When Paskorn Dadsipai (better known to his friends as Dam) was a child growing up in Sakon Nakhon Province in one of the poorest parts of Thailand, he witnessed loved ones being cremated on funeral pyres. He wondered why they could not have a crematorium, as in the more affluent parts of the kingdom.

In Thailand, crematoria are not funded by the state but by the villagers themselves and his village of Baanthawatnua is poorer than most. Despite this, work was started five years ago on the building of a crematorium at the village temple. Since then progress has been, at best, sporadic, with work on the construction only able to take place when funding has been available.

Dam now lives in Durham City and is employed as a chef the city’s Zen Thai Restaurant. When he spoke to his friends of his frustration, the North East Thai community decided to rally round to help the cause.

They have decided to hold a Thai charity evening in Coxhoe Workingmen’s Club on Sunday 28th of August, which is the evening before August bank holiday. Some of the top Thai chefs in the North of England have volunteered to prepare, what will be an excellent Thai buffet. Entertainment consists of a Thai disco, with James from the Hi-Lights disco kindly supplying the equipment free of charge. Other entertainment consists of Thai classical dance and there is even a Thai ladyboy show. Coxhoe will never have witnessed anything like it! There will also be an auction, spirits raffle and tombola. The Pan Din Thai restaurant in Seaham has agreed to be the main event sponsor.

The fun starts at 6:00pm and the tickets are to be priced at only £15. It is hoped the evening will raise the necessary funds that will finally make the crematorium operational.

Tickets, which are expected to sell out quickly, are available from The Pan Din Thai restaurant Tel: 0191 5812348 or Dave Cartner on 0754 0095 386.

Based on information supplied by David Cartner.