We catch up with Michael Biedassek (right) and David Pfizenmaier (left), the Thaigers (Thai-German, got it?) who are behind various campaigns for positive social changes. Michael is the managing director of bangkokvanguards, a purpose-driven travel operator that raises awareness of Bangkok's unexplored communities.
You may remember David as the guy who dressed up as Superman to encourage Thais to vote in the general election earlier this year. Both started their volunteering journey during the 2011 flood crisis when they organised "Wipe The Tide" campaign along with other expats and Thais to clean car windshields for donations towards flood victims. They're organising "Santa Cause 2019" to spread joy and bring gifts to underprivileged children tomorrow and already have activities in the pipeline that you may want to be a part of.
How did you end up living here? How did you guys meet?
Michael: I had been coming here for school holidays to visit my Thai family in Samut Songkhram but, when I turned 18, I decided to move here to explore my interests and potential. I have lived here for 16 years now. David and I met through a Thai forum on a German social media platform. We both had a passion for basketball and exploring, and we're both half Thais and thus we connected from online to the real world.
David: Mike moved to Thailand before I did. Before that, I was working as a financial consultant in Europe. I lost contact with my Thai roots after my Thai mum passed away when I was 12. At the age of 21, I came here and found my Thai family by sheer luck. I started coming here for holiday more and more until I realised I wanted to live here. We co-founded bangkokvanguards together in 2012.
You two have done many volunteer activities. What inspires you to take action?
M: I think if you've explored Bangkok, you will find that the level of development is very uneven. If you stop, listen to people, see their children and living conditions, you can't ignore that.
D: I feel lucky with my life but it hasn't always been easy or free of any tragedy. It's too long to get into that but basically, I'm fortunate to have several mentors in my life, including my mum, who have taught me to give back to society and support those in need.
What have you learned from doing these activities? What kind of challenges do you face?
M: The challenge is how to address social or development problems in a sustainable way. Even though these activities may look like short-term support, they have a long-term psychological effect on people -- beneficiaries and volunteers. My team and I are working on more sustained efforts, as well. These volunteer experiences are part of the fuel that drives us.
D: The work that needs to be done prior to the event can be time-consuming and tiring. It ranges from asking people for their time, doing pitches, meeting with companies and so on but I'm happy to do this. The positive impact on the volunteers, as well as the children and the communities make all the hard work and sleepless nights worthwhile. As for Santa Cause, the teachers have told us the memories of our events and our love inspire the kids to keep themselves motivated.
What are you guys planning for Santa Cause Bangkok 2019?
M: This year I'd like to focus not only on the kids but on the elderly, as well, especially those who are bed-ridden and in the final stages of their lives. I think showing up as Santa with small gifts and things that the elderly or their caretakers need will lift up their spirit. It's very simple, just show up, have empathy and bring humour and a good spirit. Don't let any problems, poverty or illness they may have be a reason to treat them with pity or make the situation look somber.
D: On Dec 21, we're going to the Khlong San community and will be at the local school to meet about 80 kids, between the ages of three and eight. Twenty volunteers who are dressed up as Santa, Captain America and other characters will play games with them and give them gift bags and snacks.
What's your next project?
M: I'm organising The Bangkok Heritage Week (www.bangkokheritageweek.com) in the last weekend of March and the first weekend of April. The aim is to create awareness and engagement for heritage preservation through city-wide exhibitions, guided tours, talks and open houses. We need to shift the image of heritage away from palaces and monuments towards vernacular or local heritage which can include everything from canals, communities, street food, arts and intangible heritage. We're losing a lot of that due to modernisation and urbanisation without regard to the diversity and beauty of our historic neighborhoods. I want this event to be a gateway to reconnect to our roots and not only preserve but adapt heritage so it survives and stays relevant in our ever-evolving city. It can be an opportunity for inclusive and sustainable urban development.
D: I'll soon introduce a free basketball course called SOL BKK for 12 kids, between the ages of 10 and 13. They'll get free basketball training in the Makkasan area. It starts on Jan 18, 2020 and runs for six weeks.
As an avid explorer of Bangkok, what areas do you think people should know more about and why?
D: Makkasan park aka the railway depot. I doubt if the developer would keep part of it as a public park as promised when they flip it for commercial purposes. It would be sad to see the largest green space in Makkasan gone. I live in the area and see its green beauty every day from my balcony. Bangkok doesn't need to make that go away to make way for malls and condos, especially with our air pollution.
M: I think the riverside quarters of Bangkok around Songwat Road and Chinatown great. You will find a lot of hidden gems. As many cool places lay hidden in the alleys not many people find their way there but Bangkok is a city that rewards the explorer as such we should support those local businesses, especially the ones that preserve the city's old heritage.
Learn how can you be a part of the Santa squad at fb.com/SantaCauseBangkok.
