Community on Hua Hin Today

Free breakfast for children--Khao Gaeng

Mr Charnchai Chartmero or Loong Gluay, 49, the owner of a khao gaeng stall which parks beside Petchkasem Road told Hua Hin Today that he had a small grocery shop before but couldn't fight big chain supermarket therefore he turned to sell steamed rice with curries and stirred fried food. He chose the location which is on the footpath beside Petchkasem Road near San Paolo Hospital.

It is because high oil price he realizes his clients are low-paid government workers, office staff, general-work hired men, and especially small students and their parents who he fears the main group of people who suffers high priced commodity goods, therefore he prices adult B20 for a big full plate of rice topped with side dishes. For kindergarten, primary and secondary school students, he prepares different one-dish servings such as egg fried rice, minced pork in boiled rice, sweet-egg, deep fried sausage, soup, stir-fried vegetable, green curry, vegetable curry, tom kha kai, etc. line up in a buffet style which children can eat for free.

Loong Gluay said that he offers free buffet for children for so many years that many government offices hear about his staff they visit him and give him sacks of rice to cook for those children. Recently, Prachuab Khirikhan Red Cross led by Mrs Jammari Sunanan, Prachuab governor's wife, gave him money as scholarship to his children who are studying in Petchburi. He and his wife are proud to be able to help his fellow Hua Hin residents and received words and acts of gratitude. He would like to thank the government offices and the Red Cross that help him and his family to be able to provide more help to the society.

"My wife and I decided to offer free breakfast to students because oil price has been soaring up for the past 5 years. Most of our customers are poor and they suffer from high oil price which makes almost every essential products' prices soar up as well. Besides, they are usually busy and have to earn their living which stop them from cooking for their children. We as people who already have to cook for our living wouldn't mind cooking for more children for free. My wife and I want to give something back to the society I believe we all owe to where we live. I know that when we die we cannot take anything with us to the next world, so whether rich or poor, why not help our fellow human beings?," questioned Loong Gluay.

Loong Gluay further said that he also provides many types of fresh fruits for his customers besides big size food and free breakfast for children. "My stall is always full of different types of banana, that's why children started to call me "Loong Gluay" (Uncle Banana). I like the name if the children want to call me by this nickname. It reminds me of the children that show up at my stall every morning and it also makes me realize that I have such a wonderful and kind wife who always supports me and stands beside me," he said proudly.

However, at the moment Hua Hin municipality sent Loong Gluay a notice that he should move his stall from the footpath because it violates the municipality law. Loong Gluay acknowledged the notice and accepted to move. He is interested in speaking to anyone at all who knows or has a small place for Loong Gluay to put his khao gaeng stall, please call him at 032-532-621 and 09-331-2621, anytime of the day.