I promised to write more about the fire and have left some of you hanging a bit. Sorry about that. I guess I don't know lots. It seems that nobody was killed or seriously injured in the fire, and it also looks like basic needs are being taken care of by the government for the most part. Those people who were displaced have either found shelter elsewhere or they are being accommodated under one of the nearby apartment buildings. By this, I mean that they have a small area in which to place a few belongings and to spread out a sleeping mat on the concrete. They have been provided with mosquito netting, a security guard, some clothing, and daily food and water. Reportedly, each household unit is also receiving some monetary support, which will be portioned out over a period of time about $100 each time for a total of about $1000. Once this is given out, then I guess the people are on their own.

In the early hours of the morning the night the fire started, I went around with one of our team giving out sandwiches to people who were still on the streets, waiting to see if they could return to their homes. There was an elderly couple sheltered in one of the storefront shops for the night. The man, aged 80, said there home was gone as they lived just behind where the fire first started. He also said that this is the third time they have had a fire damage their house, but this time it completely destroyed the home. They are among those sleeping under the apartment block right now. The wife told me that the family couldn't help them. She also said that the government would not provide them with a new place as they were only renting, but I think they are receiving the same deal as others. When one of our Thai team members had visited them, the old man said they had just been given money by their daughter. My teammate guesses that I, the Westerner, am perceived to be a kind millionaire who will take pity and buy them a house. Summary: it is a little bit tricky right now to figure out what  and when "help" would be most helpful. Maybe it will be clearer as people start trying to rebuild.