The Second Annual Trio for Justice brought together people from a wide mix of cultures to enjoy the scenic beauty of Samkaempaeng and to run and ride to support social justice.

“The Trio for Justice was successful in building bridges with the local community, visitors from abroad and Chiang Mai residents working together,” according to event spokesperson, Mr Naruedol Wannarat.

Bridges Across Borders South East Asia Community Legal Education Initiative (BABSEACLE) organised the event, which offered a choice of a Half Marathon, fun run or bike ride at Sankampeang, approximately 48 kms outside of Chiang Mai.

Mr Wannarat, the BABSEACLE Thailand Office Deputy Director, explained that “We could not have organised this event without help from our partners and the community, who provided ambulance, nursing staff, and police support, and helped with food and water.”

The event, which is held each November, took participants through the rainforest, alongside lakes and mountains and through a reforestation project, ending at Meaphahaen school, a BABSEACLE supported partner.

Meaphahaen school was delighted to receive a number of bicycles donated by participants of this year’s Trio for Justice.  The bicycles will be used by the students to travel to and from school.  Most of the students at the school are orphans from Northern ethnic minority communities.

Participants in the Trio for Justice also helped to raise funds for social justice causes in the region, including: prisoner rights, juvenile justice, discrimination, citizen rights, statelessness, environmental issues, access to health care, sex worker rights, child rights, and helping to build university based Community Legal Education (CLE) programs.

“We are very grateful for the support of BABSEACLE partners at this year’s event – including the students who joined us from Chiang Mai Juvenile Detention Centre; the women from Wildflower Single Mothers Home; and the Powerhouse Gym staff who helped with logistic support,” Mr Wannarat said.  “Next year we hope to attract even more supporters by engaging a range of other organisations that are involved in social Justice.”

“For those who were involved the event combined a fun day out with the chance to really make a difference for the most socially disadvantaged in our community,” Mr Wannarat said.

Read more about this event at www.trioforjustice.org.

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Contact for Additional Information: Mat Olive – 0810351076; [email protected]

Available for Interview: Mr Naruedol Wannarat  – 0869149541; [email protected]