Severe floods in Bangkok in 1995 caused not only massive destruction to the lives and property of local residents but also pain and suffering. The damage brought by the catastrophic floods was so heavy that the public sector and charitable organizations alone could not provide prompt and widespread assistance. 

Concerned over the plights of the flood victims, Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita, affectionately known among the Thai people as “Princess Pa,” began to collect donations and visit flood victims in Bang Phlat District of Bangkok on 29 October 1995.

Following the situation, the Friends in Need (of “Pa”) Volunteers Foundation came into existence to help those suffering from natural and man-made disasters, especially floods. Initiated by Her Royal Highness, the Foundation is run through the Thai Red Cross Society. It achieved formal status as a registered foundation on 21 November 2001.

Her Royal Highness served as the President of the Foundation. Since then, the Foundation has expanded its operations and encouraged more members of the public and private sectors to help people in trouble and in time of need. Emphasis is placed on humanitarian assistance and mental rehabilitation. 

Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali Krom Muen Suddhanarinatha, then Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali, graciously agreed to serve as Permanent Honorary President of the Friends in Need (of “Pa”) Volunteers Foundation, in which she played a vital role in giving encouragement to the Foundation’s committee and operators.

Apart from assisting disaster-affected people and helpless victims by recruiting volunteers to carry out the missions, the Friends in Need (of “Pa”) Volunteers Foundation also conducts other special activities. For instance, it offers mental rehabilitation for disaster victims, provides them with temporary shelters, and helps establish child care centers to ease the burdens of affected families.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha was also interested in water management. Through this Foundation, the Princess set up telemetering systems in watershed areas in many provinces, using a comprehensive management approach involving the local community. The telemetry collects data from real time sensors, processes the information, and provides warnings. This timely warning enables reservoir operators to reduce water levels, people to reinforce their homes, and authorities to be prepared.

All organizations joining the activities of the Friends in Need (of “Pa”) Volunteers Foundation have been well aware of the spirit of volunteerism and its charitable purposes. Her Royal Highness served as a role model for humanitarian work and a source of inspiration for people in need.