Italian Stranded In Thailand Volunteers For Traffic Duty Amid COVID-19

Foreign volunteer in Nakhon Ratchasima



Image adapted from: Khaosod English

As international flights have been banned due to COVID-19, a number of foreigners have been left stranded in Thailand. Besides waiting till the pandemic ends, some of them made a move to help society. One Italian tourist in Nakhon Ratchasima is one of them.


Helped out by doing traffic duty



Manuel Placate on traffic duty
Image credit: Khaosod English

Donning a neon vest is Manuel Placate, a 30-year-old Italian engineer who was left stranded in Thailand for about 3 months due to COVID-19.  During this difficult time, Placate has been a volunteer in Nakhon Ratchasima to help traffic police officers and motorists in need.

Mr Placate visited Thailand for a holiday with his girlfriend, who is Thai. But before he got the chance to travel back home, COVID-19 had already spread across the country, leading to international flights getting cancelled. 

During his time in Thailand, he worked with his girlfriend’s father, retired police officer Lt. Capt. Wibul Sridamrong. They teamed up and helped local police officers as they noticed the increasing number of cars on Mitraphap Road.

On 1st June 2020, he gave an interview to Khaosod English, saying, “I like helping everybody. I help out father [referring to Mr. Sridamrong].”

We’re happy to see that people like Mr Placate are helping Thai people even though they are in a tough situation and are far from home. We also hope that the situation will be back to normal soon so that they can travel back home to see their loved ones.

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