If one was to arrive on Phuket today, without any prior understanding or knowledge of the workings of the island, one would be forgiven for thinking there are just a handful of charity organisations.

The ones that are always featured in the local press, receiving novelty cheques from hotels and other media-savvy companies.

You?d be forgiven, but you?d be wrong.

There are many other less public and arguably more effective charities and networking associations.

The Grumpy Old Men Society is a group of expat men who meet twice a month to share gripes and the odd beer.

They donate a few hundred baht each time they meet and in doing so raise much needed funds for some of the lesser known causes on the island.

Their first project was the purchase of a 50,000 baht Water Purification System for Phuket Sunshine Village that went on to save the orphanage thousands of baht each year.

Warren Crowe, Chairman of GOMS said that he thought that sometimes the GOMS didn?t get the credit that they
should, ?We?ve done loads of good for the people of this island, said Warren, ?We?ve bought traditional Thai Musical
instruments for kids and most recently provided food and toiletries along with walking frames to the Elderly Thai Peoples Home at Thalang."

If you would like to assist in the GOMS current project: Installing a Water Purification System for the Home and Life
Foundation Orphanage in Phang Nha, why not attend a GOMS meeting: held from 6pm every first and third Monday of each month at Chalong Pier Beer Garden. Embrace your inner grumpiness.