The dark side does good
By Wasita Cespedes
Photos by Wasita Cespedes and
courtesy of Red Cross Society of Thailand
Did you know
At the time of its release, Star Wars was the highest grossing film of all time.
The 501st Legion is an international Star Wars fan organisation, whose members like to dress up as Stormtroopers, Clone Troopers and other villains from the Star Wars movie series. The group is also famous for their charity events. At Bangkok’s Red Cross office on May 4, known to fans worldwide as Star Wars Day, the group held an event encouraging people to donate blood called May the 4th Be With You.
Student Weekly went along to this fun and charitable event to chat with some Stormtroopers and Star Wars fans about what the movies mean to them and about participating in 501st Legion community events.
“The 501st Legion is a Star Wars fan club group who do volunteer charity work. We mostly gather donations for needy children or appear as entertainers at charity events.”
Panupong Korwilai,
Graphic Designer
“Star Wars contains some philosophy that teaches people to live our lives in a balanced way. My favourite character is Darth Vader because he was misguided and took the wrong path, but he eventually came back as a good person. The lesson is that everybody has a second chance in life.”
Surapong Lertsithichai,
Professor
“I donate blood as often as I can. But wearing a Stormtrooper costume and donating in the name of Star Wars 501st Legion is a once in a lifetime experience. It feels a lot better than when I normally do it!”
Suttinan Boonsomkiat,
Designer
“The Jedi in Star Wars are like Zen characters. They use Buddhist ideas of detachment and not giving up. My favourite character in the movies is Luke Skywalker, because he represents hope and inspires people to keep fighting.”
Udomsak Ratanotayanonth,
Vocal Coach
Vocabulary
- donate (v): to allow doctors to remove blood or a body organ in order to help somebody who needs it
charitable (adj): helping people who are poor or in need
needy (adj): having not enough money, food, clothes, etc.
misguided (adj): wrong because you have understood or judged a situation badly
