Chief privy councillor Gen Prem Tinsulanonda has donated six million baht for two buildings at a temple in Nonthaburi for homeless children.

He has also recorded songs on CDs to raise money to support them.

"I sing four songs, which I composed, to earn money to help homeless children," said the privy council chairman and statesman.

Gen Prem unveiled his charity activities while giving a speech on the problems of homeless children at the Army Association in Thewes area. The discussions were organised yesterday by the Statesman Foundation.

Gen Prem said he has spent six million baht in public donations on constructing buildings for homeless children. The two buildings, which will house 40 boys and 40 girls, are being erected on a five-rai plot in the compound of Nonthaburi's Wat Suan Kaew of the renowned abbot Phra Phrayom Kanlayano.

The work, which began in April, is expected to be completed in September. The former prime minister had also sought cooperation from Paiboon Damrongchaitham, chairman of Grammy Entertainment Co, to produce CDs for homeless children.

Gen Prem composed four songs, Tobtaen Bunkhun Phaen-din (paying back gratitude to the motherland), Rurak Samakkhee (in loving and harmony), Khon Sang Pha (man making forests) and Khor Sanya (promise).

He reportedly liked the last song most as it was about the only woman he had loved. Gen Prem, who will turn 83 on Aug 26, is single.

His CDs will go on sale by the end of July.

On his birthday, Gen Prem planned to organise a concert at the Thailand Cultural Centre to earn revenues for homeless children.

During his speech, Gen Prem called on the various agencies, particularly the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, to come up with ideas on how to solve problems of homeless children.

A centre should be opened to tackle the problems, he suggested.