Former U.S. President and Nobel Peace laureate Jimmy Carter, left, and chairman of the board of Habitat for Humanity Thailand, Chainarong Monthienvichienchai, raise up a banner during the opening ceremony of the 26th annual Habitat for Humanity Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project at a hotel in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Ex President Carter showed to an estimated 2,000 volunteers from all over the world a special image of a Habitat logo painted for the occasion by an elephant at a local tourist site. (AP)

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter participates in the "Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project 2009", as part of the Habitat for Humanity program, in Chiang Mai province, north of Bangkok, November 16, 2009. Carter and his wife Rosalynn, along with about 3000 volunteers, will build 82 homes for needy families in Chiang Mai. (Reuters)