Phuket raises B12.6mn for Japan, flooded South

PHUKET: The Phuket provincial fund-raising effort for victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami and the flooding in the South totaled nearly 13 million baht.

The handover ceremony, held at the Royal Phuket City Hotel on Sunday night, was chaired jointly by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha and Anchalee Vanich Thepabutr, Secretary-General to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Among the many VIPs in attendance were Members of Parliament Tossaporn Thepabutr and Raewat Areerob, Phuket Vice Governor Weerawat Janpen, Phuket Provincial Administration Organization President Paiboon Upatising, Thai Red Cress Phuket Chapter President Nalinee Augkaradacha and Phuket City Municipality Mayor Somjai Suwansupapana.

Representing Japan at the gathering was Japanese Embassy minister Takashi Okada.

At 10pm, all present moved to the nearby Queen Sirikit Park to open a concert entitled “Spirits of Phuket to Japan and the South”, which was broadcast nationwide on the state-run Channel 11 network.

Japan rock star Yuki Masahiko, guitarist of popular Japanese rock band Lucifer, performed as special guest, along with Thai performers including Blackhead, Jetseter, B Peerapat, and others.

After the concert, Gov Tri handed over a total of 5.5mn baht in funding to Minister Okada.

The funds were collected at a variety of locations around the island starting from March 16.

Gov Tri also presented a cheque to MP Tossaporn Thepabutr in the amount of 6.1mn baht.

The funds will be distributed to victims of floods and landslides in other Southern provinces, including Krabi and Nakhon Sri Thammarat.

The remainder, one million baht, was used to pay expenses incurred in the fund-raising drive.

Gov Tri thanked all those who contributed and help organize the collection effort.

Minister Takashi Okada thanked everyone who made donations and said the offering showed true friendship from the people of Phuket to the people of Japan.

The act of kindness would be forever remembered, he said.

— Pimwara Choksakulpan