Phuket scrambles to raise funds for Nepal

PHUKET: Donations to the ‘Phuket Together For Nepal Disaster Victims’ fund can now be made directly to a joint bank account held by the Phuket Governor and the President of the Phuket branch of the Thai-Nepalese Foundation.

The Phuket branch of the Thai-Nepalese Foundation, officially called the Shree Bhagawat Dhaam Sanatan Mandir Foundation, has already raised more than 400,000 baht to help survivors of the earthquake, which has claimed the lives of more than 4,000 people, with the death toll steadily rising, and directly affecting more than 8 million people.

“I discussed the idea with Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong and the Nepalese Embassy yesterday,” said Phuket branch foundation president Panuphong Limbuprasertkul. “We agreed to hold an official event tomorrow to raise awareness.”

The money raised through the fund will be handed over to the Nepalese Embassy on May 7.

“We prefer that people make money donations, because it will be much easier to use than trying to transport other relief items to Nepal,” Mr Panuphong said.

Two days of powerful aftershocks following the earthquake have left millions terror-stricken, as water, food and electricity are now in short supply, and fears of outbreaks of diseases begin to mount.

“We are trying our best to help the victims. More bodies are being discovered every day. However, we believe that sending money to bolster relief efforts by May 7 won’t be too late,” Mr Panuphong said.

“We have just over a week to collect more donations and make a difference to the millions that are suffering.”

Donations can be made at the Damrongtham Center (ombudsman’s office) at Phuket Provincial Hall; directly at Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket Town; at the Phuket Red Cross Center at Saphan Hin; or any government office on the island.

Donations can also be made directly into either of the following accounts:

Krung Thai Bank, bank account number 8050669254
Kasikornbank [Kbank], account number 5322397730

— Chutharat Plerin