A ‘phaapaa donation’ event, a traditional Thai fundraising practice, will be held at Vachira Phuket Hospital on Feb 8, 2025, Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat announced yesterday (Oct 29).
The event is being organised by the Phuket Provincial Office in partnership with Vachira Phuket Hospital, the Nomklao Foundation and the Vachira Phuket Hospital Development Committee.
Governor Sophon highlighted the urgent need for a specialised cancer treatment centre on the Andaman coast to improve access to cancer care for the people of Phuket and neighbouring provinces.
“This hospital treats all patients, regardless of race or religion, and we hope everyone will join us in building this much-needed facility. We’re grateful for the support of Luang Por Sai Thong Techathammo, a revered monk from Chaiyaphum Province, who has graciously agreed to be the patron of the phaapaa offering,” he said.
The new six-story radiation therapy building will cover 9,000 square metres on donated land on Pracha Uthit Road in Ratsada, about four kilometres from Vachira Phuket Hospital. It will house departments for radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, chemotherapy and inpatient care, significantly expanding Phuket’s capacity to treat cancer locally.
Pramookpisitt Achariyachai, Chairman of the Vachira Phuket Hospital Development Committee, noted the phased approach to construction.
“We need B150mn by February 2025 to begin the first phase, aiming for completion and to deliver the first radiation therapy by Sept 9, 2026. Once built, patients from Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi can access comprehensive cancer treatment closer to home, eliminating the need to travel long distances,” explained Mr Pramookpisitt, well known as Founder and President of Kata Group Resorts.
The initiative builds on the momentum of past efforts, such as the successful ‘Radiation Run’ campaign held by the Nomklao Foundation in March, which raised over B7mn and saw support from approximately 4,000 participants.
Vachira Phuket Hospital’s director, Dr Wirasak Lothongkham, stressed the growing demand for local radiation therapy services.
“Every year, we handle around 1,000 new cancer cases, with half requiring radiation. Currently, we must refer these patients to distant provinces like Surat Thani or Bangkok. This can mean significant expenses for patients, who face costs for travel, lodging, and meals,” he said.
Dr Wirasak also noted that for many financially constrained families, such costs deter treatment, limiting patients’ chances for recovery.
An official report of teh announcement event yesterday marked that donations can be made through Krungthai Bank, account name ‘Donation for the Radiation Therapy Building, Vachira Phuket Hospital,’ account number 805 3 11019 3.
All contributions are tax-deductible, the report noted.
The report did not give any explanation as to why central government funds were not allocated to the project, as Vachira Phuket Hospital is operated and funded by the Ministry of Public Health.
Under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s recently appointed Cabinet, Somsak Thepsuthin is now serving as the Minister of Public Health, the same position he served under Srettha Thavisin’s Cabinet.
Under the government of Prayut Chan-o-cha, Mr Somsak served as the Minister of Justice.