“Donations to government hospitals qualify for a double deduction, for example, a B2,000 donation will count as B4,000 for tax purposes,” the office’s public relations liaison, who asked not to be named, told The Phuket News.
“However, the total deductible amount must not exceed 10% of your remaining taxable income after other deductions. For instance, if your taxable income is B200,000, you can deduct B4,000 from a B2,000 donation, reducing the amount subject to tax,” she explained.
“This incentive encourages more charitable giving while easing taxpayers’ financial burden,” the officer added.
The confirmation comes as donations as of yesterday (Feb 3) reached B239,700,346, or 82.65% of the target B290 million required.
Regardless, the push for more donations continues, with Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat calling on government agencies, businesses and the public to support fundraising initiatives to build the radiation therapy building for Vachira Phuket Hospital.
The proposed six-story radiation therapy building will house a radiotherapy department, nuclear medicine department, chemotherapy room and inpatient facilities, covering approximately 9,000 square metres. The building will be located on a donated five-rai plot on Pracha Uthit Road, Ratsada, about four kilometres from Vachira Phuket Hospital.
THE NEED
At a recent event to announce the ‘Light of Hope’ charity concert to raise funds for the project, Rawiphen Kingkaew, Deputy Director of Vachira Phuket Hospital, explained, “Vachira Phuket Hospital currently serves around 1,000 new cancer patients each year from Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.
“About 500 of these patients require radiation therapy, but the hospital currently lacks the facilities to provide it. Vachira Phuket Hospital currently offers chemotherapy and surgery for cancer patients but does not have radiation therapy facilities. Instead, patients must travel to Surat Thani, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Songkhla or Bangkok for care.
“While treatment costs can be covered through various healthcare funds, patients and their families must bear the expenses for travel, accommodation and food,” she said.
“For those facing financial difficulties, these additional costs can be overwhelming, often forcing them to forgo radiation therapy ‒ reducing their chances of recovery and relief from the disease,” she added.
“While the Ministry of Public Health has allocated a budget for essential medical equipment, including a 4D high-energy particle accelerator radiation therapy machine worth B120mn and a treatment simulation and planning machine worth B32mn, a specialised building must be constructed to house them,” Ms Rawiphen said.
The hospital must complete the first phase of construction by June 2026, and was required to raise B150mn February 2025 to begin construction, she explained.
Failure to complete the facility in time would mean the hospital would have to return the allocated government budget for the radiation equipment, leaving cancer patients without essential treatment options, Ms Rawiphen noted.
BIG PUSH
To help bridge the remaining funding gap, a ‘Pha Pa Chai Saeng’ fundraising event will be held at the Mahisorn Phakdi Auditorium, located at the Phuket Provincial Government Center, this Friday and Saturday (Feb 7-8).
The robe-offering ceremony will be held from 6pm to 9pm on Friday and from 7:30am to midday on Saturday, Ms Rawiphen said.
“The Pha Pa donation is just one way to raise funds. Since the hospital takes care of all patients regardless of race or religion, I would like to invite everyone of all races and religions to join in doing good deeds and donating money to build the radiation therapy building,” she said.
Boon Yongsakul, the well-known and much repsted local businessman, has also announced that a charity concert titled ‘Light of Hope’ will be held at the 4,000-seat Indoor Gymnasium at Saphan Hin on Mar 8.
“In order for the fundraising to be effective, cover all target groups, and make full use of the production that the team has prepared, the ‘Light of Hope’ concert will be held on Mar 8, at 6pm. Artists include Charas Fuangarom, Pan Paiboon Kiatkheawkaew, Sao Sao Sao, and Bert and Heart,” he said.
Tickets are sold through Allticket (online) and at 7-Eleven stores. Prices start at B1,000 to B3,500. VIP tickets can be bought at Vachira Phuket Hospital, he added.
Mr Boon is also the main organiser of the ‘Saeng Raek’ (First Light) charity concert by ‘Toon Bodyslam’ to be held at the indoor arena from 6pm on Mar 9.
A ‘Pre-Concert Event’ with entertainment, food and donor showcases will be held at the parking lot of the Indoor Gymnasium from Mar 7-9.
The event will be held from 4pm to 10pm and feature live music, children’s fashion shows, performances by Phuket MC Club, Zumba Line Dance, ballroom dancing, and food stalls. The event will also include sponsor booths showcasing contributors to the hospital’s construction project.
Meanwhile, Honorary Consuls of Phuket across Phuket will be hosting a ‘Glitter Cancer Ball’ charity dinner at Courtyard by Marriott Phuket on Saturday (Feb 8), starting at 6:30pm. Tickets are priced at B3,500 and B5,000.
Not to be forgotten, the ‘Phuket Release Band’, in collaboration with the Ajarn Sukree Charoensuk Foundation, will hold a charity concert at the at Royal Phuket City Hotel from 11am to 8pm on Mar 29.
Dr Sukree explained at a launch event in Phuket last week that the ‘Release Band’ Choir Project began as a research initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of life for the elderly through music.
The project, launched in 2019, has since expanded to 13 bands across 12 provinces, including Yala, Surat Thani and Phuket.
The objectives of the charity concert are:
- To create engaging and creative activities that instill excitement and pride among members of the Phuket bands.
- To raise funds for Vachira Phuket Hospital for the construction of a radiation therapy building and provide additional support for elderly residents in the province.
- To promote social awareness about the benefits of music and creative activities in enhancing the quality of life for senior citizens.
The event on Mar 29 will feature a choir of 80 elderly singers performing a diverse selection of songs in Thai, Chinese, Malay and international languages, Dr Sukree said.
Attendees can also enjoy a ballroom dancing performance by band members and a special cultural showcase, ‘Patraporn Yonya’, celebrating traditional local attire.
The charity concert is expected to draw significant public interest and support from individuals who believe in the cause of enhancing elderly well-being and advancing cancer treatment in Phuket. The organisers encourage participation from all sectors to help make a meaningful impact in the community.
For those interested in supporting this initiative, further details and donation opportunities can be obtained from the Ajarn Sukree Charoensuk Foundation and Vachira Phuket Hospital.
HOTE TO DONATE
Pramookpisit Achariyachai, Chairman of the hospital’s Development Committee, expressed confidence that the fundraising goal is within reach, noting that a recent ‘Kathin robe-offering ceremony’ on Jan 23 helped to raise total donations to B213mn.
“We are close to our target. With collective effort, we can achieve this and provide essential cancer treatment to those in need,” he said.
The public is encouraged to contribute to the construction fund and help give new hope to cancer patients. Donations can be made via Krung Thai Bank, account name “Donation for the Radiotherapy Building of Vachira Phuket Hospital,” account number 805-3-11019-3.
For more details, please contact **Vachira Phuket Hospital at 076-361234 ext 0.