The donation was officially presented by Stuart Reading, Deputy CEO at Laguna Resorts & Hotels, alongside Paul Wilson, Managing Director of Laguna Phuket, and Prapa Hemmin. AVP, Events and Strategic Partnerships - Laguna Phuket.
The funds were received by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, joined by Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Dr Wirasak Lothongkam along with Kongsak Khoopongsakorn and Montawee Hongyok, both representing the Phuket Chamber of Commerce.
The donation is divided into two key initiatives: B6mn will go toward the construction of the ‘Comprehensive Radiotherapy Center Vachira Phuket Hospital’, which aims to enhance cancer treatment services for patients in Phuket and surrounding areas.
The remaining B3.87mn will be used to purchase land and expand roadways behind Wat Tha Ruea, increasing the road width to 10 metres. The road expansion is expected to improve traffic flow and serve as a bypass route to ease congestion at the Heroines Monument.
Governor Sophon expressed his gratitude on behalf of Phuket Province, acknowledging Laguna Phuket’s contributions to both healthcare and infrastructure.
“This support from the private sector is invaluable for the province’s development. The radiotherapy centre will provide hope for cancer patients throughout the Andaman region, while the road expansion project will help alleviate traffic congestion,” he said.
The donation by Laguna Phuket came as total donations funded by the public for the cancer centre reached B356,364,653 yesterday.
The initial target for fundraising efforts for a cancer centre at Vachira Phuket Hospital stood at B290mn. That target was exceeded last month, with the announcement that extra funds raised will be used in buying the equipment needed for the facility.
Vachira Phuket Hospital is the main government hospital on the island, and is operated by the Thai Ministry of Public Health.
Since fundraising for the centre began, officials have been heavily promoting that it will be the first ‒ and only ‒ government cancer treatment centre in the six Andaman provinces.