The event, held at Phuket Rajabhat University, was officially opened by Kuheng Yaowahasan, Secretary to the Minister of Justice, yesterday (May 14).
He was joined by Duangdao Kiatpisansakul, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection, who delivered the opening report, along with Phuket Vice Governor Suwit Phansengiam and other local and national officials.
The fair is part of a government effort to tackle widespread debt issues through voluntary mediation, while ensuring that financial discipline and debtor integrity are maintained.
The Ministry of Justice reports that the first year of the fair saw 89 events across 76 provinces, assisting more than 132,000 debtors with combined debts exceeding B23 billion.
In Phuket, where economic growth has not shielded low-income residents from rising household debt, the two-day event (May 14-15) brings together more than 10 agencies.
These include the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection, the Department of Enforcement, the Phuket Provincial Justice Office as well as banks, government agencies and private sector partners.
Organisers expect to assist over 4,000 attendees in resolving debts totaling around B354 million.
Debtors attending the fair can access a range of support measures. These include deferred payments, interest and fine reductions, installment adjustments, and in some cases, suspension of lawsuits or asset seizures.
Participants will also receive financial education to help prevent future debt problems, explained an official report of the launch.
For further assistance, the public can contact the Justice Hotline at 1111 (press 77) or the Department of Enforcement at 1111 (press 79). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day.