 BCTFN
British Community in Thailand Foundation
for the Needy
Contributions to Thai charities by
members of the British Community in Thailand reach back to
the war years. In 1968 the
United Kingdom Committee for Thai Charities was formed
to organise and run the Ploenchit Fair
and disburse the funds raised there. throughout the
subsequent year. Committee members personally visit the
charities, ensure the smooth running of the projects and the
application of funds. Over the years the UKCTC - from 1999,
BCTFN - has given direct help to groups in need through the
provision of various basic necessities and equipment to
improve health care, nutrition, education, agricultural
projects, the disabled and self-help schemes throughout
Thailand. The list of recipients of donations is long and
includes charitable funds,
 foundations, institutions,
hospitals, schools and many other needy groups.
In 1957 the first
Ploenchit Fair was held in the
grounds of the British Embassy and raised Baht 78,000 for
Thai charities. The Ploenchit Fair
was conceived for the British community to join together to
raise finds for Thai charities.
In May 1968 the
United Kingdom for Thai Charities (UKCTC)
was officially formed to administer the
Ploenchit Fair and the disbursement of funds to
charities. The voluntary committee comprises mainly
long-time residents from all areas of the British community
in Thailand including a representative from the
BCCT. In a major development,
in 1999 the UKCTC was granted Foundation status under the
name of the British Community in Thailand Foundation for the
Needy (BCTFN).
Funds raised at
each Ploenchit Fair are allocated
over the following year to a wide variety of projects for
needy and deserving causes, all of which are first approved
by the BCTFN. The
BCTFN Committee meets
monthly to review new proposals for assistance and assess
the progress of current projects. Emphasis is given to
sustainable self-help projects and long term community
projects in particular health/medical, educational
(particularly of the physically, mentally or socially
handicapped), communal projects and disaster relief.
The 1999
Ploenchit Fair, the first under the
new name of BCTFN, raised a
record sum of Baht 6.4 million for Thai charities. In
addition more than 26,000 people visited the
Ploenchit Fair, 3,000 more than in
1998. BCTFN President Carolyn
Tarrant MBE and her team of organisers are to be
congratulated for putting on yet another excellent
Ploenchit Fair. Thanks are also
always due to the British
Ambassador and his staff and the 2,000 stall-holders and
volunteers. The Grand Raffle organised by the
BCCT also broke all previous
records and broke the Baht 1 million mark for the first
time.
You can see a list of
Projects supported by BCTFN
here.
As an example of
the funds distributed to the Needy, the total allocation for
projects in calendar year 2000 was in excess of Baht 8.5
million.
On Monday 5th
June 2000, the BCCT joined
with the BCTFN to make
donations to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's
Foundation in honour of His Majesty King Bhumibol's Sixth
Cycle Birthday in 1999.
On behalf of
the BCCT, Chairman Jeremy
Stewardson presented two cheques for Baht 250,000 each to
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for The Anandamahidol
Foundation and The Fund for the Development of Children and
Youth in Remote Areas. Mrs. Carolyn Tarrant, President of
the BCTFN presented two
cheques for Baht 500,000 each for HRH Princess Maha Chakri
Sirindhorn's Foundation and The Fund for the Development of
Children and Youth in Remote Areas.
The Baht 1
million donation by BCTFN to
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is one of six special
Baht 1 million projects that will be supported during 2000
in honour of His Majesty's sixth cycle birthday. In addition
to the above so far the BCTFN
has purchased an ambulance for Manorom Hospital. A further
four projects will be allocated special funds.
Despite the
economic downturn since 1997 British companies continue to
give generously to Thai charities either directly or through
donations to and support of the annual Ploenchit Fair. The
BCCT will continue to work
very closely with the BCTFN
to support the needy in Thailand.
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