Leaders of the Kophai Community’s acclaimed neighborhood anti-drug program thanked Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome for five years of support that culminated in a national award last month.
Community President Wirat Joijinda, who also heads the Pattaya and Sriracha Anti-Drug Network, led a neighborhood delegation to city hall July 12 to thank the mayor for guidance and support since the formation of Kophai’s Mother of the Nation anti-drug campaign in 2008.
Kophai Community President Wirat Joijinda (7th right) leads his committee to thank Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and Pattaya City for five years of support that culminated in Kophai receiving a national award last month.
On June 26, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board Region 2 selected the Kophai Community program as the only one on the Eastern Seaboard to be recognized by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for its effectiveness in preventing and solving drugs issues.
“Since 2008, we have worked hard with Pattaya under the Mother of the Nation Fund until the community has been honored as the center of education for at the district level and many agencies have visited to observe,” Wirat said. “With the work that has produced concrete results, our community has attracted the attention of ONCB Region 2 since we have produced results.”
Wirat said the prime minister praised the group “for having volunteers working to solve drug issues within the community and requested myself and the team to continue working for the nation. I thank Pattaya’s administrators, Banglamung District, the Pattaya Police Station and Pattaya Public Health Department for having supported us and guided us ,pushing the citizens sector to solve drugs issues.”
“The reason that the Kophai Community has gained such success is the determination of the community committee, which had fought alongside Pattaya City Hall,” Itthiphol said. “I congratulate the community for having been honored by the public sector. This is a good opportunity for other communities to be inspired and have the motivation to push for their communities to work hard to eradicate drugs from Pattaya.”
Kophai secretary Kalyarat Polyiem said the group works continuously and without expectation of funding from the public. “We have always pushed forward improving the drugs situation. Currently, it can be said that the situation has vastly improved because we take care of our children with love.”
