Pattaya Tourist Support Fund committee announce latest figures
The Pattaya Tourist Support Fund (PTSF) committee met at the Royal Cliff Hotel to update the public on the progress of the fund and how it was created to provide assistance to tourists in distress.
The April 27 meeting was chaired by Banglamung Permanent Secretary Prachaya Unpetchworakan with Sanga Kijsamrej, treasurer and Panga Vathanakul director of the PTSF.
Sanga gave an outline of how the fund got started, relating the tragic story of how on December 2, 2009 an accident involved two boats just offshore near the Pattaya pier that claimed 2 Chinese tourists and left 6 seriously injured.
The Pattaya Tourist Support Fund (PTSF) committee meets at the Royal Cliff Hotel to update the public on the progress of the fund.
He said that the fund was initiated as one of the first projects of Pracha Taerat, then governor of Chonburi Province. Governor Pracha’s concept was to raise funds from the Pattaya business community, who rely on tourism for their livelihoods, and to use the money as compensation for tourists who are victims of crime within the city.
A committee was established to administer the fund, with members drawn from local government and the private sector.
The committee of 14 urgently approved a relief fund for the victims giving 50,000 baht to the family of the 2 who lost their lives and another 140,000 shared amongst the 6 injured.
Sanga said, “It was necessary to act quickly to maintain the good image of our city and to show that the Thai people care and for all our visitors.”
Panga Vathanakul, MD of Royal Cliff Hotels Group, said, “When any incident occurs that involves tourists to Pattaya, we should not only bring them flowers but we should also be ready to assist them in healing their ill feelings. I strongly urge that all businesses who deal with tourists must have liability insurance to protect everyone concerned.”
The PTSF announced that the total amount of the fund stands at 830,000 baht. There have been no donors in the past year and the committee is planning to ask city hall for financial support to add to the fund for emergency use.
