Chaipattana Foundation Aid and Restoration Centers for Flood Victims

Thailand’s worst floods in decades prompted Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to request that the Chaipattana Foundation offer its first ad hoc flood relief operation in severely flood-affected areas.

Founded in 1988 by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej who now acts as the Honorary President, the Chaipattana Foundation is now chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, with the aim to improve the livelihoods of Thai people and promote sustainable development. Due to regulatory requirements and budget constraints faced by government agencies, His Majesty envisaged prompt, timely and necessary responses to problems affecting the Thai people through various development projects.

In recent years, the Chaipattana Foundation had implemented royally-initiated restoration projects in response to natural disasters, including the 2004 tsunami in the south, the 2006 mudslide in the north, and the 2010 floods. The main purpose of these projects was to provide support to the victims to re-establish their social and economic structures in the aftermath of the disasters.

Concerned about the suffering of the people caused by the current flood crisis, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn requested that the Chaipattana Foundation Aid and Restoration Centers for Flood Victims be set up to provide shelter and distribute aid including medical services to flood evacuees as well as flood-affected residents.  As of now, there are 6 Chaipattana Foundation Aid and Restoration Centers located in the following areas:

1. Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Wang Noi district, Ayutthaya province: This Center is currently accommodating more than 400 evacuees. Medical services from Phramongkutklao and Chulalongkorn Hospitals are available here for the victims, and survival kits from Her Royal Highness have been distributed from this Center by boat to flood-affected residents in the vicinity.

2.  The Chaipattana Foundation Rice Mill (Demonstration and Integrated Renewable Energy Development Center), Lat Bua Luang, Ayutthaya province: The Center is now housing a mobile kitchen sponsored by the Thai Red Cross Society. Rice cooked for flood victims was milled and produced by the Chaipattana Foundation Rice Mill. The kitchen cooks 3,000 meal boxes per day to be distributed to flood victims.

3. Narai Suksa School, Muang district, Lop Buri province: Supported by the Special Warfare Command, the Center is now accommodating about 170 flood victims who are provided with hot meals and medical services from Narai Maharaj Hospital in the province.

4. The First Army Air Defense Operation, Wang Noi district, Ayutthaya province: The Center was prompted by the worsening flood situation at the Center in Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. After the flood water receded there, Her Royal Highness requested that this Center remain available to help the increasing number of flood victims in Ayutthaya province. Currently, the Center is accommodating 320 evacuees who have been provided with hot meals sponsored by Kasikornbank PCL. Aid has also been distributed by boat from the Center to affected residential areas in the vicinity.

As the ongoing flood crisis has become more widespread, Her Royal Highness has further expanded the Chaipattana Foundation’s flood relief operations in Nakhon Pathom and Chon Buri provinces.

5. The Chaipattana Vocational Park Project, Muang district, Nakhon Pathom province: As the overflow from the Tha Chin River has been closely monitored, another Chaipattana Foundation Aid and Restoration Center for Flood Victims has been set up here to respond to the flood problem which may occur in the province. This Center has also served as a focal point for material donations to help flood victims in other areas.

6. Chaipattana Land Development Project at Wat Yanasangwararam Woramahawihan, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province: On 25 October, 2011, Her Royal Highness further requested that another Chaipattana Foundation Aid and Restoration Center for Flood Victims be set up to provide aid and shelter to the increasing number of flood victims from Bangkok. The Center is able to accommodate up to 500 displaced flood victims. Hot meals are prepared by a Kasikornbank PCL-sponsored kitchen, while transportation for the flood relief operations has been supported by the Royal Thai Army.

Donations

Financial donations to support the Chaipattana Foundation Aid and Restoration Centers for Flood Victims can be made:

• At the Office of the Chaipattana Foundation on Sri Ayutthaya Road in Bangkok
  
  608 Sanam Suepa, Dusit Palace
  Sri Ayutthaya Road, Dusit, Bangkok
  10300 Thailand
  
  

• By bank transfer to:
  

Account Name: Chaipattana Foundation
Bank: Siam Commercial Bank (Suanchitralada Sub-Branch)
Account Type: Savings
Account number: 067-200-011-9
Swift Code: SICOTHBK (for overseas donors only)

The copy of bank transfer slip along with the donor’s name and address should be faxed to +662 282 3339 or 02 282 9881. Please also notify on the bank transfer slip that the donation is made to “Support the Chaipattana Foundation Aid and Restoration Centers for Flood Victims.”

• In order to make a donation by check, please make the check payable to Chaipattana Foundation and mail it to the following address:

Office of the Chaipattana Foundation

For material donations and other information, please call +662 282 4425 ext. 116.