British Community in Thailand Foundation for the Needy "BCTFN"
Website: http://www.bctfn.org
http://www.ploenchitfair.org/
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.
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. Committee members personally visit the charities, ensure the smooth running of the projects and the application of funds.
Contacts:
591/17 Sukhumvit Road
Soi Villa, between Soi 33 and 33/1
Bangkok 10110
Tel: 02 204 1587
Email: bctfn@loxinfo.co.th
The Ploenchit Fair
What is the Ploenchit Fair?
The Ploenchit Fair is quite simply Bangkok’s Big Day Out. Arguably the biggest Fair in Asia, it has been part of the social scene in Thailand since the first Fair was held in The British Embassy in 1957.
Everybody comes to the Ploenchit Fair – the theme is a traditional British fairground and it’s a day to meet all your friends, pick up some fabulous bargains, sample great international cuisine, exhaust the children with a variety of fun fair games and rides, or just knock back some champagne, cold beer or even Pimms while enjoying great bands who perform throughout the afternoon on the main stage.
When is it?
Check the fair website http://www.bctfn.org
What will I find at the Ploenchit Fair?
There’s something for everyone at the Fair – games, rides and competitions for the kids and adults including a Ferris Wheel, Bungee Jump, Water Roller Ball, Hands Spin Boats, Giant Slide, Golf, Coconut Shy, Grand Raffle to name but a few. The main stage hosts a variety of excellent bands and performers through out the day while a genuinely mind boggling array of food and drink is available from some of the best bars and restaurants in Bangkok.
Get all your Christmas shopping done early at Petticoat Lane Bazaar where some 70 vendors sell beautiful handicrafts, home wares, clothes and accessories, books, jewellery and everything else you never knew you needed. Tesco and Boots, our high street giants have gift-sets, hampers and special prices for you.
Why is it called the Ploenchit Fair?
Prior to 2001 the Fair had been held in the gardens to the British Embassy for over four decades on Ploenchit Road. The Fair is held in such high affection and
the name has become so well known that it has stuck despite several subsequent relocations.
Is it only the British Community who helps or goes to the Fair?
Definitely not! You fill find almost every nationality represented amongst the stallholders and visitors to the Fair. Whilst the Fair may have started as a way for the British Community to express their appreciation to their Thai hosts and share a traditional bit of British fun, they are now enthusiastically joined by many nations.
Who runs the Ploenchit Fair?
The fair is planned, organized and managed by the BCTFN along with an army of over 2000 volunteers. Many organizations assist the BCTFN hugely including private and public companies, businesses and the British Embassy.
What does the BCTFN stand for?
BCTFN stands for the British Community in Thailand Foundation for the Needy. The organization has evolved from humble beginnings in 1946 as the simply titled ‘Charity Fair’, through to the 1950’s when it became established as the United Kingdom Committee for Thai Charities (UKCTC) under the auspices of the British Embassy and in 1999 when the UKCTC became a fully authorized and recognized Thai Charity Foundation. The name changed to reflect Thai law which requires the name of the charitable foundation to clearly reflect the purpose of the charity.
What happens to the money that the Fair raises?
The BCTFN disburses funds to a wide range of projects. Since the year 2000
alone, the Fair has raised over 60 million baht which has benefited a diverse range of organizations. In recent
years, priority has been given to self-help projects that benefit and enable a community to become self-sustaining. Assistance has also been given in the provision of basic necessities and equipment to improve healthcare, nutrition, education, agricultural projects and
the disabled throughout Thailand Donations are never made in cash. Once a project is approved, building plans, estimates and invoices etc will be met by the BCTFN and payment made directly to
contractors and suppliers. Details of projects are on our website www.bctfn.org and www.ploenchitfair.org
In 2012, charitable donations were made to:
ST. JOSEPH'S HOME FOR THE CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY
BAN HUAY HAK MA TAl SCHOOL
SET FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS AND GRADUATE
GOOD SHEPHERD SISTERS
RAINBOWLAND COMMUNITY SERVICES FOUNDATION
FATHER RAY FOUNDATION
THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
THE SOMDETY A'S CHARITY FUND
SIAM CARE FOUNDATION
CHRIST CHRUCH BANGKOK
MARCEL DUBBELMAN
GOOD SHEPHERD SISTERS
PROJECT L.I.F.E. FOUNDATION
ST. JOSEPH'S HOME FOR THE CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY
TAWAN CHAI FOUNDATION
BAAN SABAAY FOUNDATION
REJOICE CHARITY
SAINT CAMILLUS FOUNDATION OF THAILAND
CHRISTIAN CARE FOUNDATION
DEEJAI FOUNDATION
RURAL AREA MEDICAL AID FOUNDATION
FATHER RAY FOUNDATION
BAAN UNRAK PRIMARY SCHOOL
FOUNDATION TO ENCOURAGE THE POTENTIAL OF DISABLED PERSONS
KHOM LOY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
BAAN HUAY KUNG SCHOOL
TOTAL
Baht
175,000
52,000
200,141
800,000
50,000
268,350
255,000
300,000
191,300
200,000
104,550
403,230
160,000
175,000
114,000
100,000
90,000
240,000
62,000
150,000
200,000
158,000
168,000
200,000
176,250
239,200
5,152,021
Link to the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand charities support for further information on the charities supported from funds raised from the annual Ploenchit Fair.