Officials are urging all eligible donors to give blood whenever possible, particularly ahead of the Songkran holiday, when demand for emergency medical care typically increases.
However, while PRBC blood donation clinics for April start today (Apr 1), the PRBC has pointed out that its donation activities will be temporarily suspended during the Songkran holiday period from Apr 11-15, before resuming as scheduled on Thursday, Apr 16.
During this period people wanting to donate blood are advised to contact the Blood Bank at Vachira Phuket Hospital.
As always, the PRBC has reiterated the ongoing shortage of Rh-negative blood, citing rising demand driven by tourist-related accidents and medical emergencies in the province.
The PRBC will be conducting its mobile blood donation drives throughout April at the following locations:
Apr 1: 9:30am-1pm ‒ Krabi Maritime Resort
Apr 2: 8:30am-7:30pm ‒ Phuket branch of the Red Cross (PRBC), Wichit
Apr 3: 9:30am-1pm ‒ Vogue Shopping Center, Krabi
Apr 4: 11am-3pm ‒ Lotus’s Shopping Centre, bypass road
Apr 7: 9am-12pm ‒ Le Méridien Khao Lak Resort & Spa, Phang Nga
Apr 8: 10am-3pm ‒ Prince of Songkla University, Phuket Campus
Apr 9: 1pm-4pm ‒ Diamond Cliff Resort & Spa, Patong
Apr 9: 9am-12pm ‒ Phuket Juvenile and Family Court, Phuket Town
Apr 10: 9am-12pm ‒ Honda United Commercial Co Ltd, Takua Pa, Phang Nga
Apr 16: 12pm-6pm: Central Phuket Floresta
Apr 16: 1pm-4pm: GO Wholesale Rawai
Apr 17: 9:30am-1pm ‒ Plai Phraya District Office, Krabi
Apr 18: 11am-3pm ‒ Lotus’s Shopping Centre, Thalang
Apr 20: 9:30am-1pm ‒ Aonang Villa Resort, Krabi
Apr 21: 10am-3pm ‒ King Power Phuket (Chao Fa West Rd), Wichit
Apr 21: 1pm- 4pm: Siam Makro, Rawai (Second branch near Soi Mangosteen)
Apr 22: 9:30am-1pm ‒ Ao Luek District office, Krabi
Apr 23: 1pm-4pm ‒ Rhom Bho Property PCL, Nai Yang
Apr 23: 12pm-6pm ‒ Lotus’s Shopping Centre, bypass road
Apr 24: 9am-12pm ‒ Kapong District Office, Phang Nga
Apr 27: 9am-11:30am ‒ Ramada Resort by Wyndham Khao Lak, Phang Nga
Apr 27: 2pm-4pm ‒ Siam Makro Takua Pa, Phang Nga
Apr 28: 1pm-4pm ‒ Crest Resort and Pool Villas Phuket, Patong
Apr 28: 12pm-6pm ‒ Lotus’s Shopping Centre, Thalang
Apr 29: 12pm-6pm ‒ Central Phuket Floresta
Apr 29: 1pm-4pm ‒ Patong Beach Hotel
Apr 30: 9am-12pm ‒ Khura Buri District Office, Phang Nga
The Blood Bank at Vachira Phuket Hospital also will be conducting its mobile blood donation drives throughout April, at the following locations:
Apr 1: 10am-3pm ‒ Police Regional Office 8
Apr 2: 10am-6pm ‒ Limelight Phuket
Apr 7: 10am-3pm ‒ Third Naval Area Command, Cape Panwa
Apr 8: 10am-3pm ‒ Khun Mae Ju store, Thalang
Apr 9: 10am-3pm ‒ The Senses Resort & Pool Villas, Patong
Apr 10: 10am-3pm ‒ Cherng Talay Municipality
Apr 17: 10am-3pm ‒ Siriyanyon Co Ltd, Phuket Town
Apr 20: 10am-3pm ‒ Splash Beach Resort, Mai Khao
Apr 21: 10am-6pm ‒ Thai Watsadu, Chalong
Apr 22: 10am-3pm ‒ Bangkok bank, Thepkrasattri rd in Phuket town (Near Soi Suthat)
Apr 23: 10am-3pm ‒ Thalang District office
Apr 27: 10am-3pm ‒ Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa, Kamala
Apr 28: 10am-3pm ‒ Karon Municipality
Apr 30: 10am-3pm ‒ The Racha resort, Rawai
To make a donation people are advised:
- Under 60 if a first-time donor in Thailand, with 70 being the upper age limit.
- Ensure you are in good health.
- Get enough sleep the night before.
- No alcohol consumption 24 hours prior to donation.
- Have a healthy, low-fat meal at least three hours before donating.
- Do not donate blood while taking antibiotics to ensure good quality blood.
- Drink plenty of water before arriving to donate blood.
When making a donation, people are advised:
- Bring your ID card to verify your identity each time you donate.
- Complete the registration form upon arrival.
- Undergo a brief health check, including blood pressure and haemoglobin level assessment, and a short meeting with a doctor.
- The actual blood donation process takes less than 7 minutes.
- Enjoy a snack and rest for a few minutes post-donation.
- Drink 3-4 glasses of water.
People can also donate blood directly at the Phuket Regional Blood Centre, located at 38/193 Rattanakosin 200 Pi Rd in Talad Neua, Phuket Town.
The centre is open:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 8:30am to 4:30pm
Tuesday, Thursday – 8:30am to 8pm
Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays – 9am to 3pm
For more information contact the PRBC:
- Phone: 076-251178
- Mobile: 081-9588854
- Facebook: Phuket Red Cross Blood Donation centre
The Vachira Blood Bank on the 4th floor of the outpatient building at Vachira Phuket Hospital, on Yaowarat Rd in Phuket Town, is listed as “always open.”
For more information: Tel: 076-361234 ext 1287; or visit Facebook: ธนาคารเลือด รพ.วชิระภูเก็ต (Vachira Phuket Hospital Blood Bank)