The money came from the German Help Association of Thailand. “This association, funded by the German business sector and private donors in Thailand, has been helping Germans who get into some kinds of difficulty, in particular, those who have health problems and accidents,” Mr Dirksen explained.
“We work very closely with the Germany Embassy, and can act quickly when help is needed. We know that this hospital [Vachira] has been assisting German patients for many years and there have been German patients who were unable to pay, so the hospital has many unpaid bills.”
Mr Dirksen also stressed the excellent cooperation between the Hospital and the German Consulate in Phuket, as well as Dr Gerhard Melcher who works as orthopaedic surgeon in the Vachira Hospital and Mr. Olaf Taenzer, a German citizen, who is working as volunteer in the Phuket Immigration Office.
“We also gave similar donations to hospitals in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya.”
Methawee Maneesri of the International Services Department of Vachira Hospital told The Phuket News, “It’s so nice that the German consular team came today. It feels like it’s like giving us the power to move forward in taking care of people.
“It shows they understand how much we care about their people and how hard we work.”