The OTOP market boosts community income, supports tourism and raises funds for social welfare through the Phuket Red Cross charity lottery, Gov Nirat said.
Gov Nirat presided over the opening ceremony at the central stage at Saphan Hin, joined by his wife, Ms Kusumal, who serves as the current President of the Phuket Provincial Chapter of the Red Cross Society of Thailand.
Also present for the occasion were Vice Governors Suwit Phansengiam and Teeraphong Chuaychoo, district chiefs, government officials, community leaders and a large turnout of local residents and visitors.
The fair, which continues through Jan 6, showcases Phuket’s cultural identity, local lifestyles, food, agricultural products and community-made goods as part of efforts to stimulate the local economy during the New Year period while promoting Phuket as a tourism destination, Gov Nirat explained.
The fair also includes displays highlighting the achievements of government agencies over the past year and features a wide range of activities, including community development exhibitions, model household displays under the Sufficiency Economy philosophy, OTOP stalls under the theme “My Home, Only Delicious Food”, tourism community booths, local food demonstrations and a Phuket ‘khanom jeen’ eating competition.
Vendors from Phuket and other provinces are also taking part, selling agricultural produce and food items to help support grassroots income generation throughout the holiday period, with strong cooperation from both government and private sectors.
An important element of the fair is the Phuket Provincial Red Cross charity lottery, which will raise funds for humanitarian and social welfare projects across the province. Tickets are priced at B100 each or B1,000 per booklet and are available at the Phuket Provincial Red Cross Office and the Phuket Provincial Hall.
The draw will be held at 10pm on Jan 6 at the Saphan Hin central stage, with major prizes including a Toyota Fortuner Leader 2.4 S, a Yaris ATIV Smart, a Honda Scoopy motorcycle, Apple iPhone and iPad devices, bicycles and other prizes. Winners must claim prizes by Feb 20 at the Phuket Provincial Red Cross Office.
As part of the grand opening event, the Phuket Red Cross also awarded scholarships worth a total of B260,000 to 100 underprivileged students, including 40 scholarships of B2,000 each for kindergarten and primary pupils and 60 scholarships of B3,000 each for secondary and tertiary students.