Govt fund opens new future for villagers

The Thaksin government introduced the programme in 2001 by giving each community Bt1 million to set up its own fund.

"When the programme gave our village Bt 1 million, our lives changed. In the past, we wanted to do many things to earn money for our families, but locating capital was our key problem. Without money, we were unable to start our plans.

"With the money, we have formed a fund for villagers to borrow from," said Suriya Rongjamuang, head of Noenpo village in Phichit's Sam-gnam district.

Suriya said villagers had gathered and discussed how to create suitable jobs for people after obtaining the money from the government.

"Now, we have groups of villagers to do different jobs, such as growing vegetables, making sweets from local fruits, producing drinking water, making wicker-craft and farming fish.

"Villagers can now earn more money. We also separate 50 per cent of the interest we collect, which is about Bt30,000 per year, to be set aside as a social welfare fund to pay for medical bills of poor villagers," he added.

Apart from Noenpo, Koh-rao village in Nakhon Si Thammarat's Cha-uad district is able to develop its water resources.

"We have spent some money from our fund to recover a canal, including buying fish to breed and paying for food to feed volunteers.

"We now remove water hyacinths and other weeds once a month. When the canal is cleaned up, we'll provide areas with facilities for tourists to visit and then we'll promote eco-tourism at the canal. Neighbouring villages can offer home stay services to tourists," said Sawat Khamtri, head of the Koh-rao village.

They are among 60 villages and communities under the programme that have received awards from Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, as chairman of National Village and Urban Community Fund Office yesterday.

About 30 villages showcased their products, including food and herbal products.

The government also transferred Bt907 million to 907 new rural and urban communities.

The event was held at Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Bang Na.