Thai government to initially donate 5 million baht to help Indonesia

BANGKOK, Oct 3 (TNA) -- The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to donate 5 million baht to Indonesia to support relief missions after its latest earthquake and tsunami and will send medical supplies, products and doctors there later. Busadee Santipitak, spokeswoman of the Foreign Ministry, said the ministry would propose the cash donation to the prime minister and will also raise donations from general public, the private sector and the companies that had businesses in Indonesia. The ministry will wait for an account number from the permanent secretary office under the Prime Minister’s Office to receive donations. Besides, Ms Busadee said, the Public Health Ministry prepared medical supplies and doctors to support public health services and human identification in Indonesia. It waits for a formal request from the Indonesian government. Meanwhile, authorities have yet to decide if consumer products should be sourced in Indonesia to help local victims. Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said Thai officials asked the Indonesian government to deploy a C-130 transport airplane to bring 32 Thai people from disastrous areas. They include 17 students and all of them are safe. Thai officials will ask if any of them want to return to Thailand. (TNA)