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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(click to go to the relevant question and
answer)
1. BCTFN
What does BCTFN stand
for?
Why use such a complicated name?
Is BCTFN an officially recognised
Charity in Thailand?
Does BCTFN have a special tax status?
How does BCTFN get the money to spend on
projects for the needy?
Do BCTFN Committee members get paid for the
work they do?
How do you become a member of the BCTFN
Committee?
Other than being on the Committee, are
there other ways in which I can help?
How many projects are supported each
year?
What is the value of the projects supported
each year?
Is the money spent on needy projects ever
wasted?
Are the projects BCTFN supports all
faith-based?
Does BCTFN support projects all over
Thailand?
Does BCTFN support the needy in the
Tsunami hit areas of Southern Thailand?
Can I donate to BCTFN online?
Who looks after BCTFN finances?
2. Ploenchit Fair
Why is it called
Ploenchit Fair?
Is it really a Fair?
Who runs Ploenchit Fair?
When did Ploenchit Fair first start?
What will I find at Ploenchit Fair?
Is it only Brits who help with or go to the
Fair?
Does all the money paid at the stalls or
activities go to Charity?
Who pays for the prizes which are given
away at Ploenchit Fair?
Who looks after Ploenchit Fair finances?
How can I help with the Fair?
BCTFN
What does BCTFN stand for?
BCTFN means British Community in Thailand Foundation for
the Needy. At the beginning, the Charity Fair was called
just that but later became the UKCTC (United Kingdom
Committee for Thai Charities). In 1999, the organisation
became known as BCTFN. Top
Why use such a
complicated name?
When UKCTC finally received permission to become a
fully authorised and recognised Thai Charity Foundation, the
rules for such Foundations had to be followed. This meant
that the name of the Foundation had to express clearly what
the purpose of the Foundation is, thus British Community
in Thailand Foundation for the Needy. Top
Is
BCTFN an officially recognised Charity in Thailand?
The word "Foundation" tells you that it is a fully
registered and recognised Thai Charity.
Top
Does BCTFN
have a special tax status?
The application process is ongoing and very soon,
BCTFN will announce the special tax status, which can only
be applied for after three years of operation as a
Foundation. Top
How does BCTFN
get the money to spend on projects for the needy?
BCTFN receives funds mainly from the Ploenchit Fair.
Occasionally other events are held to raise funds e.g. the
St Valentine's Day Ball held in 2004.
Top
Do BCTFN
Committee members get paid for the work they do?
No, all work is done on a voluntary basis.
Top
How do you
become a member of the BCTFN Committee?
Generally speaking, if you are known and have
experience in Thailand and there is a vacancy on the
Committee, you may asked to join. There are no elections as
such. Helping to put on the Ploenchit Fair is a way to show
your commitment and availability to help on the BCTFN
Committee. Top
Other
than being on the Committee, are there other ways in which I
can help?
Mainly by assisting with the Ploenchit Fair. This website
includes an option to allow you to put your name forward to
help. Not everyone can be chosen but please apply to help
here.
Of course, by donating
you can also help in a very big way. Top
How many
projects are supported each year?
Of course, the number varies from year to year but
generally there are a minimum of about 20 projects. You can
see a list of some of the projects supported
here.
Top
What is the
value of the projects supported each year?
This can also vary greatly depending on several
factors e.g. how much funds are available for distribution;
how many needy cases apply for funds; how many cases fall
within the
selection guidelines
for BCTFN.
Top
Are the
funds spent on needy projects ever wasted?
No, funds are never wasted as such. In general,
projects are well managed and responsible and carry out the
work as indicated in the funding agreement. Occasionally,
funds are redirected to a critical or emergency situation,
or BCTFN does not receive a full list of receipts for the
funds but there has never been any evidence of funds being
wasted.
Top
Are the
projects BCTFN supports all faith-based?
No, BCTFN allocates funds to worthy and needy
projects throughout Thailand. The faith of the recipients is
not a factor. Christian, Buddhist and Muslim communities and
organisations all receive funds via BCTFN.
For some recipients of funds, the faith is not
requested or known.
Top
Does BCTFN
support projects all over Thailand?
Yes, very much so. Any group or community from any
location within Thailand can apply for funds. Projects are
undertaken all over the country.
Top
Does
BCTFN support the needy in the Tsunami hit areas of Southern
Thailand?
BCTFN took the view that there was so much focus on
the Tsunami hit areas - focus through funding, resources
available, media spotlight - that there was the risk that
other needy projects throughout Thailand might be
"forgotten". BCTFN decided to keep its focus on projects in
all upcountry locations, including the Tsunami
hit region. Top
Who looks
after BCTFN finances?
BCTFN finances are looked after by Standard Chartered
Bank which has helped BCTFN in this way for many, many
years. All funds are placed on deposit with the bank and any
disbursement for projects are made using a Standard
Chartered bank cheque. Occasionally, in emergency
situations, funds in cash can be made available, as allowed
for in the Thai Foundation law.
Top
Can I donate to BCTFN online?
Yes, you can. Please go the page to
make a donation or the
page to pledge support
in some other way. Your support at any level is welcome and
appreciated not only by BCTFN but also by the many needy
recipients of the funds.
Top
2. Ploenchit Fair
Why is
it called Ploenchit Fair?
Previously, the
Fair was help in the grounds of the British Embassy, which
are located on Ploenchit Road in Bangkok. The name has
become so well known among expatriate and Thai communities
that the name has been retained wherever the Fair takes
place.
Top
Is it really a Fair?
Very much so! With all the fun of the Fair and it all
adds up to generously giving in the nicest possible way.
Over 20,000 people attend making it a very large Fair!
Top
Who runs
Ploenchit Fair?
The Fair is planned, organised and managed by BCTFN
along with an army of volunteers, over 2000 of them! Many
organisations also assist hugely and you can see their names
in the
supporting
section. BCTFN also receives a great deal of help from the
British Embassy and HE The Ambassador.
Top
When did
Ploenchit Fair first start?
The forerunner of the Ploenchit Fair started way back
during the Second World War as a garden fete in the grounds
of the British Club, Bangkok. In 1957, the first Fair to be
held in the grounds of the British Embassy took place and
the Ploenchit Fair name was born. In 1968, the running of
the Fair was formalised through UKCTC, later to become
BCTFN, as it is now. Top
What will I
find at Ploenchit Fair?
Everything you would expect to find at British Fair.
For the children there is the Ferris Wheel, Thomas the Tank
Engine, Bouncy Castle, Bungee Bouncing, Orienteering
etc...there are so many activities and stalls catering to
the demanding needs of children of all ages (including
adults of all ages!). For adults there are many activities
such as Bingo, skill stalls, many opportunities to shop (so
many!) and so many opportunities to relax in typical British
style with beer or champagne. A wide variety of food and
beverages are available: fish and chips, curry, pies,
Italian food, Thai food, Cream teas, luxury food, ordinary
food. On the beverage side there are lots of beers,
champagne, soft drinks, coffee and of course - tea. It
wouldn't be British without the tea!
(see the Gallery
for proof of Fun of the Fair)!
Top
Is it only
Brits who help with or go to the Fair?
You will find almost every nationality enjoying the
Ploenchit Fair. Of course there are many Brits but there are
even more Thais. You will also find many Australians,
Canadians, Americans, Europeans of various nationalities and
many Asian nations are represented. All continents are
represented, we even have a Penguin!
(If you don't know what this means, you will have to
go to the Fair to find out).
Top
Does all
the money paid at the stalls or activities go to Charity?
In the sense that all monies received by BCTFN
from all sources related to the Fair, that money
all goes to charity and
needy projects. Some of the stalls and activities are
organised to pass on all of the funds they receive to
BCTFN. Other stalls pay a fee to have the stall at the Fair
and then (usually) sell their goods at reduced prices: in
this case, the fee goes to BCTFN but money paid to the
stallholder is kept by the stallholder. There are ongoing
discussions to see whether there are better ways to organise
this aspect of the Fair but in the meantime it is important
to make sure the Fair happens and is a major success.
Top
Who pays
for the prizes which are given away at Ploenchit Fair?
Mostly, the prizes are donated by
supporters of the Fair and many companies help
out in this way. Other prizes may be purchased by BCTFN in
order to make sure the Fair goes well and generates even
more funds for the needy projects. Top
Who looks after
Ploenchit Fair finances?
Standard Chartered bank maintains a complete "branch"
at The Fair, run by Bank staff on a voluntary basis. This
"branch" is there only to support the Fair and gives change
to stall and activity holders, accepts and tallies takings
from the various stalls and activities; and transports funds
from the Fair to the Bank.
Top
How can I help with
the Fair?
For most people, the main thing is to go there and
have fun while providing funds for BCTFN and thus helping
the many needy projects in Thailand. For those who want to
do more, you can
volunteer to
help with the Fair,
provide some other kind of
product or service; or by simply
donating some money. Top |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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