SME Bank briefs Pattaya business on tourism-loan project

SME Bank officials came to Pattaya last week
to lend money to tourism related businesses.

Vimolrat Singnikorn
Thailand’s Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank is again reaching out to tourist-driven businesses in Pattaya to help them take advantage of a 5 billion baht pool of loans for companies hard hit by the slowdown in tourism.
At a July 25 seminar at the Dusit Thani Hotel, SME Bank and city officials again briefed entrepreneurs on the program that allows tourism-driven firms to borrow up to 5 million baht to keep their businesses afloat and invest in the future.
The 5 billion baht “SME Power” loan fund, approved by the Cabinet in late April, will provide funding of 50,000 baht to 5 million baht to help tourism-related companies maintain liquidity and grow revenues.
Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Pattarapradit said both fixed- and variable-rate loans are available with both short and long repayment terms. Bank officials are also working quickly to get funds into business owners’ hands as soon as possible to prevent layoffs and bankruptcies, he said.
This was the second time since May SME Bank officials have come to Pattaya to promote the program. Applications for the loans closed on July 31.

Garbage into gold in Sattahip

Patcharapol Panrak
Officials at the Sattahip Naval Base want to turn garbage into gold.

Families bring in their recyclable material to trade for cash at the third-annual Recycle Mart in Sattahip.

The third-annual Recycle Mart at the Sattahip Sports Against Drugs Field July 22 was sponsored by the Royal Thai Navy as part of its ongoing effort to clean up the environment while giving Navy families and other residents a chance to earn a little cash through recycling.
Navy base commander Vice Adm. Sriwisut Ratarun said the fair was a chance for locals to change their polluting ways and recycle, rather than litter. The plastic, metal and glass were hauled away by Wongpanit Recycle Selecting Co., Ltd.
The Recycle Mart also was an opportunity to teach the benefits of buying products made from recycled materials. The Institute of Environmental Management for Packing showcased various products that boasted lower-than-average prices due to being made with recycled materials.