HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has donated a mobile medical vehicle to provide services for locals in the far South.
A ceremony to receive the vehicle, which has been given the name "Sirivejyan", was presided over by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon at the Defence Ministry on Monday.
The ceremony was also attended by Gen Chaichan Changmongkol, the deputy defence minister; Gen Theppong Thippayachan, the permanent secretary of defence; Gen Wallop Raksanoh, secretary-general of the National Security Council; Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, the national police chief; and Supanat Sirantawineti, secretary-general of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC).
Sirivejyan aims to enhance overall medical services in the deep South, serving Yaha Crown Prince Hospital in Yala's Yaha district and Sungaikolok Hospital in Sungai Kolok district of Narathiwat.
The deputy premier said the government and local people in the region were deeply grateful for the graciousness shown HRH Princess Sirindhorn, who bestowed the mobile medical vehicle to assist impoverished people in remote areas.
It will allow them more convenient access to medical services and reassure residents who live in hard-to-reach places that patients will be taken care of quickly, Gen Prawit said.
Officials said the vehicle is equipped with modern equipment that can accommodate medical checkups for both regular patients and those with particular diseases, as well as the bed-ridden and the elderly.
Sirivejyan is a result of the guidance of the princess, who visited the SBPAC on Sept 21 of last year and praised officers for providing care for disabled children and their families in the far South.
The princess also gave guidance to the SBPAC to work with relevant agencies to pursue her project in supporting the disabled in terms of building their physical strength.
She also offered guidance to help create jobs for families who are required to work at home in order to care for children or other family members who may be suffering from a disability or rare disease.