Mr Teerawat Thepamnuaysuk together with Mr Pongsak Thambovorn, Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) Governor, chaired a ceremony to present 3,796,000 Baht to Brother Witthaya Rungrotkased, Vice President of The Redemptorist Foundation for People with Disabilities, to support vocational training of disabled persons throughout 2019.
The event was held at the 6th Floor Auditorium of the Watthanawipat Building, Metropolitan Electricity Authority Head Office in Khlong Toei.
The MEA is a state enterprise under the authority of the Ministry of Interior, which focuses on improving the quality of life equally for all members of society. The donation aligns with a government initiative to encourage employment of disabled persons, in compliance with provisions of the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act, B.E. 2550 (2007) and its amendment (Vol. 2) B.E. 2556 (2013).
As the first state enterprise to support vocational training of disabled persons, particularly those struggling under substandard living conditions, the MEA has consistently made donations to the Redemptorist Foundation for People with Disabilities, a public interest organisation certified by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. The organisation has provided vocational training which promotes the goals of the sufficiency economy. Its efforts have allowed disabled persons to earn sufficient income to support themselves and their families.
MEA has also employed disabled persons in suitable positions under Section 33 of the aforementioned Act, and Section 35 of the Regulations of National Committee for the Promotion and Development of the Quality of Life of the Disabled Persons B.E. 2558 (2015). MEA has provided space for disabled persons and their families to sell products at its headquarters where disabled persons with an identity card from Thailand Association of the Blind can sell lottery tickets. This gives them and their families a secure source of income and better quality of life.
Since 2013, MEA has also supported disabled athletes through the Sports Association for the Disabled of Thailand under Royal Patronage. This support will continue until 2020 with a budget of 22 million baht to help promote and develop the potential of disabled Thai athletes. This includes supervision of disabled athletes, practice drills and experience enhancements to take part in both local and international competitions. MEA hopes this support will help and encourage disabled athletes to achieve their potential in the international arena.