Government and private institutes recently launched the annual social contribution project "Wan Kaew Project - Giving Better Sight as a Tribute to the King", which aims to reach 80,000 disadvantaged individuals suffering from vision problems nationwide.

The project was initiated in 2003 by a host of organisations, including the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), True Visions and Metta Pracharak Hospital, to assist the underprivileged, particularly the elderly and children, with eyesight disorders, and was created to mark HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's 48th birthday.

Over the past four years, the project has received a good response from both the public and various organisations, with donations of glasses, lenses and money.

Almost 100 "Wan Kaew" (Eye Glasses) mobile optometry units have been set up all around the country to provide free vision tests and glasses to more than 70,000 rural people.

Apichart Dilogsopon, deputy governor of EGAT, explains that vision problems can severely affect the quality of life, particularly for underprivileged children, if they have no access to treatment or assistance.

"The cooperation between the government and the private sectors in campaigning and providing optical help and eyeglasses to these people is quite significant," he says.

Pakee Prachaktham, managing director of Better Vision Group, adds that the company has provided support to the project from the beginning, through donating lens and allocating technicians, equipment for measuring eyesight and glass fitting to the mobile optometry units, which will provide free optical service to the people.

The company has also approached Natalie Glebova, 2005 Miss Universe, who is Better Vision's brand ambassador, to join the campaign's activities.

As the special ambassador of the Wan Kaew project, Glebova will be accompanying some of the mobile optometry units on their nationwide stops.

Dr Kantima Kunjara, True Vision's corporate communications directors, also took part in the launch event along with some Academy Fantasia alumni, among them Pitsanu "Boy" Nimsakul, Patcha "Pat" Anek-ayuwat and Sittichai "Boy" Pabchompoo.

True will help promote the campaign and also donate money to support the project.

The project announcement ended with a live performance by Su Boonlieng, together with a fund raising activity and sales of the souvenirs from Academy Fantasia singers, actors and actresses as well as celebrity figures.