Ms. Ramrung Subanseni, Director-General of the Department of Social Development and Welfare under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, presided over the opening ceremony of the Elderly Glasses Project under Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for the year 2026. The event took place on September 9, 2026, at 09:00 AM at the Bang Saphan District Office Hall in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, bringing together distinguished government officials, representatives from charitable organizations, and members of the public to support this initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of life for elderly citizens.
The ceremony was attended by Associate Professor Dr. Jitladda Dirojanawong, Director of the Thai Red Cross Children’s Relief Foundation; Ms. Parinya Angsuwar, Director and Treasurer of the Thai Red Cross Children’s Relief Foundation; Ms. Chuanchom Chantawong, Inspector-General of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security; Mr. Bunsang Traiphut, Special Activities Manager of Topjern Glasses; Dr. Busakorn Sawatsean, President of the Prachuap Khiri Khan Red Cross Chapter; Mr. Pratheep Boriboonrat, Deputy Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province; Mr. Sarawut Limarunrak, President of the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Administrative Organization; and Ms. Sompis Sri Kamhaeng, Director of Social Development and Human Security for Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, along with heads of government agencies and distinguished guests.
The Director-General led attendees in paying respects to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother and Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati before a royal offering ceremony was conducted in front of an image of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Following the official project launch, the Director-General and government agency heads distributed bags of rice and emergency kits to participants, with support from the Thai Red Cross, the Prachuap Khiri Khan Red Cross Chapter, the Prachuap Khiri Khan Self-Sufficiency Economy Project, and the Rural Life Development Foundation.
The Elderly Glasses Project under Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn originated in 2009 in response to Her Royal Highness’s concern regarding vision problems affecting elderly individuals, particularly those who continue working or caring for their families. The Thai Red Cross Children’s Relief Foundation, collaborating with Topjern Glasses and the Department of Social Development and Welfare, was granted approval to implement the project, providing comprehensive eye examinations and glasses to elderly citizens and those aged 45 and above. The Thai Red Cross Children’s Relief Foundation has recently received authorization to continue the initiative for an additional five years, from 2025 to 2029, with the goal of expanding access to eye care services, reducing health disparities, and promoting sustainable social security.
For the 2026 fiscal year, the project targets 12 provinces with plans to provide eye examinations and glasses to 4,800 people, representing an average of 400 beneficiaries per province. Prachuap Khiri Khan Province has previously benefited from the initiative, with 1,600 people assisted through the project in 2009, 2016, 2018, and 2021. The 2026 expansion will provide assistance to an additional 400 people in Bang Saphan District, bringing the cumulative total of beneficiaries in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province to 2,000 people. On the day of the ceremony, Topjern Glasses staff conducted eye examinations for the public, with glasses to be distributed at a later date. This comprehensive effort aims to help those with vision problems, particularly individuals in remote areas, achieve clear vision and improve their overall quality of life, enabling them to maintain independence, continue working, and support their families.
In conjunction with the project launch, an affordable goods market was established at the Bang Saphan District Office to assist the public in reducing their cost of living.