Solidarity fund for French Micro-Entrepreneurs established in Thailand

In the midst of the Covid crisis, many micro-entrepreneurs of French nationality established in Thailand find themselves in a very precarious situation. The problem affects their families but also the surrounding environment, since these entrepreneurs employ people and, on their scale, contribute to the economy in general.

We inform you and ask you:
Aid Already Granted:
The French State, via the French Embassy in Bangkok, has released a budget line of about 780,000 THB to come to their aid in December 2020. As the local branch of the “Français du Monde” Association, registered under Thai law and officially recognized as beneficial to the public at large, part of this budget was entrusted to us to ensure the distribution of aid on a case-by-case basis.
On 3 March 2021, we added more than 40,000 THB to the grant thanks to the generosity of two sponsors, reaching a total of 820,000 THB.
26 compatriots among the most vulnerable have already benefited from this first aid, which enabled them to meet their most urgent needs (housing costs, health insurance, schooling...). Two levels of aid were granted after a rigorous analysis of each case: 20,000 THB / 40,000 THB, depending on the severity of the situation encountered.
A number of collective actions have also been planned to support these micro-entrepreneurs, such as the organization of meetings, forums, participation in stands and the setting up of self-help groups.
Meanwhile, six entrepreneurs withdrew from the list because they were able to overcome their predicament, but 20 others have not been able to benefit from the assistance because their situation was not yet critical at the beginning of the year.

The Situation of Entrepreneurs to Date:
Considering the extension of the pandemic, we realized that the aid initially granted was not sufficient. All the entrepreneurs who received assistance have businesses that are viable but weakened by the health crisis, despite their goodwill and their search for alternative solutions. Having exhausted their cash flow and their debt capacity, some may face insolvency and bankruptcy. Even modest assistance can help these small entrepreneurs bounce back, while vaccination is now well underway and the perspective of the Kingdom’s reopening is finally emerging.
Moreover, many entrepreneurs had not replied to the first aid offer, either out of ignorance, or because they knew about it too late, or else because their activities had not yet dropped alarmingly at the time.

The Need for Help to “Come Through”:
Since this crisis is not over, in order to complete and sustain our actions, we have therefore requested a second grant from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the French Embassy. A second installment of €12,000 has been allocated to us, and we now have to secure additional funds again.
We are now appealing to private generosity, be it from individuals or corporate sponsorships, from the French community or Thai business people, among whom these entrepreneurs have been evolving sometimes for years. In this way, we hope we can help those economic actors who are passing under the radar of both Thai and French aids, and contribute to maintaining the French presence in Thailand.
You are a private citizen, sensitive to the serious difficulties fellow entrepreneurs are encountering in a country that is dear to your heart; know that your donation, even modest, will be useful to keep in business a hotel structure, a restaurant, a travel agency, a trading company … that you will be happy to find operational once this infernal crisis is over! Your donation can be increased tenfold if you transfer this message to your many friends. Thank you for your support!
And let us not forget that it is the small streams that make great rivers …
You own and/or are an executive of a company that has been able to survive this period without too much damage and you wish to join us in this solidarity initiative to re-oxygenate the French economic fabric in Thailand; then your support can, if you wish, be the subject of a specific communication on all the project’s visual supports and at events related to the support of micro and small entrepreneurs organized by “Français du Monde” Thailand (forums, meetings, etc.). You will of course be able to communicate on your own side both internally with your employees and externally with your customers or friends. For "Patron" sponsors, your logo can be displayed visually on all our media upon your request.
To you our sponsor friends, we offer 3 possibilities:
- “Patron sponsor, in support of entrepreneurs in Thailand” for 50,000 THB
- " Benefactor sponsor, in support of entrepreneurs in Thailand" for 25,000 THB
- "Friendly sponsor, in support of entrepreneurs in Thailand" for 10,000 THB
Additional donations will of course be gratefully accepted.
If you are interested, I will send you by return a form and procedure for the subscription.
At your disposal for any questions,
With our thanks in advance,
“Français du Monde” Thailand Treasurer
https://www.fdm-thailande.org/