Amari Hotels and Resorts is asking all spectacle wearers to gather together old or unwanted glasses and drop them off at any of their hotels and resorts in Thailand. The glasses will then be given a happy new home with people from villages in less affluent areas, where the villagers are unable to afford glasses.

The photograph shows a lady from a village near Mae Sot, in Tak province wearing glasses donated by the project and clearly delighted with her new clarity of sight.

The appeal is part of Amari’s “Baht for a Better Life” Foundation where small change from guests and donations from staff are used to further the education of children in Thailand.

At present, we support two different initiatives - thje Duang Prateep Foundation and the Amari Schools Project.  The Duang Prateep Foundation supports the children from an under-privileged area of Bangkok and their families.  In this area, poverty prevents the majourity of children from completing even basic education.  Through the project, we can support children who are especially hardworking and determined to continue their studies, despite the odds being against them.

Funds from the Baht for a Better Life Foundation have also been used to rebuild a dilapidated school in Na Chompoo, Udon Thani and build six new schools in Doi Angkhang near Chiang Mai, Chumporn in the South of Thailand, Tak province on the border with Burma, Banjama in Chiang Mai, Baan Changlang in Trang and Bann Na Nok Peed in Loei.  As well as building the classroom, donations have been used to buy essentials such as desks, chairs, blackboards, books and pencils.

Note to Editors : Amari Hotels and resorts is one of Thailand’s leading and most dynamic hotel groups operating twelve first class properties in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Samui, Phuket, Krabi and Trang as well as five associate hotels in Bangkok, Pattaya, Loei and Doi Angkhang.

For further information please contact :

Ms. Nikki Busuttil                                                          Tel.  66 (0) 2255 3767
Director of Communications                                         Fax.  66 (0) 2255 3718
Amari Hotels and Resorts                                             E-mail:  email@amari.com
847 Petchburi Road                                                       Website: www.amari.com
Bangkok 10400