The Government of Japan is extending grant assistance under the Grassroots Human Security Projects scheme (GGP) to the "Micro Credit for Low Income Families on the Thai-Burmese Border" project. Kyoji Komachi, Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Thailand, and Sakda Netek, Director of the Kwai River Christian Hospital Staff Self-Help Group, signed a contract on March 12, 2009 at the Embassy of Japan.
An influx of people into Thai territory from the neighboring country of Myanmar due to its unstable political situation and aggravated economic conditions is bringing about a further increase of non-Thai residents along the border areas. Non-formal migrants have to pay for medical services they receive at their own cost, as they fall outside the official Thai healthcare system. However, they often fail to do so or, at best, can cover only part of the expense.
Against this background, in 2005 some staff of the Fuaimarai hospital located in Sangklaburi district of Kanchanaburi province started a microcredit scheme by setting up a self-help group to cope with their urgent daily needs. The Government of Japan has decided to provide a total of 2,969,000 baht (US$83,545) to cover funds for a microcredit scheme for low income earners. The assistance will enable low income hospital staff and other local residents to join the scheme.

Source: Microfinance Gateway