Phetchabun Hospital Raises 2 Million Baht After Mould Photos Go Viral
Phetchabun Hospital raised over 2 million baht in donations within 24 hours after mould photographs from its wards went viral online, prompting a social media campaign to support the struggling facility.
Phetchabun Hospital received over 2 million baht in donations within 24 hours after photographs of mould on a ward ceiling spread online. Hospital administrators said the mould developed because the fourth floor is air-conditioned continuously while the third floor is not, allowing moisture to build up in the space between the ceilings. Although the area is cleaned routinely, several consecutive days of rain during the rainy season caused mould to develop faster than usual.
The hospital also said several ageing buildings are due to be demolished and rebuilt, requiring services and wards to be relocated while renovation work is carried out. A four-storey building known as the Special 50th Anniversary Building also developed cracks and partial subsidence during a recent earthquake and is scheduled for demolition. Patients and wards must therefore be moved to other buildings so treatment can continue without disruption.
The work will be funded by the hospital's own fund and partly by the government. Phetchabun Hospital director Dr Kobchai Jirachanchai apologised and accepted responsibility for the condition of the facility. He said the hospital had been running at a deficit of about 170 million baht when he took up the post in fiscal year 2025. By the end of August, the deficit had been reduced to about 26 million baht.
The director's statement was widely shared online, alongside calls using the hashtag #SavePhetchabunHospital for people to support the hospital. From 01:00 on 12 September to 23:00 on 13 September, donations totalled 2,276,646.64 baht, with contributions ranging from small sums to tens of thousands of baht. Donations were still continuing.
Those wishing to support the hospital can donate in person at Phetchabun Hospital or transfer funds to its sole official account: Krungthai Bank account number 614-0-76611-7, in the name of Donations of Phetchabun Hospital. The hospital said eligible donations can be claimed for a double tax deduction, subject to Thai Revenue Department rules. The hospital urged donors to check the account details carefully and said no other donation accounts are authorised.
