More than 20,000 queue for ‘ang pao’ from sugar plant owners
A couple who own a sugar factory in Udon Thani began distributing Bt5 million in cash on Thursday as Chinese New Year gifts to poor people in the Northeastern province.
More than 20,000 people queued in front of the house of Preecha Chairat, 68, and his wife, Sannara Chairat, starting at 9am to wait for Bt200 ang pao, the Hokkien word for money bequeathed in red envelopes during the holiday.
Police and soldiers were deployed to maintain security and manage the queue, while disabled and elderly people as well as children were given priority.
The couple own the Rerm-Udom sugar plant, Ban Chiang Hotel and a property business.
Preecha said he had prepared Bt5 million in red envelopes, each containing Bt200 and has set aside another Bt3 million in case there were more than 25,000 recipients.
The handouts will be made throughout the day until everyone receives money, he said.
He said he also made merit on Chinese New Year by building houses for five disabled people who wrote to him seeking aid and gave each of them B10,000.
