Home / 2018 Sustainability Report / Sharing the Value with the World Preserving and Promoting Arts & Culture
  • ThaiBev has collaborated with the government and the private sector as well as its business network to conserve, hand down and help inspire the nation’s art and culture scene, including religion and Thai customs. The goal is to help society become aware of the value of art and culture and to foster patriotism and love for the country’s cultural heritage. Society should be dedicated to disseminating the Thai identity in ASEAN and the wider world.
  • In the art and culture sphere, ThaiBev’s commitment is defined by three strategies: conservation, cooperation and creation.
  • ThaiBev supports the new generation to learn and train in the various branches of art and culture beyond their regular learning through the textbook and classroom.

INSIGHT

Nitikorn Kraivixien
Director of Art and Culture Program

As ThaiBev is one of the biggest companies in Thailand, we believe that it is our duty to give back to society, over and above our normal business operations. ThaiBev is involved in a number of special programs promoting art and culture widely in Thai society. To help inspire art and culture over the last 15 years, we have established activities which are special in many aspects.

We can see that art and culture are important and are part of the nation’s roots. As a representation of nationhood, they show that Thailand is an old country with a long history. Thailand has many fine arts, culture and customs, which not all countries can boast. Therefore, we should conserve the good things that we have, whether through the efforts of young or old people. This is a commitment and obligation we consistently consider.

INSIGHT

Dusadee Banomyong
National Artist, Classical Music 2014, Director of SuanPlu Chorus

In the recent past, ThaiBev’s role in promoting art and culture has reflected its vision of supporting the development of Thai society in all aspects, as the government sector has not been able to distribute its budgets evenly, particularly covering art and culture, which is no less important than sports or other pursuits. Through fine arts and culture, which should be conserved and handed down to younger generations, Thailand can be made more secure and equal other countries. From the perspective of the SuanPlu Chorus, this support is a strong point of ThaiBev. Besides manufacturing consumer goods, the company is regarded by the public for promoting community products, demonstrating that the company has taken part in developing the country.

 

Malinee Sagarik
Luang Pradit Phairoh (Sorn Silapabanleng) Foundation

The Luang Pradit Phairoh (Sorn Silapabanleng) Foundation has received continuous support from ThaiBev for the annual Sorn Daeng [Golden Arrow] Thai music competition for the Trophy of His Late Majesty King Rama IX. It has also received support for other projects such as the Thai Music Youth Camp, Friends of Music project and the establishment of the ASEAN Thai Youth Orchestra. ThaiBev has given the Foundation full freedom to organize activities with the joint goal of creating quality young people with rounded knowledge and abilities in art and culture, and also creating a support network for the future. For over five years the Foundation has received support for its musical activities; it has come to realize that ThaiBev is giving its support unconditionally and from the heart without any business conditions. The company has also suggested channels for further activities involving the cooperation of other agencies for even greater benefit.

ThaiBev is a management organization with heart, personality, variety, etiquette and vision. That affects the overall picture of the organization. Demonstrate public sprit, be willing to help others in project activities, support society, invite friends to work together: This is the foundation of a sustainable organization.

INSIGHT

Apirak Kosayodhin
Chairman, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre Foundation Committee

The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) is an urban art gallery tasked with being an extracurricular source of knowledge about art and culture for children and young people, both in Bangkok and its environs. In the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre’s 10 years of operations, ThaiBev has clearly identified itself as a private sector company which sees the value and importance of maintaining and disseminating art and culture. It was the first sponsor of various contemporary art exhibitions at BACC and has maintained its sponsorship over many years. This reflects the strong point of ThaiBev, that its management see the value and importance of passing on the heritage of modern art and culture to the new generation. It is outstanding as a modern organization because it does not stay still; this is a highly important component of developing and creating value together for society on a sustainable basis.

 

Ekachai Jearakul
Winner of GFA Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition 2014 and a young person in the ThaiBev ThaiTalent program

ThaiBev sees the huge importance of making an effort to drive art and culture, especially music. I have had the opportunity to be sponsored by ThaiBev for a long time, including at international music competitions, which helps Thailand’s classical music scene to be better known internationally. There is also the project to record the musical compositions of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and sponsorship of many concerts. ThaiBev is an “opportunity giver”, because I have been able to grow and make a contribution from the opportunities given to me by ThaiBev.

STORY

Promoting art and culture has been a key obligation of ThaiBev throughout its history. ThaiBev has joined various organizations with the goal of making both Thai and international art and culture to be esteemed, conserved, developed and supported with projects and activities to an international standard. This combines academic working methods to create value for society through development, learning and awareness. If society values its art and culture, this will foster patriotism and pride in cultural heritage. If these values are disseminated, this will create value for ThaiBev, as a company of good governance campaigning in these matters.

Honored
  • On June 23, 2018, Mr. Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi received a pin from HRH Princesss Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for cultural achievement on Thai Heritage Conservation day.
  • Mr. Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, a warden of Wat Chetupon, joined the party of a Buddhist mission for an audience with Pope Francis. They presented the Phra Malaya Scripture translated into three languages: modern Cambodian, Pali and Thai, along with other souvenirs, at Vatican City on May 16, 2018.
ThaiBev has been contributing to promoting art and culture through three approaches as follows:
  • Conservation, dissemination and promotion of art and culture in society.
  • Supporting cooperation with artistic and cultural organizations or projects to disseminate their work.
  • Enhancing art and culture initiatives in the creative economy.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn officially opened the exhibition, “Through the Lens of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej” at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on September 1, 2017.



Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn officially opened an exhibition of photographs taken by Her Royal Highness titled “Kavayaprapha” at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on December 11, 2017.

Conservation, Dissemination and Promotion of Art and Culture in Society
  • His Majesty the King graciously gave permission for the Photographers’ Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage to stage an exhibition of 200 photographs taken by His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. Permission was also granted to publish the photographs in a book supporting the exhibition, which was published by the Sirivadhanabhakdi Foundation and ThaiBev.
  • An exhibition of photographs taken by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has been staged continuously since 2006 at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. In 2017, this exhibition was titled “Kavayaprapha.”
  • ThaiBev has supported the construction of the “Nyanasamvara Thailand-Japan Memorial” and installed the statue of His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara Somdet Phra Sangharat Sakonlamahasangkhaparinayok at Wat Pa Buddharangsee in Tokyo.
  • The “Love to Dispel Coldness” event was arranged in tribute to His Majesty the King for His Majesty’s sage advice for the people to cheer up and be happy, and think of traditional ways of life. Shops sold products from the “Pracharat Rak Samakkee Project.” The “Chayanitikorn” Picture Studio provided a retro-photography service to visitors at the event.
  • Great Songkran Ritual conducted by His Majesty the King, the Thai Legend of the Great Songkran to promote the nation’s customs. The “Chayanitikorn” Picture Studio provided a retro-photography service to visitors at the event using a Songkran theme.

Art and Culture Historical Book Projects

“Celebrating the National Glass Plate Negative Recognized as UNESCO Memory of the World” book jointly organized by National Archives of Thailand and Sirivadhanabhakdi Foundation, on the occasion of the registration of the ancient photographs and glass plate negatives collection “The Vajariyana Library” as UNESCO Memory of the World 2017.

Commemorative Book for The Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Kalayanamitr Woramahavihara.

Commemorative Book for The Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Phra That Choeng Chum Woramahavihara.

 
Supporting Cooperation with Artistic and Cultural Organization or Projects to Disseminate their work:
  • “Celebrating the National Glass Plate Negatives Registered as UNESCO Memory of the World.” This is a joint program of the National Archives and the Sirivadhanabhakdi Foundation on the occasion of the Vajirayan Royal Library of plate photographs being registered as a UNESCO Memory of the World in 2017. Exhibition on the Front Palace, part of the program to study the former Front Palace with the aid of technology by the Fine Arts Department in cooperation with the National Archives and the Phra Ratchanives Marukkataiwan Foundation.
  • Budget support for the work of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre since 2008.
  • Continuous support for the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO) since 2010.
  • Scholarships for the College of Music, Mahidol University since 2010. Continuous support for the Sukree Charoensuk Foundation since 2010.
 
  • Annual support for the activities of the SuanPlu Chorus group. In 2018, the group represented Thailand at the 2nd Corfu International Festival & Choir in Corfu, Greece, and achieved the highest success with maximum points from all three parts of the competition, for which they were recognized with a Gold Diploma and as the “Supreme Winner”.
  • Support for the research, The Musical Genius of His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej: A Case Study of the Recording of 41 Royal Compositions with Lyrics for Choir by Assoc Prof Dr Manasikarn Laowanit, which celebrates and disseminates the musical accomplishments of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
  • Support for the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music by facilitating opportunities to perform at different events or cooperate in special projects on various occasions. Budget support for the operations of the Luang Pradit Phairoh (Sorn Silapabanleng) Foundation, and for the expansion of the project Friends of Music by creating a network of individuals in Thai music who can support community activities that can reach the wider world.
  • Support for the “Friends of Music” project, starting at Wat Thang Klang School in Bang Pahun, Ayutthaya province where surveys were conducted to assess the potential to teach music to children, including in terms of musical instruments, music teachers or media such as books and multimedia. This includes designed activities for the school and community which music has the role to perform. These help children to learn music.
  • The Friends of Music project has donated various musical equipments and provided support as follows:
    • A donation of 100 piang or flutes (with the support of volunteers) and one group of eight long drums with other assorted percussion instruments to Wat Thang Klang School to be used at cultural and performance-related events such as the Buddhist Lent Candle Procession or Mother’s Day.
    • Joint operations with partnership schools to survey and advise Wat Chulamanee School in Ayutthaya province in order to set plans for teaching Thai music at this school which lacks a Thai music teacher. Operational plans are still being prepared.
    • Expert advice on music from Bangkok at Leu Amnat kindergarden School (Ban Cheuan) in Amnat Charoen Province in the name of promoting knowledge and occupational understanding.
    • Being a central resource in organizing musical activities, providing venues, coordination and publicity, arranging exhibitions and printing souvenir programmes for the public at no expense, at the Reuan Banleng of the Luang Pradit Phairoh (Sorn Silapabanleng) Foundation.

Enhancing Art and Culture Initiatives in the Creative Economy

A winner of the 7th White Elephant Fine Arts Contest titled ‘Farmers’ Children’ by Boonnam Sa-sud under the heading, “Inspiration from Everyone for a Sustainable Community.”

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn officially opened an exhibition of the 7th White Elephant Fine Arts Contest and presented a picture drawn by HRH’s own hand, at Bangkok Art and Culture Center on June 20, 2018.

White Elephant Fine Arts Contest:
To encourage realistic and figurative art and to support artists of these schools to have a dedicated stage to show these specific abilities. The top prize of the White Elephant Fine Arts Contest is 1 million baht. In 2018, the program entered Year 8 under the concept, “Enjoyment of ritual”.
Chayanitikorn Picture Studio:
This opened for the first time at the “Love to Dispel Coldness” event in 2018. It was operated by a ThaiBev team, providing the service of retro-photography to visitors. The service was highly popular and widely discussed. After the “Love to Dispel Coldness” event, many other companies made contact for the studio to provide photography services, with all income donated for public benefit in various forms.
Water Festival:
To foster Thai-style tourism, for young people to experience, perpetuate and talk about the Songkran custom, part of the modern Thai identity. The essence of community lifestyles is part of this valuable cultural heritage.
River Festival:
For the conservation of cultural tourism which showsThai ways of life and which makes Thai tourism outstanding in terms of art and culture, and customs which make up the Thai identity. As such, it makes Thailand well known to tourists from around the world, stimulating further visitors.
 
C asean Consonant :
Bringing the universal language of music to make connections and create unity in a region with people of diverse culture, language, religion and politics. C asean Consonant presents national identities though the sound of the traditional musical instruments of each nation. From the young musicians of the 10 countries of ASEAN to the world community, the journey reflects the attractive traditional art of the ten countries, coordinated to be as one. The aim is to conserve the cultural heritage of music and disseminate it to young people. In 2018, “C asean Consonant” was invited to be part of the Bangkok Art Biennale (BAB 2018) which brought together 75 Thai and foreign artists. The group gave a performance at this event as a form of cultural exchange.


Bangkok Art Biennale:
BAB International modern art festivals have been held for a long time in many cities all over the world. Leading global artists exhibited their modern art works under the concept Beyond Bliss. The word Biennale means “once every two years.” In 2018 a biennale was held in Bangkok as it is a world-renowned global tourist city with a great diversity in religion, ethnicity and community lifestyles. It is a city of art and culture truly reflecting the Thai identity which has been called the Venice of the Orient, which was another inspiration for organizing the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018. This event, besides enhancing Thailand’s image for cultural tourism, has made many artists and tourists pack their bags for Bangkok as another destination to view modern art. Meanwhile, the event provided opportunities to young Thai artists to show off their skills and help develop human resources in the area of creative ideas at 20 viewing sites. The first Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 was held from 19 October, 2018 to 3 February, 2019. The distinctive feature of the Biennale is to show pieces from many branches of modern art at important locations such as historical buildings, riverside locations of the Chaophraya River, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre and the futuristic real estate project, One Bangkok. The event featured the participation of 75 international artists from 33 countries, singly, in pairs and in groups, selected by an international team of curators, with a combined total of over 200 artworks.

Aurele (France) ‘Lost Dog’ or ‘Ma Long’ 2018 gold leaf on fiberglass. Height: 5.90 m. Collection of the Artist.

Yayoi Kusama (Japan) ‘14 Pumpkins’ 2017 inflatable Pumpkins, fabric, 14 pieces Collection of the Artist.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn officially opened Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 at BAB BOX Art Gallery on October 30, 2018.

 

INSIGHT

Professor Apinan Poshyananda
Artistic Director of Bangkok Art Biennale 2018

Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 was the first of its kind in Bangkok, and came about through substantial coordination between the state and the private sector. I must thank the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, various foreign embassies in Thailand, and our network of partners who sponsored this world-class art event, which is to be held every two years.

For the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018, we were all committed to the same hope of making Bangkok a global center for modern art and to help stimulate the tourism industry, generating income for all, from the community of art lovers to the community economy in the areas that the Biennale was held. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports had set an income target from tourism in 2018 of 3 trillion baht. Throughout the four-month duration of the Bangkok Art Biennale, the event attracted tourists, art collectors, curators, artists and the rest of the art scene from all over the world in large numbers, representing massive economic value. We expect that the Bangkok Art Biennale will continue to be an important part of helping the tourism industry meet its revenue targets from quality tourism. It will also help to enhance the country’s tourism image in every dimension, particularly by highlighting Thai art and culture to both Thai and foreign tourists, and by spreading Thainess around the world.

Besides support for tourism, there was an activity for art lovers in Thailand called “DEK BAB”. This was an opportunity for volunteers such as students and members of the public to participate in the Bangkok Art Biennale, acting in the role of ambassadors, connecting the artists with their viewers, whether Thai or foreign, and putting the Biennale in the context of Bangkok. The “DEK BAB” made this Bangkok Art Biennale complete – there were over 700 volunteers. The DEK BAB themselves gained knowledge, experience and understanding of art, and shared it with others.

Statistics of Beneficiaries
Projects and activities supporting the work of teachers and youth in art and culture

Educational activities of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre 2,200 young people
Golden Arrow Thai Music Contest and Golden Arrow Youth Camp 1,600 young people
Friends of Music Program
Wat Thang Klang School, Bang Pahan received a donation of 100 flutes and 8 drums and other percussion instruments for use in processions involving music. The school has used these for various activities in the school and the community. 100 students, 20 teachers
Lue Amnat kindergarden School (Ban Cheuan), Amnat Charoen: Music experts from the Friends of Music program gave occupational advice at a special activity 170 participating students, 15 teachers
Activities of the Sukree Charoensuk Foundation. 7 activities comprise:
Music Therapy at the Child Abuse Care Center, Phetchaburi province Participants: 30
Beneficiaries: 500
Using Music to Develop Young People Project at the Ban Pranburi Child and Youth Training Center Participants: 50
Beneficiaries: 200
Pilot Band for Children and Youth, the Flute and Recorder Group of Wat Suwannaram School Participants: 80
Beneficiaries: 500
Project for Giving Children A Good Background in Local Music at Wat Lad Sai School Participants: 70
Students from nearby schools: 200
Beneficiaries: 500
Research Project in the Study of Musical Gifts Participants: 120
Beneficiaries: 1,500
“A Good Communities with a Smile” Project Participants: 500
Beneficiaries: 5,000
“Phalang Phan Kamlang Jai” Project of Classical Music for Society Participants: 250
Beneficiaries: 1,500

ThaiBev
2018 Sustainability