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Community Development
From drought in late-2019 to the outbreak of COVID-19, the prices of agricultural products have fallen due to decreasing demand in global markets. Amidst this unprecedented crisis, ThaiBev stepped in to provide aid and support. Community development projects have addressed many of these issues, with goals to improve local economy through knowledge transferring and vocational training and to improve forest and water resources. These will give choices to farmers to remain self-reliant. In this way, communities can be made more self-sustainable, while serving as models for other areas further on.
“ThaiBev Unites to Fight the Cold” Project
The “ThaiBev Unites to Fight the Cold” project has been underway for 21 years. The project aims to help those vulnerable to coldness in the north and northeast, and involves cooperation from the Ministry of Interior, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, and provincial governors, including allies from both public and private sectors that increase by year to deliver this warmth. Each year, ThaiBev distributes 200,000 green blankets to communities affected by cold temperatures in the north and northeast. To date, 4.2 million blankets have been delivered to 45 provinces in Thailand. More than 80% of those who receive blankets from the
“ThaiBev Unites to Fight the Cold” project enjoy protection from cold temperatures and say that the project has improved their health and livelihood. So, this year, ThaiBev is delivering eco-friendly blankets. The blankets are fleece made from recycled PET bottles. Some 200,000 blankets reduce waste of up to 7.6 million PET bottles (1 blanket: 38 bottles)
Apart from giving out blankets in the area, ThaiBev also provides support in other aspects:
It organizes the “For Kids with Love from ThaiBev” project to give out scholarships to students in every school in the area, along with classroom materials and sports equipment to schools in need.
With voluntary cooperation from Suandok Hospital and Ruamphaet Yasothon Hospital, a mobile medical unit performs all-in-one health checks using professional staff and medical equipment.
The “1 Share, 1 Warm-up” project provides an opportunity for other parties such as voluntary employees and business partners to donate for 1 blanket to children and youth in vulnerable communities beyond “ThaiBev Unites to Fight the Cold” project’s selection of 15 provinces each year. They also get to provide free lunch, with recreational activities tothe kids.
“Developing Water, Developing Lives, Developing Quality of Life” project, Dong Duai, Sukhothai province
ThaiBev cooperated with Utokapat Foundation (Under Royal Patronage of H.M. the King) to help conserve water resources, ensure efficient water management processes, and develop a sustainable economy. The project started by reviving a fish conservation area by dredging 680 meters of Klam canal. This maintained a water level suitable for fish conservation during dry season, and helped manage and store water in the canal for later consumption and agriculture. To date, the number of fish farmers with a large farm of Chumpon-strain climbing perch (Pla mo) has grown to 43 farmers. The production volume is 900 kilograms per farm, with earnings of 63,000 baht per farm. As for the operation based on the New Theory of Agriculture, a new water distribution system has been developed to use less water in Ban Wangsriprai village, Dong Duai, Kong Krailat, Sukhothai. On a 9-rai plot of land. As a result, expenses have decreased to 2,000 baht per month while incomes have increased to 10,000 baht per month.
The Recovery of Nature in the Environment Project, in Celebration of the Auspicious Occasion of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s 5th Cycle Birthday Anniversary
ThaiBev supported the restoration of forest and biodiversity in a 17-rai plot of land at Sirindhorn International Environmental Park in Cha-am District, Phetchaburi province, under the “Recovery of Nature in the Environment Project, in Celebration of the Auspicious Occasion of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s 5th Cycle Birthday Anniversary.” A budget of 2,978,400 baht was provided, and ThaiBev’s management team and volunteers have joined to help with reforestation and mangrove rehabilitation efforts for 6 years. In 2019-2020, ThaiBev used drip irrigation systems and water-spraying trucks to plant and water existing trees and additional trees, covering an area of 17 rai, where vehicles can access. Organic fertilizer using Phetchaburi Provincial Land Office’s recipe was added to these trees, and pruning and trimming were also done to help them grow.
“Rehabilitation for Victims of Landslide and Mudslide” project, Ban Huai Khap village, Nan Province
Ban Hai Khap village, Moo 7, Bo Kluea Nuea was affected by a landslide and mudslide on 27 July 2018. The disaster included fatalities, and 61 houses belonging to 66 families were destroyed. Since landslides and mudslides can recur, villagers and related sectors agreed upon moving the community to another piece of land. ThaiBev cooperated with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Community Organizations Development Institute, and partner agencies in Nan province. A budget was provided to construct 60 houses for 247 affected residents.
Activities and Achievements
The construction of 60 houses for the Baan Mun Kong rural housing project has been completed. Conditions were given to local contractors to hire local labor for the project’s construction. This meant that the villagers gained construction skills and knowledge, as they were involved in the building of their houses; they also earned income from their work. A total of 46 villagers were hired, with total income at 1,949,800 baht (over 8 months).
Promoting “A Good Community with Smile” Project for New Generation
“A Good Community with Smile” project to visit the area and drive the project. Reaping benefits from new generation who return to their hometown, it marked an expansion from the “Unite for Our Hometown” project. Young people seeking to improve local business are key to the cooperation with other sectors to bring happiness and smile back to their hometown, and also to achieve sustainable benefits in all aspects. By emphasizing district and provincial cooperation, the community is encouraged to participate in the work to promote social, economic, and environmental benefits.
Example models of “A Good Community with Smile”
A Good Community with Smile at Laem Sing, Chanthaburi province: community-based tourism development project at “Ban Pla - Thanakarn Pu” Nature & Environment Learning Center
The “Ban Pla - Thanakarn Pu” Nature & Environment Learning Center is located in Bang Sa Kao, Laem Sing. It was founded in response to mangrove forest encroachment. Since mangrove forests are nursing habitats for fish and a local resource for food, an assembly was formed to conserve these resources with plans to develop a learning center and tourist attraction in the community. A Good Community with Smile at Laem Sing supported the community to establish a working team with a clear management guideline and involved partners agencies to develop and fulfil the community’s potential by spotlighting local fisherman’s way of life, local handicraft known as reed mats (Suea kok), and remarkable local dishes to promote ecotourism and local ways of life. The traditional occupation of weaving reed mats has also been developed to produce new types of products to meet market demand and create more value. Moreover, the community shop “Laem Sing’s Good Community with Smile” selling local products. A homestay-style of hospitality service was also developed to welcome tourists and provide a further opportunity to generate income.
ThaiBev’s Forest Conservation Program with the Huai Hong Khrai Royal Development Study Center to Improve Quality of Life in Nan Province
With collaboration from the Huai Hong Khrai Royal Development Study Center, ThaiBev has utilized His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great’s development model to restore watershed forests and improve quality of life for the locals living around degraded forest areas, so they live self-sustainably and harmoniously with nature. The villagers follow the principles of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Suff
Philosophy. The model has been applied to areas in Nan province after it proved successful in Doi Saket, Chiang Mai province. 2 villages were chosen for the project: Srinapan village, Rueang municipality, in Mueang Nan district and Nam Poon village, Nam Pang municipality, in Mae Charim district. In a span of 5 years (2015-2019), ThaiBev has brought the community to learn about livestock, agriculture, and fisheries at the Huai Hong Khrai Royal Development Study Center, so they could adapt it to their own community. ThaiBev also provided various materials for domestication, planting, and daily consumption; these included three species of pigs, Thai black-tailed chickens, hens, frogs, catfish, tilapia, mushrooms, and fruit seedlings.
Community-based Tourism Project: Following the Footsteps of Luang Pu Man Phurithatto
ThaiBev, in collaboration with Sirivadhanabhakdi Foundation and the Department of Community Development, Ministry of Interior, recognizes the importance of celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Luang Pu Man Phuritatto, who was honored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a key figure of world peace. There was an opportunity to organize a community-based tourism project to follow in his footsteps. People can travel and learn about the history, his routine and conduct, and his teachings. To distribute that income to enterprises, shops, restaurants, homestays, product manufacturers, and souvenir shops in the community. These, eventually, can be developed further into new social enterprises. In the community-based tourism project 12 provinces and 35 destinations were visited. 6 touristic routes were created in 1. Chiang Mai 2. Lop Buri 3. Nakhon Nayok 4. Ubon Ratchathani - Amnat Charoen 5. Sakon Nakhon - Nakhon Phanom and 6. Udon Thani - Loei - Nong Khai - Nong Bua Lamphu with 35 communities participating (1 community per destination), and in the beginning, generated over 90,000 baht for the communities. For more details, please visit www. luangpumun-cbt.org
Commitments and Achievements
Return the Smile to the Community:
Helping Thai farmers through the COVID-19 crisis
As the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down trade and exports, the agricultural sector has faced oversupplies. ThaiBev cooperated with Namjai ThaiBev Company Limited and Pracharath Rak Samakkee (Thailand)
Company Limited to provide aid by purchasing tens of tons of mangos from various local farmers at market prices. The mangos were then processed to add value and generate income for the community. The processed products were also delivered to those impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
1. Bought high-quality Nam Dok Mai mangos at low prices from farmers facing export problems in Udon Thani province.
2. Bought mangos from farmers facing oversupply problems in Nan province, and processed them into mango ice cream that was then distributed under the SOS brand.
3. Bought Mahachanok mangos, Nam Dok Mai mangos, longans, and papayas from farmers who faced oversupply and delivered them to elephants in need. The Thai Elephant Alliance Association helped to select the following areas:
Moving Forward
ThaiBev continues to support self-sustaining communities, within the framework of community development and focuses on various activities in the following missions:
Grassroots economy: Operate community development projects in areas around factories and other model areas; enable communities to develop themselves and form social enterprises in at least 2 areas
Water resource management: Add more green areas and at least 1 area for community water management.
“ThaiBev Unites to Fight the Cold Project” will continue by giving out fleece blankets made from recycled plastic bottles to emphasize the importance of environmental preservation.
