Briefs

PTT Group has introduced a 100-per-cent degradable coffee cup, to become the new official package of its Cafe Amazon coffee-shop chain.

Under the "Go Green, Everyday Everywhere" concept, PTT is aiming to demonstrate its commitment to becoming a corporation with strong environmental awareness.

According to the new PTT chief, Pailin Chuchottaworn, consumers should know that bioplastic products are of the same quality as plastic projects, but they are degradable. He hopes that bioplastic will soon be used in other kinds of consumer products, giving it wider use.

Opened in 2002, Cafe Amazon now has 591 branches. The compostable cups are currently available at three branches at the Energy Complex. When they entirely replace the chain's ordinary plastic cups, they will reduce plastic refuse by 800 tonnes per year. The compostable cups degrade naturally in a year.

Tenth labour award　

Toyota Motor Thailand has once more won praise from the Labour Ministry's Labour Welfare and Protection Department for its care for its employees.

The auto-maker has won the department's outstanding labour relationship and welfare award for the 10th consecutive year.

"We place emphasis on mutual trust and respect," said Toyota Motor's senior vice president Vudhigorn Suriyachantananont. "This is the key to handling our labour force. Under this concept, we are steering towards improving the quality of life, safety and the working environment. These philosophies also lead to proper care for families, and this boosts workers' morale and encourages them to work to their best capacity. It is part of our CSR."

The department's award is designed to create favourable working environments and to reduce possible conflict.

"Toyota has extended these understandings and practices to our supply chain, covering our business partners and parts suppliers. If their labour relations are on the same par, their employees' quality of life will be improved. In this way, we are creating fully integrated CSR across the value chain," Vudhigorn said.

Fai-Fah in a box

TMB Bank recently launched a project called "Fai-Fah in a Box", in line with the bank's belief that all people can show responsibility and contribute to society.

"All have the power to change the world for themselves and others," said TMB Bank chief executive Boontuck Wangcharoen.

TMB earlier initiated the Fai Fah Campaign in communities near the bank's branches, encouraging all residents to do something good for their neighbourhood. Young people aged 12 to 17 were invited to join TMB Bank's art project, to help them discover their hidden potential and learn how to be valuable givers and takers.

As a follow-up, the kids' drawings will be put into 25 x 25cm canvas frames and they will be packed in boxes - nine of them in each box, along with paints - becoming "Fai-Fah in a Box".

To commemorate His Majesty the King's 84th birthday, the boxes will be sent to 168 TMB branches: 84 in Bangkok and 84 in the provinces. Bank employees and clients will be invited to colour the drawings. Then, the coloured frames, in their boxes, will be put together and presented to schools, to inspire kids with their potential to improve the world.

Kids' music contest

Mahidol University's College of Music and the Stock Exchange of Thailand are jointly launching the 15th Settrade Youth Music Competition 2011, to promote Thai youth and culture by giving musically-gifted kids the opportunity to display their talents in a creative way and move up to the international stage.

"Youth is the country's main foundation. Aside from knowledge to support their life, music is a skill to promote creativity. Joining this contest will groom the youngsters in terms of patience and concentration. They will also be encouraged to show off in a creative way. Through this, we are creating quality people for society," said SET president Charamporn Jotikasthira.

In the past 14 contests, the organisers have received strong cooperation from music teachers. The competition is open to students from primary grades up to undergraduates who play any kind of music on any kind of acoustic instrument, or sing.

Applications are open until October 31. For more information, visit www.music.mahidol.ac.th, www.set.or.th or www.settrade.com.

Get updates on CSR activities in Thailand at www.csrthailand.net.