Humanitarianism first, says Singha boss
Santi Bhirombhakdi might be the president of Singha Corp, the leading beer and beverage company, but he sees capitalism as secondary to humanitarianism.
“As a private company, we need to make it our priority to help our employees and other people in society so that they can live by themselves. It’s not an appropriate time for making any business profit,” Santi said yesterday.
He is seriously concerned about the massive flood, which has hit 21 provinces and crippled hundreds of companies, mainly in manufacturing. They will need two years to recover fully and resume normal business operations.
“It’s the worst flood since I was born,” said Santi, 64. “However, what I have experienced from this is that I have seen Thais joining hand-in-hand to tackle the flood problem.”
Not only have manufacturers been damaged by the flood, but also their support networks. Producers of parts and equipment have also been attacked by water and need to shut down temporarily, he said.
The natural disaster has caused thousands of businesses to suspend operations and nearly a million people are now unemployed. Some factories have cut production by up to 50-60 per cent, he said. The flood crisis will likely not be over until the beginning of next year, he said.
Singha’s three major factories in Rojana Industrial Estate have been closed temporarily because of the flood. It will take three or four months for them to be restored and resume operating.Ayutthaya Glass, a subsidiary of Bangkok Glass, makes glass, Vissie Pack makes plastic bottles and XYPB makes labels.
Singha yesterday opened its Singha Centre@Asoke as the first flood-relief operation and recovery centre to be set up by a company.
At the intersection of New Phetchaburi and Asoke roads on the former site of the Japanese Embassy, the centre will provide urgent and long-term assistance to flood victims in various areas, including technical, medical and psychological, and job assistance.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration should consider designing waterways and a water-management system to tackle flood problems in the future, he said.
The company has diversified risk by building its factories in different locations throughout the country such as Khon Kaen, Surat Thani and Chiang Mai, Santi said.
