CSR briefs

Goodyear Thailand and its associates have pledged their ongoing support to regularly undertake community development activities in communities near where they live and work throughout the country. 

These initiatives include English-language tutoring programmes, donations and community volunteering.

Goodyear Thailand recently donated garbage cans and had a number of associates volunteer their support for neighbourhood clean-up programmes in Hongsakul, Pathum Thani. 

Goodyear Thailand has its manufacturing plant based at Tambon Klong Nueng of Klong Luang district in Pathum Thani.

“One of the shared values from Goodyear’s global mission is that we are committed to caring for our environment and communities, both large and small. Goodyear is an industry leader in product sustainability, while also ensuring we protect our associates, facilities, the environment and the communities in which we operate. 

“Our communities are where we live and work, volunteer and help,” Finbarr O’Connor, managing director of Goodyear Thailand, said last week.

Last year, Goodyear Thailand was recognised for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) and community development efforts, receiving the Industry Ministry’s CSR-DIW Award for commitment to being a responsible member of society. 

The CSR-DIW Award was aimed at promoting industrial facilities that have consistently operated in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.

Goodyear’s support and community involvement around the globe consist of “giving and doing” opportunities that touch basic human needs such as hunger and health, as well as education activities related to improving reading skills and readiness for higher education, employability and future careers. 

 

Chevrolet’s dream prize for young footballers

Chevrolet’s “Play for Dreams” campaign, a youth soccer competition launched in June, ended in a final play-off among 20 children at a football school in Bangkok from August 10-13.

This inaugural competition will send the five finalists to watch a Manchester United football match at Old Trafford Stadium in the UK later this year.

The winners are Pobtham Wandee of Prince Royal’s College in Chiang Mai, Jakkrapong Saenmahung of Chumchon Dongmafai Charoensin School in Sakhon Nakhon, Nattawut Luangborisut of Thakham Pittayakom School in Chon Buri, Natthaphat Sitthisuwannakun of Assumption Convent Lamnarai School in Lop Buri and Nattakit Srisombat of Phramaemary Sathupradit School in Bangkok.

“This campaign has been an incredible journey. There is so much young football talent in Thailand. In addition to about 3,000 children, the event generated more than 3,000 unique visitors to our site, 350 application downloads and more than 7,000 in event traffic,” Marcos Purty, managing director of GM Thailand and Chevrolet Sales Thailand, said last week.

“We couldn’t have done it without our dealer network. They served as registration centres for try-out participants, and provided logistical support for the campaign. About 500 participants registered for the campaign at Chevrolet’s dealerships,” he said. “To children who did not make it, do not be disheartened. Chevrolet has a long-term association with football, and we will continue to work with organisations like Zico to bring youth football to the next level,” he said.

 

China to scrap purchase tax of electric vehicles

China will exempt electric cars and other types of “new energy” vehicles from purchase tax, the government said last week as it seeks to reduce pollution and conserve resources.

The State Council, or cabinet, said that buyers of new energy vehicles – fully electric, hybrid and fuel cell cars – would not have to pay the levy from September to the end of 2017, according to a statement.

The tax is 10 per cent of the net value of the vehicle, according to state media.

“For achieving industrial development and environmental protection, this is a win-win,” the State Council said in the statement.

The exemption applies to imported vehicles as well as domestically produced ones, the statement said, adding the government would compile a catalogue of eligible models.

The government has set a target to have 5 million new energy vehicles on the streets by 2020. But China has only 70,000 currently in use, the China Daily newspaper reported. – Agence France-Presse

 

Enhancing lives with ACE 

ACE Group, a life and general insurance operator in Thailand, jointly launched a corporate social responsibility project, “Enhancing Lives with ACE”, to university students. 

With support of Bt200,000, the initiative is open to university students to submit CSR proposals that are in line with ACE’s overarching philanthropic support for improving education and health, alleviating poverty and saving the environment. 

Three teams will be selected from among the entries. The top team will receive up to Bt100,000 while two runner-up teams will each receive up to Bt50,000 to support their proposed CSR programmes. 

Applications are open until Friday.

Besides financial support, the winning teams will have the opportunity to participate in ACE’s regional “Day of Service” next month. A regional initiative inaugurated in 2012, the Day of Service provides an opportunity for ACE’s employees in Asia-Pacific to rally together and be involved in community outreach projects and activities in their localities. 

 

AirAsia promotes sufficiency economy

Over 70 students and teachers from remote schools were recently flown to Hua Hin, as part of AirAsia's effort to promote His Majesty's sufficiency economy.

Selected from 14 of its destination provinces, they boarded FD 9090 flight to visit “Chang Hua Man Project Under Royal Patronage”.

They observed the growing of cash crops and saw the scale holding a potato in His Majesty’s personal office in Klai Kangwon Palace as well as the Hua Hin Royal Rain Making Centre.

The Chang Hua Man Royal Project spans a total area of 250 Rai in Baan Nong Kok Kai of Tambon Khao Krabuk in Ta Yang district of Petchburi province.  

The centre features various cash crops, garden plants and local fruits, all carefully selected and cared for by the joint effort of state agents and local villagers.  

The centre also houses windmills that produce clean energy, making it a prime location to study sustainable agriculture.