BTS finds platform to give back to society
BACKED by 19 years of experience operating the BTS Skytrain network in Bangkok, BTS Group Holdings Plc is pursuing a vision to usher in sustainable development for the benefit of all levels of society under its City Solutions concept, chairman Keeree Kanjanapas said.
In accordance with the group’s City Solutions vision for society, as well as its commitment to the sustainability development goals of the United Nations, BTS Group recognises the role and responsibilities it has as a corporate leader to contribute to the community. That’s because good living conditions for the people in a society play an important role in supporting the success of the business, Keeree said recently.
He said BTS Group aims to improve the quality of life and well-being of the community in three areas: public health, quality education and environmental and ecosystem protection. By doing so, it not only responds to the needs of the community, but also to the expectations of stakeholders. Furthermore, it provides opportunities for employees at all levels of BTS Group to participate in this quest, as they, too, recognise the responsibility of the group in helping to improve society through activities in order for all parties to grow together sustainably.
In line with the policy focus on the three areas, BTS Group is implementing community and social development projects and activities in accordance with the group’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy. This policy had been framed by the group’s corporate governance committee, which consists of the chairman and the directors. They are responsible for monitoring the implementation of corporate social responsibility policy and plans that are aimed at improving the quality of life and well-being of members of society. The group’s Corporate Social Responsibility Office is tasked with surveying the needs of the community in the target area and then organising projects and activities that can meet these needs. “As a result of our cooperation with leading hospitals, we introduced the Sky Clinic Project, which provides free health check-ups to people living near the BTS Skytrain,” Keeree said. “This initiative is aimed at enhancing the quality of life of people and encouraging them to take care of their health, as well as supporting the goal of accessibility to medical services. This helps reduce the cost of public health services to the public.”
He said the Sky Clinic has been operating since 2000. Over that time, more than 30,000 people have participated in the Sky Clinic, as well as 15 specialised medical partners who are part of the collaborative network.
“Another project, The Next Station Happiness by BTS Group, is aimed at helping to provide significant levels of aid to students and people living in remote rural areas nationwide. Contributions provided by the BTS Group came from schools and a community survey by Corporate Social Responsibility Office, which conducts surveys every one to two months.
Under this project, more than 200 senior citizens benefited from check-ups by medical staff of Vibhavadee Hospital. Lunch was hosted for all participants, consisting of noodles, ice cream, grilled meatballs and fried chicken wings. A highlight was the presentation of Rabbit-shaped piggy banks by board members to encourage the students attending to practise good saving habits.
The Next Station Happiness by BTS Group project began in 2015-16 and remains in operation. Over the years, 16 schools and communities nationwide have participated in the project. Some 4,385 students and other residents in the community had their facilities improved.
“With our goal to provide better quality of life for people in the city, we have continued to provide more activities to support them in three areas: public health, quality education and environmental and ecosystem protection. This forms part of our efforts to improve the quality of living of people in the community,” Keeree said.
