“Water” is a vital resource for everyone's livelihood and is considered the heart of the business of Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Co., Ltd. We therefore turn the Suntory Group's promise on "Mizu To Ikiru" or "Living with water” into concrete action through projects to educate about water resources including the preservation and improvement of water quality. Recently, the company supported the World Vision Foundation of Thailand to develop groundwater systems and install water filters, with a total value of THB 400,000, for hill tribe students and teachers in Pongklangnamprachasan School, Mae Suai District, Chiang Rai Province. The school is located within a hill tribe, and this makes it hard to access clean water for usage and consumption.
Miss Piengchit Sriprasart, Chief People & Culture and Corporate Affairs Officer at Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Company Limited said, “The Company recognizes the importance of accessing clean water because 'water' is a fundamental of human life. The company therefore provided support to students and teachers at Pongklangnamprachasan School in Chiang Rai province through the World Vision Foundation of Thailand to help improve the quality of life of youth living in remote areas by having access to clean water that is suitable for consumption. This project is not only reinforcing and implementing our corporate commitment but also reflects the vision of Suntory PepsiCo Thailand's 'Growing for Good'. This is the commitment to doing business while taking care of society and the environment. The company remains committed to continuously creating positive changes.”
Dr. Sarawut Rachasrimuang, National Director of the World Vision Foundation of Thailand explains the problem of the lack of clean water resources in the hill tribes; “The lack of clean water for usage and consumption is a long-standing problem in schools and communities located in the hill tribes across provinces such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. The normally water supply system is difficult to access, therefore, most hill tribe people use water from natural sources in the form of mountain water supply systems which often encountered water quality problems. The water has a lot of sediment making the water cloudy and also has bacterial contamination. The World Vision Foundation of Thailand is a civil society organization with a mission to improve the quality of life of underprivileged children without discrimination. One of its many projects is developing clean water systems for schools and communities in many areas in the northern of Thailand. The Foundation is very pleased that Suntory PepsiCo Thailand recognizes the importance of youth access to clean water. The foundation therefore acted as a ‘bridge of goodness’ bringing the company's financial support to build an underground water system and install a water filter for Pongklangnamprachasan School in Chiang Rai which was one of the schools facing water problems.”
Mr. Somdej Pisanpairote, Director of Pongklangnamprachasan School gave thanks to Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and the World Vision Foundation of Thailand; “This is the end of a 40 year wait by students with a lack of access to clean water for their daily consumption and usage especially during the dry season. Previously, although the school had installed a water filtration system that was supported by various agencies, the water was still not clean enough. Sometimes there was a red sediment in the water because the system used in the school was from a mountain water supply. I would like to thank Suntory PepsiCo Thailand and the World Vision Foundation of Thailand for the help provided to carry out the drilling and building of the groundwater system for the school including the installation of new water filters. This has benefitted over 340 students who now have clean water for consumption throughout the year. Students here are hill tribe children. Their families are poor and living on hill tribes far away from civilization. They need help in order to have a good quality of life and I would like to thank all those involved for their kindness in helping to make this great change and improvement.”