Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility
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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Activities Undertaken by Thanachart Group in Relation to Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility Thanachart Group is a business organization which is committed to giving a comprehensive range of financial services, aiming at fulfilling customer needs at each stage of customer life cycle. The goal of business operations is to make a profit while taking into consideration the impacts on all groups of stakeholders in three areas - social and economic, environmental as well as corporate governance. The objectives are to create, develop, and fulfill business operations while balancing all the dimensions of sustainability-economic, social and environmental. In determining the paths for implementing its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, Thanachart Group makes plans for both CSR-in-Process projects and CSR-after-Process ones, aiming at producing results encompassing as many important issues as possible that are related to the Group’s operation. Process in Reporting on Thanachart Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility The Corporate Governance Code for Listed Companies 2017 which was prepared and publicized by the SEC was adopted by Thanachart Group. The Code serves as principles for the Group not only in developing practice guidelines but also in preparing corporate social responsibility reports. This represents a good starting point for improving the quality of reports and getting ready for the preparation of sustainability reports in the future. The objective is to cover every area that needs to be reported, both at the national and international levels. Although the businesses of Thanachart Group which is a provider of fully-integrated financial services do not have direct impacts on the environment, the Group considers it important to take on responsibility towards protection of the environment in various areas. As well, the Group is determined to develop guidelines on obligations to stakeholders. In particular, the Group’s staff members play an instrumental role in driving, supporting, and ensuring the achievement of the business sustainability goal. Up to 2019, Thanachart group has continued implementing the following programs that take into account all the stakeholders. 1. Social and Economic 1) Financial Literacy Thanachart Group actively promotes financial inclusion as well as financial literacy among the public and entrepreneurs at every level by means of activities and projects as follows: Rethink Rethink Project has been an ongoing CSR activity by TBANK since 2015, based on the sufficiency economy philosophy. The objective is to promote and create awareness among people in the society to reconsider and wisely adjust their spending behaviors to fall within their incomes, and to cultivate financial discipline among the public, aiming at attaining a stable, sustainable and happy life under the slogan “Rethink, Use Money Wisely and Feel Happiness”. In 2019, TBANK still continued with their series of “T-Money Tips” video clips with a view to disseminating and cultivating financial discipline and saving discipline among the public. The series introduced to the general public tips, secrets, and suggestions about practical financial management for use in their everyday life. It was broadcast through a TV network all year round at every TBANK branch nationwide. Topics for presentation in 2019 included: rules in financial planning, Thai people and investment, making a plan to purchase a new car: a brand-new or a used one, how to get rich without relying on pure luck, points to consider before getting into debt, tips in paying off a debt, investing for retirement, financial planning for singles, how to succeed financially etc. 133 THANACHART CAPITAL PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED 2) Promotion of Beneficence to the Society Stakeholders’ Responsibility in Doing Business Thanachart Group promotes beneficence, virtue, morality and potential enhancement of youth, society, the public good and public charity. The Group has been continually undertaking these CSR-after-Process activities-which are extraordinary business operation- and has all along upheld 1 this CSR spirit. Later, as the commercial banking services became one of Thanachart Group’s main businesses with an extensive branch network nationwide, the CSR activities have been implemented by regional hubs with cooperation from the staff members of Thanachart Group. Their customers, business counterparts, and people living in communities have also been invited to participate in the activities. 2 In 2019, the Group organized CSR and environmental protection activities based on the concept of “Act for Social Progress: Act now for a sustainable and progressive society”, aimed at strengthening every dimension of the society in a sustainable way. In this way, the Group has encouraged its executives as well as Thanachart Group employees at every level to participate in creating a better society and to volunteer 3 in various activities, with the “Thanachart CSR Club” serving as the central driving force in mobilizing all the club members. Moreover, Thanachart Group has established the Thanachart Foundation for Thai Society which serves as a key mechanism in driving the implementation of the Group’s CSR activities, aimed at creating a sound and sustainable society as well as social development. This is achieved 4 through networking and coordination as a service to the society in various instances, and through participation in the preservation of Thai arts and culture. Promotion of Education, Religion and Thai Cultural Identity Presentatation of Royal Kathin Robes in 2019 Phrabat Somdet Phra Vajira Klao Chao Yu Hua (Rama X) granted Thanachart Group his royal permission to perform a presentation of 2019 Royal Kathin Robes at Wat Chai Mongkhon, a royal Buddhist temple in Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri. In this connection, the Group, its clients, 1 T-Money Tips “Rules in Financial Planning” business partners, executives, employees and the general 2 T-Money Tips “How to Succeed Financially” public collectively donated 16,027,066.71 baht to support the 3 - 4 Presentation of Royal Kathin Robes in 2019 monastery. The temple then set aside 6,200,000 baht as 134 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 donation to procure “defibrillators” and “hemodialysis machines” for local hospitals, i.e. six hospitals in Chon Buri including Chon Buri Hospital, Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital, Queen Sirikit Naval Hospital, Pattaya City Hospital, Phanut Nikhom Hospital, and Bang Lamung Hospital plus Klaeng Hospital in Rayong as well. Furthermore, TBANK also granted 20 scholarships amounting to 40,000 baht to Wat Chai Mongkhon Child Development Center, Mueang Pattaya, Chon Buri. 5 Historically, Thanachart Group’s first presentation of Royal Kathin Robes was done in the year 2006 at Wat Kaew Korawaram in Krabi Province, and the Group has been adhering to this religious practice ever since. “Thanachart Initiates and Fulfills Thai Identity” Project 6 In appreciation of the royal kindness of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, the Princess Rajasarinisiribajra, who has been attaching great importance to preserving Thai identity and culture, and giving assistance to several underprivileged groups in society, thus making herself a good role model for young people in the country, TBANK humbly invited HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, the Princess Rajasarinisiribajra, to preside over the opening ceremony of the final round of the 48th Annual Contest of “Thanachart Initiates and Fulfills Thai Identity” Project in 2019. The ceremony was held in Suanmali Hall of TBANK’s Suanmali Building for the third consecutive year. “Thanachart Initiates and Fulfills Thai Identity” Project was inherited from Siam City Bank’s project previously called “Siam City Preservation of Thai Identity”. The implementation of the project in 2019 marked the 48th consecutive year. Its main objective is to maintain and preserve Thai identity including reading aloud Thai and using Thai manners in daily life. The project not only helps preserve the unique identity for Thai people and prevent its disintegration over time, but also strikes a balance between social values which have been increasingly affected by foreign cultures. Moreover, this project could inspire our young generation and create their awareness of loving, highly regarding their Thai culture, and help preserving it to eternally stay with our society. The project essentially consists of two main activities including reading aloud contests and Thai manners contests. Representing their educational institutions, students from Prathomsuksa 1 to the University level are provided with an opportunity to participate in the contests to compete for 5 - 6 “Thanachart Initiates and FullFills Thai Identity” Project Somdech Phra Kanishthadhiraj Chao Krom Somdech Phra 135 THANACHART CAPITAL PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED Debaratanarajasuda Siam Boromrajakumari’s Cups, honorable shields and certificates of honor, as well as scholarships. In 2019, there were more than 5,700 students from every region participating in the contests and there were still the Thai manners contests for hearing-impaired children and reading aloud contests through the use of Braille for visually impaired children to compete for Somdech Phra Kanishthadhiraj Chao Krom Somdech Phra Debaratanarajasuda Siam Boromrajakumari’s honorable shields and scholarships. This project serves to 7 promote and support