Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production is taking its corporate social responsibility policy seriously, chairman Thara Threerathanakorn said yesterday.

At the end of last year the company had donated Bt50 million for its student-scholarship programme.

Education is just one part of the company's "4E strategy": environment conservation, energy conservation, employee engagement and education.

Thara said youth education was to the fore and it was encouraged to protect and conserve the environment. Youth is encouraged to save energy and the company's staff is active in society.

"Business and society must live together," Thara said. "Business today cannot focus solely on profit. It's still the ultimate goal for business, but we need to be involved in social development, too."

He said Chevron Thailand's activities here had become a prototype for Chevron in other countries, many having come to see how the projects work.

"Aside from a good image we are devoted to ensuring the sustainability of the projects and their partnerships and social benefits."

In 2006 Chevron Thailand embarked on several projects. One was with the Phra Dabos Foundation providing education for underprivileged youth. Upon graduation these students will return to their homes where they will work to make improvements.

As much as Bt25 million in scholarships has been awarded. Administering the social initiatives cost another Bt15 million. Public donations to the projects totalled Bt16.7 million.

Chevron Thailand is member of Chevron, the world's largest energy company.

In December, Chevron Thailand produced an average of 1.55 million cubic feet of natural gas a day, 46,475 barrels of liquefied gas and 98,363 barrels of crude oil.

Watcharapong Thongrung

The Nation