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Published on October 18, 2007

Electricity Generating is one example, but its over-the-top PR commercial on television has instead sparked public criticism.

Industrial conglomerate Siam Cement Group has come up with a long list of programmes, chiefly targeting young innovators and sportsmen.

PTT has awarded funds for this and that project, aside from mangrove reforestation.

So are you curious about what executives based in Map Ta Phut are doing? That's the district in Rayong notorious for the toxic substances suspected of inflicting the locals with rare diseases.  

These executives are the ones who have to deal with local communities since their plants are so close to them.  Indeed, they have to sleep, eat and work there, side by side with the locals.

During his meeting with reporters last week in Rayong, Suwanunt Chatiudom, PTT executive vice president for gas operations, shared a tip in forging a harmonious relationship with your neighbours.

The company has allocated a 60-rai area for a garden where spices and herbs are grown. Moreover, 200 rai of its gas separation plant have also been set aside for a garden.

Most importantly, the company's employees must take turns to attend social functions organised by nearby communities. That means whenever a villager is to be ordained a monk, a PTT employee will join the ceremony.

While PTT has set benchmarks to determine if it has achieved business goals, it has also set benchmarks to determine if employees meet its CSR (corporate social responsibility) goals.

"Every employee must attend at least one function in a year," Suwanunt said.

So far, PTT Gas has suffered from few populist attacks. Hopefully, friendly bonds with the locals will prevent any more in the future.

achara_d@nationgroup.com