Bangkok--25 Sep--SET The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Social Development and Human Security Mr. Paiboon Wattanasiritham led Thai business leaders in launching the Corporate Social Responsibility Institute (CSRI) to benefit Thai society and the environment. The 10 organizations participating in the Institute’s inauguration were the Association of Investment Management Companies, Association of Securities Companies, Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations, Federation of Thai Industries, Listed Companies Association, Securities Analysts Association, The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), Thai Bankers’ Association, Thai Chamber of Commerce and Thai Investors’ Association. The Thai government places a high priority on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its public promotion, and so Deputy Prime Minister Paiboon will be an CSRI advisor. CSR is part of the national agenda and the government has a unit dedicated to encouraging social, environmental and community development activities, in cooperation with the private sector. The establishment of CSRI, strongly endorsed by business, will greatly benefit our society, Deputy Prime Minister Paiboon said. SET’s mission includes being a model for, and stimulating public participation in, CSR. By working closely with the Institute, the Exchange will continue to involve the business sector in benefiting Thai society and the environment, SET Chairman Mr. Pakorn Malakul na Ayudhya noted. “Society needs support from business to prevent and resolve problems, and to ensure that standards of living keep pace with economic development,” Mr. Pakorn added. In addition to the joint declaration from the business sector and the Deputy Prime Minster, Kasikornbank PCL Chief Executive Officer Mr. Banthoon Lamsam delivered the keynote address and a panel of leading executives discussed how CSR can help business and society develop together. The panelists were Government Pension Fund Secretary-General Mr. Visit Tantisunthorn, PTT PCL’s Research and Technology Institute Executive Vice President Dr. Songkiert Tansamrit, Siam Cement Group Vice President Mr. Roongrote Rangsiyopash, Siam Commercial Bank PCL President Ms. Kannikar Chalitaporn and Thaipat Institute Director Mr. Pipat Yodpreutikarn. A number of organizations provided public displays illustrating their CSR activities. These were Bangchak Petroleum PCL, Kasikornbank PCL, Siam Cement Group, PTT PCL, Population and Community Development Association, SET’s Thailand Securities Institute, Srinakarinwirot University, Thailand Knowledge Park (TK Park) and the Vocational Education Commission. The CSRI will be a core body campaigning for CSR awareness and encouraging businesses to be socially responsible. The Institute will match contributors with recipients on a needs basis and, by publishing guidelines and using its website www.csri.or.th, promote the theory and practice of CSR to relevant organizations. The Institute will create a database of CSR specialists for use by the Thai business sector. For more details on CSRI and its activities, please visit www.csri.or.th For more information, please contact the Corporate Communications Dept.: Ladawan Kantawong Tel: 0-2229-2036 / Sarinluck Jitkawong Tel: 0-2229-2037 / Nattaporn Boonprapa Tel: 0-2229-2049 / Watsamon Saowakhonsathien Tel: 0-2229-279