: Rayong Province, in collaboration with the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited (SCGC), and Map Ta Phut Tank Terminal Company Limited, a subsidiary of SCGC, organized a ceremony to present financial support to communities affected by the incident involving Map Ta Phut Tank Terminal Company Limited. The funds are intended to support CSR activities, allowing the communities to carry out public benefit projects. The ceremony was presided over by Traiphop Wongtrairat, Governor of Rayong Province, with the attendance of Pamuk Tepalakul, Assistant to the Governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, Sakchai Patiparnpreechavud, Chief Executive Officer & President of SCGC, Mongkol Hengrojanasophon, Chief Operations Officer of SCGC, Tawin Phobuathong, Mayor of Map Ta Phut Municipality, Suchin Poonhiran, Mayor of Ban Chang Municipality, and Santi Butsabasri, Deputy Mayor of Mapkha Pattana Municipality, along with representatives from over 80 communities. The event was held at the Rayong Provincial town hall.
Traiphop Wongtrairat, Governor of Rayong Province, said, "Rayong Province has issued an order to establish a committee to oversee and monitor the assistance and compensation for the incident involving Map Ta Phut Tank Terminal Company Limited. The province has been coordinating and discussing continuously with SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited (SCGC), Map Ta Phut Tank Terminal Company Limited, the communities, and relevant agencies to establish a framework for providing speedy and fair assistance to the affected communities. A joint meeting was held on 4 June 2024, where an agreement was reached on the framework for supporting the affected individuals and CSR activities for the communities and fishing groups. The ceremony to present financial support for the affected communities, as declared in the public disaster area announcement, and to support CSR activities, is to be conducted first. For communities that have directly experienced impacts on their livelihoods, health, and property and have already submitted claims, the province has assigned heads of government agencies to coordinate with the company and community representatives to expedite the assistance and compensation processes for these affected groups promptly."
Sakchai Patiparnpreechavud, Chief Executive Officer & President of SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited (SCGC), said, "The company deeply apologizes for and regrets the incident involving Map Ta Phut Tank Terminal Company Limited. We have taken steps to provide financial support to the affected communities, structured into three main categories: 1) Providing financial support to two communities designated as disaster areas: Takuan Ao Pradu and Nong Fab, based on their registered population. For residents living in rental properties not listed in the official registry, the company will provide relief packages; 2) Assisting and compensating affected individuals, with a committee established by Rayong Province to oversee and monitor the assistance and compensation process, chaired by the Governor of Rayong; and 3) Supporting CSR activities by allocating special funds for community public benefit projects. This will be directed to communities within Map Ta Phut Municipality, Mapkha Pattana Subdistrict Municipality, and Ban Chang Subdistrict Municipality, covering 62 communities and 21 fishing groups. The total CSR budget supported by the company amounts to 7,250,000 baht. This financial support for the communities is part of the first and third categories. The second category is currently under the committee's supervision."
Pamuk Tepalakul, Assistant to the Governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, added, "The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), in collaboration with SCGC and Map Ta Phut Tank Terminal Company Limited, immediately intervened to assist the affected communities. We have communicated clearly and built confidence in our efforts to support the impacted residents. Following the incident, we have worked closely with Rayong Province, SCGC, relevant agencies, and the communities to establish a framework for assistance. This collaboration aims to ensure the swift and thorough support of the affected individuals. The safety of industrial operations is paramount to sustainable industrial development. As the regulatory body overseeing industrial estates and industrial ports, the IEAT has been actively promoting the management of factories nationwide based on principles of environmental governance and safety standards to ensure transparency and accountability, demonstrating the industrial sector's commitment to social responsibility, particularly towards the communities surrounding industrial estates."