Bangkok, — Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a manufacturer and distributor of beverages under the Suntory and PepsiCo brands in Thailand, launched the “Mizuiku” Program 2023 at Saksit Tridech Meeting Room, Pollution Control Department Building, Bangkok. The program this year is in a collaboration with 8 partners from the public and civil sectors, namely Department of Water Resources, Pollution Control Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Primary Educational Service Area Office in the targeted areas of Rayong and Saraburi Provinces under the Ministry of Education, Nam Nao District Administration in Phetchabun Province, the Association for Phetchabun Mountain Range Preservation and Development, Rakpasak Foundation, and "Klong Wises" environmental and social development advocacy group, to raise awareness on the importance of water resources among youth and the public, while engaging the community in preserving the environment through concrete water and environmental conservation activities.

Ms. Piengchit Sriprasart, Chief People & Culture and Corporate Affairs Officer of Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said, “Suntory PepsiCo Thailand is committed to operating the business along with upholding social and environmental caring responsibilities which is in line with the ‘Growing for Good’ value, especially on water resources conservation as water is crucial for human life and lies at the core of our operations. Recognizing the significance of educating individuals about water resources and fostering a sense of water and environmental conservation among youth, the public, and our employees, we have therefore taken concrete actions through the continuation and expansion of our 'Mizuiku' Program. Celebrating its 5th anniversary this year, ‘Mizuiku’ Program 2023 consists of the three primary projects: firstly, ‘Mizuiku Water School Model Contest’, which promotes sustainable water and environmental conservation among primary school children; secondly, ‘Watershed Preservation’ Project, aimed at enhancing knowledge and involvement of local communities; and finally, ‘Good People & Water’ Activity, which aims to raise awareness among employees about the value of water and increase their participation in the company’s water conservation activities.

The “Mizuiku: Education Program for Nature and Water” this year, Suntory PepsiCo Thailand is collaborating with the Department of Water Resources and the Pollution Control Department, both under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Primary Educational Service Area Office in Rayong and Saraburi provinces under the Ministry of Education, and with the environmental and social development advocacy group called “Klong Wises.” The program has expanded its reach to accept applications from primary schools in all administrations of Rayong and Saraburi provinces. After applying, the committee selects 10 suitable schools in each province. The chosen schools then send students and teachers as representatives to participate in the “Water Youth Camp.” This camp aims to enhance skills, knowledge, and understanding of water resource conservation through a variety of hands-on activities. The goal is to empower these students to become leaders who can organize water resource conservation initiatives within their schools. Suntory PepsiCo Thailand also provides financial support to the selected schools for implementing water resource conservation projects in schools, covering four key aspects: School Policy, School Stakeholders, School Infrastructure, and Community Engagement. The school that presents the most outstanding plan and successfully implements water and environmental conservation projects will be recognized as the "Mizuiku Water School Model”.

Mr. Teerachoon Boonsit, Deputy Director-General, Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, remarked at the opening ceremony of the “Mizuiku” Program 2023, “We would like to congratulate Suntory PepsiCo Thailand for its success in organizing the ‘Mizuiku’ Program in the past years. Our appreciation goes towards teachers, students, as well as all individuals involved in conserving water resources and protect the environment in Thailand. The program is in line with the Department of Water Resources’ mission of regulating, controlling, conserving, and developing water resources as well as implementing policies and promote collaboration with all sectors for holistic water management. The ‘Mizuiku’ Program also plays a significant role in imparting the value of water to the younger generation and fostering positive changes in water resource conservation in educational institutions and the surrounding communities. We are ready to support this good project for creating a sustainable future for Thailand.”

As part of the "Watershed Preservation" initiative, Suntory PepsiCo Thailand focuses on raising awareness and fostering participation from local people. This year, the goal is to contribute to the restoration of the ecosystem in the Pa Sak Watershed, located in Lak Dan Subdistrict, Nam Nao District, Phetchabun Province. In collaboration with the Nam Nao District Administration, the Association for Phetchabun Mountain Range Preservation and Development, and the Rakpasak Foundation, the company aims to provide knowledge and guidance to the local people living in the watershed area or called “Kon-Ton-Nam” by creating a watershed conservation demonstration area to demonstrate that people can live in harmony with the forest. The program also includes supporting the establishment of a seedling nursery to enhance green spaces in the watershed of the Pa Sak River.

Mr. Chirasak Tridech, President of the Association for Phetchabun Mountain Range Preservation and Development and a representative of the watershed forest conservation alliance points out to the environmental challenges facing the watershed of the Pa Sak River “the Pa Sak River is one of the most important rivers in the central region, with an annual flow of approximately 2.4 to 5 billion cubic meters. In the past, the region boasted natural swamps, forest lines, and substantial ridges that effectively retained and regulated water flow, amounting to approximately 4 billion cubic meters. The remaining water would gradually nourish the forests and water sources throughout the year, contributing to the area's fertility. However, due to changes in land use, the ecosystem has suffered, leading to deforestation and the emergence of barren mountains. The sustainable solution lies in providing knowledge to the people of the watershed community, enabling them to live in harmony with water. I am pleased to see the private sector like Suntory PepsiCo Thailand recognizes the importance of watershed conservation. By fostering collaboration among the public, private, and civil sectors through establishing a watershed conservation demonstration area and promoting reforestation in the local area, I strongly believe that the ecosystem would be improved, and the local people would be willing to help conserving watershed area as it is their home.”

"In the past four years, the ‘Mizuiku’ Program has engaged over 14,500 students in learning about the importance of water conservation. People in the watershed areas were equipped with knowledge in conserving water by constructing 1,839 check dams to mitigate soil erosion and restore soil moisture. We also planted 115 rai of vetiver grass to restore the quality of soil. Furthermore, in collaboration with local communities, we planted 588 rai of trees in the watershed forest area and built over 40 kilometers of a natural firebreak in Mae Suek Subdistrict, Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai Province. In addition, Suntory PepsiCo Thailand has organized water resource conservation activity under the name ‘Good People & Water' Activity every year, encouraging our employees to have social and environmental responsibility while reinforcing our corporate value of 'Growing for Good'," Ms. Piengchit Sriprasart concluded.