Mr. Wee Siew Kim (3rd left), Group Chief Executive Officer of NIPSEA Group; Mr. Jon Tan (2nd left), Deputy Managing Director of Nippon Paint Malaysia Group; Mr. Yaw Seng Heng (3rd right), Group Managing Director of Nippon Paint Malaysia Group; and Mr. Watchara Siriritthichai (Right), General Manager of Nippon Paint Decorative Coatings (Thailand) Co., Ltd., ceremoniously handed over 10 million baht worth of Nippon Paint building paints to Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt (Centre) for the grand renovation of over 300 bridges throughout Bangkok. This momentous collaboration unfolded at the majestic Rattanakosin Room in Bangkok City Hall.
Nippon Paint, revered as Asia’s top paint manufacturer and distributor and holding the fourth spot globally, consistently showcases its commitment to crafting innovative building paints tailored to meet the nuanced needs of consumers. Demonstrating a deep-seated sense of social and environmental responsibility, the company relentlessly strives to enhance the quality of life and nurture more livable communities.
Joining forces with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) under their ambitious cityscape improvement project, part of the volunteer activity “We Do Good with Our Hearts,” Nippon Paint is undertaking the monumental task of renovating over 300 bridges across Bangkok. This includes vehicle overpasses, pedestrian walkways, canal bridges, and railing fixtures. Beyond the aesthetic enhancement, this initiative is set to organize and beautify the urban landscape, rendering it safer and more pleasant for the populace.
The high-quality paints provided, valued at 10 million baht, align perfectly with Nippon Paint’s core values. This significant corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity is dedicated to commemorating His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday on July 28, 2024. Through this initiative, Nippon Paint aims to foster widespread positive change by uplifting the city’s aesthetics and safety, thus enhancing the overall quality of life and well-being of its residents, promoting community happiness, and advancing sustainable growth.
Mr. Wee Siew Kim expressed, “It’s a tremendous honor for Nippon Paint to be a part of the ‘We Do Good with Our Hearts’ volunteer activity. We take immense pride in contributing to the beautification and safety of urban landscapes for daily commuters. Our mission has always been to support society and communities, a mission we’ve pursued in every country where we operate. This collaboration with BMA is poised to bring broad-scale upliftment, enhancing society and communities’ quality of life. Nippon Paint is steadfast in supporting and promoting both physical and mental well-being, crafting joyful atmospheres for all.”
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Watchara Siriritthichai remarked, “We at Nippon Paint are thrilled and honored to participate in this volunteer activity. We understand the pivotal importance of the ‘We Do Good with Our Hearts’ initiative, especially its safety benefits for the users of over 300 bridges. Paint plays an essential role in transforming cityscapes into beautiful, livable spaces. Our contribution, including top-quality Nippon Paint Weatherbond and Nippon Paint Bodelac, worth a total of 10 million baht, is our way of giving back to society. These products assure beauty and durability against varying weather conditions, ensuring the bridges remain safe and visually appealing for years to come.”
Nippon Paint is not stopping there. The company’s upcoming plans include supporting an array of social activities such as enhancing additional urban landscapes, assisting nearby communities, and contributing to educational initiatives. With several projects in the pipeline in collaboration with the BMA, Nippon Paint is poised to make Bangkok a more vibrant, livable city for all.
Bangkok Governor Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the partnership, saying, “We are deeply thankful to Nippon Paint for recognizing and supporting our cityscape improvement project by donating paint for over 300 bridges. This initiative significantly enhances the city’s appearance, creating an orderly, beautiful, livable, and safe environment for daily commuters. This cooperation with Nippon Paint is a pivotal step towards improving the quality of life for Bangkok’s residents, and the BMA will continue to strive towards enhancing public facilities, making Bangkok a truly livable city for everyone.”
Donating paint sounds nice, but is it really a game-changer for Bangkok? Feels like a band-aid solution to me.
It’s a start, John. Better than nothing, and it might inspire other companies to contribute.
True, Sarah. But it would be nice to see more systematic changes rather than temporary fixes.
Systematic changes take time and money, though. It’s not a quick fix. This is a practical step.
This is fantastic! Clean and beautiful bridges make a big difference in a city’s look and feel.
Absolutely, Ming! Aesthetic improvements can uplift the community spirit.
But aren’t we just glossing over bigger infrastructure issues? Paint can’t fix deteriorating structures.
It’s not a cure-all, but it’s a positive step in the right direction. Better to improve what we can.
Such CSR activities are mostly for company image, if you ask me.
Even if that’s true, Maya, the city still benefits from it. Image or not, it’s a win for Bangkok.
Every corporate action has an ulterior motive. Doesn’t mean the social impact is any less real.
I love how this project also commemorates the King’s birthday. It’s a beautiful tribute.
I hope they’ve considered the environmental impact of these paints. High-quality doesn’t always mean eco-friendly.
Good point, EcoWarrior. Would be great if Nippon Paint ensures their products are safe for the environment.
I think it’s a waste of resources. The money could have been better spent on health or education initiatives.
Healthcare and education are important, but so is infrastructure. They all need attention.
Fair point, Patricia. Maybe a more balanced approach would be ideal.
Exactly! We need to look at the overall picture. Infrastructure improvements benefit everyone.
The collaboration between the public and private sectors is crucial for urban development.
This partnership can set a precedent for other cities in Southeast Asia. Kudos to Nippon Paint!
Definitely. Public-private partnerships can accelerate urban enhancement projects.
The volunteer activity ‘We Do Good with Our Hearts’ resonates deeply with community values. It’s more than just paint.
I’m skeptical about the long-term impact of such initiatives. Will these bridges still look good in a few years?
Investments in a city’s aesthetics shouldn’t replace basic public needs like clean water and healthcare.
Totally agree, Melinda. Priorities can get skewed sometimes.
Both are important. We shouldn’t have to choose one over the other.
Bridges are crucial for safety and mobility in a city. This is a practical upgrade for Bangkok.
Yes, but the durability of these upgrades matters. Otherwise, it’s just a temporary fix.
Good to see corporations being socially responsible. More companies should follow Nippon Paint’s example.
True, but let’s hold them accountable to ensure this isn’t just a one-time PR move.
Rather than donating paint, Nippon should have invested in technology to fix traffic congestion. That’s a bigger issue.
At least they are doing something positive. There’s always more to be done, but this is a step forward.