Bangkok – 25 July 2008: The Honda Group of Companies in Thailand, in consultation with Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul, and in conjunction with the Office of The Royal Development Projects Board and the Ministries of Education; Natural Resources and Environment; Energy; and Agriculture and Co-operatives; and the Thailand Environment Institute, today officially rolled out the Honda School Environment Project V for 2008-2009 to win the HM the King’s Cup under the “Follow The King’s Path with Honda” theme. Schools nationwide are invited to apply to participate in the project from today until August 31, using His Majesty’s initiatives for the environmental management programs in their schools.

Joining the signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding, which took place at the Makawan Rangsan Room, Royal Thai Army Club, were representatives of participating agencies including Ms. Srinit Boonthong, Deputy Secretary-General, Office of the Royal Development Project Board; Dr. Charuaypon Torranin, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education;
Dr. Saksit Tridech, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; Dr. Twarath Sutabutr, Director of Policy and Strategy Coordination Office, Ministry of Energy;
Mr. Thavatchai Samrongwatana, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives; Dr. Qwanruedee Chotichanathawewong,  Assistant President of the Thailand Environment Institute (TEI); Khunying Chodchoy Sophonpanich, President of the Thai Environment and Community Development Association; and Mr. Adisak Rohitasune, Chairman of the Honda School Environment Project.

According to Adisak Rohitasune, who is also Senior Vice President for Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., “To mark its 10th anniversary, the School Environment Project V has been redesigned to focus on more self development. His Majesty’s concepts will be applied to determine the innovative standards for competition and individual development. Classroom learning will be integrated with local wisdom to boost the awareness of tangible practices for environmental protection among students and their communities. The project is also intended to intensify the relationship between participating students and their communities to support further development and application of local wisdom.”

Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul, President of the Sirindhorn International Environment Park Foundation and Project Advisor, expressed his opinion about addressing environmental issues in line with Royal initiatives: “His Majesty The King said that solutions for the environment must start from the heart.  People must be aware of the problem.  Environmental challenges are all around us, whether it is energy, waste or polluted water. These problems gradually become more severe, which makes it necessary for everybody to pay closer attention and take bold action to solve them.

“It is good to see such close collaboration among the various parties and ministries to drive this project.  By uniting and working seamlessly together, they can help address environmental problems through schools, students and communities nationwide.  This can help us to bring back the natural balance to our little planet, in which nature is preserved in a sustainable manner,” said Dr. Sumet.

The Honda Group of Companies in Thailand initiated the School Environment Project in 1999 to honor H.M. The King’s 72nd anniversary. The project has been conducted on a continual basis, during which time Honda granted funding to 600 schools nationwide. The essence of the project is to encourage schools to act as a center for community initiatives that use local wisdom and innovative thinking to address environmental problems and develop their communities. The school that demonstrates the most outstanding results will receive the H.M. The King’s Cup and will join the previous four winners of the Royal trophy, which are Baan Klong Ha Nua School in Surat Thani; Baan Ngiew Mai School, Chiang Rai; Kudbak Phattana Suksa School in Sakhon Nakhon and Sa School in Nan.

“Given the remarkable successes of the winning schools in the past, this year, we would like to elevate the four schools to be learning centers for the project. By volunteering to take on this role, they will serve as models for other schools and communities to define environmental standards and further protect local wisdom. We will also provide a wide range of assistance including knowledge enhancement camps, scholarships in support of the learning centers and visits to interesting environmental management activities.” added Adisak.

Interested schools nationwide can submit their project proposals related to environmental development from today until August 31, 2008. A judging committee will review the project proposals. In October 2008, they will announce the schools for which proposals have been selected to receive funds for project implementation.

Field trips to inspect the school project implementation sites will take place periodically throughout 2008. The winning schools will be announced in November 2009. Awards will include two prizes of The King’s Cup, HRH Princess Soamsawali Plaque and plaques in recognition of the teachers who advised the schools that make it to the final round.

For further information, please contact the Project Co-ordination Center at 0-2752-7697 or 0-2751-8166