Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited or GULF provided 2,000 pre-packed meal boxes per day to 27 communities in Bangkok, namely, Khlong Toei, Baan Bu, Wat Thepakorn, Wat Thep Nari, Hidayatul Islamiyah, Tawan Pattana, Wang Ta Nuad, Ruam Palang Pattana, Moo 8 Ruamjai Pattana, Abu Pattana, Nurudin, Kamalul Islam, Tung Ruang Thong, Fuang Fah Pattana, Mahad Thai 1, Mahad Thai 3, Wat Thong Bangramad, Wat Krajang, Chim Phli, Wat Samorn Koti Pattana, Moo 13 Bang Ramad, Sirin and Friends, Wat Chan Pradittharam Khet 5, Moo 4 Bang Waek, Moo 5 Bang Waek, Nah Wat Ko Non and Sri Pradoo. The meals are directed especially towards people with disabilities, bedridden individuals, the elderly, the poor and families with young children to alleviate the difficulties these groups may face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pilot project aims to distribute the meal for 7 days with a total of 14,000 boxes. After that, the company will further assess the situation whether to extend the support to other communities.

Mr. Sitamon Ratanavadi, corporate social responsibility assistant, on behalf of Mr. Sarath Ratanavadi, chief executive officer, reiterated “Gulf Group has already supported some hospitals as Thailand and the rest of the world deals with the COVID-19 pandemic but on this occasion, the company care about the people living in the community since people’s lives are being disrupted including income and consumption. GULF understands the significance of this, so we have prepared meal boxes in accordance with proper food hygiene standards for communities requiring assistance. Additionally, we would like to ask for everyone’s co-operation to stay home as much as possible to reduce the spreading of COVID-19”

“Distributing meal boxes through community leaders will reduce the chance of group gathering. These leaders know the people in community well, so the meal boxes certainly reach those in need. Gulf Group is considered as another helping hand, acting similar to the how the aorta branches into a network of smaller arteries and mitigating the hardship of these people. These free meal boxes could help them get through another day during this difficult time,” Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt expressed.

Ms. Prateep Ungsongtham Hata, a Thai activist noted for her work with slum dwellers in the Khlong Toei District and a founder of Duang Prateep Foundation, Foundation for Slum Child Care and Mooban Pattana Community School explained, “Most people in the communities are wage workers relying on daily pay. With business slowing down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no work, causing serious difficulties for the people in the communities. Gulf Group’s free meal initiative is extremely valuable and plays an important role in alleviating the difficulties. We will distribute the meals to those who need them the most, such as the elderly, poor families with young children and those who have lost their jobs who have now become community volunteers. This initiative is a much-needed act of kindness in a difficult time and we would like to sincerely thank Gulf Group for their support.”

Gulf Group recognizes the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and is prepared to play a part in supporting public health workers, medical workers, local authorities on the frontlines and the people in communities affected by the situation. To date, Gulf Group has donated a total of 34 million baht to five hospitals, providing 20 million baht to Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, 5 million baht to the Police General Hospital, 4 million baht to Rajavithi Hospital, 4 million baht to Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute and 1 million baht to the Central Chest Institute of Thailand to fund the procurement of much-needed medical equipment for COVID-19 patients. Additionally, GULF also donated 13,000 high-quality fabric masks to local authorities on the frontline in 10 provinces who are in charge of screening and monitoring civilians. GULF continues to support its mission of promoting the sustainable well-being of local communities and the general society.