PTT values the importance of social, environmental and health impact management in every project. This is to ensure that operations throughout the project lifecycle, before, during and after operations are controlled to avoid any disturbances to or negative impact on society, the environment, and safety, allowing co-existence on a sustainable footing with local communities. By conducting impact assessments, defining preventive mitigations, and monitoring measures to oversee the practices of contractors and employees, PTT can ensure that projects are managed strictly in line with the prescribed procedures and measures.
Social, Environmental and Health Impact Analysis
PTT conducts social, environmental and health impact studies for all projects. These studies are within the scope of the EIA preparation process, which is required by law and which must be prepared in compliance with the criteria, methodology, regulations and guidelines on EIA reports under the Notification of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and other relevant laws. In addition, in case of project expansion or modification, environmental impact assessments must be reviewed to maintain compliance with conditions attached in the annex approved in the EIA report. The study and impact analysis are jointly carried out by academic institutions or agencies registered with the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP). The assessment includes social, environmental, and health surveys as well as engagement with stakeholder groups in order to use the information collected to assess potential impacts and identify preventive mitigation and monitoring measures prior to the submission of the EIA report to the ONEP and relevant agencies for approval. Monitoring measures are evaluated for compliance by a third party organization and the results are submitted to the ONEP and other relevant agencies every six months throughout the project life.
PTT conducts public consultation for all projects to disseminate and disclose information about the project’s EIA report preparation to relevant stakeholders. Communication covers issues including project overview and information, potential impacts, as well as mitigation and monitoring measures for environmental, social, and health impacts. All stakeholders are encouraged to engage by providing their opinions and recommendations with regard to project development, in order to generate useful information for preparing the mitigation and monitoring measures for the social, environmental and health impact assessment.
PTT requires that all of its major capital projects conduct public participation by adopting the guidelines on public consultation developed by the Office of the Prime Minister. PTT encourages all stakeholders to share their opinions, while also taking into consideration the comments and concerns of stakeholders to formulate preventive and mitigation measures to minimize concerns relating to negative impacts and conflicts from project operation. In addition, community understanding and attitude measurements toward project operations are measured through questionnaire surveys, the findings of which will then be incorporated into future project planning.
PTT identifies participation procedures for public consultation as follows:
- Disseminate and present the project’s preliminary information;
- Organize a public hearing with stakeholders such as communities in the project area, relevant local government agencies, and private sector organizations;
- Present the best alternative option based on stakeholders’ feedback, and measures for reducing initial environmental impacts;
- Explain the construction procedures for each project and mitigation measures, as well as organize public hearings to gauge the opinions/concerns of stakeholders in order to be informed on how to resolve identified conflicts and minimize potential conflicts arising from the project operation, which may affect people’s well-being and have a negative impact on the community in the project area; and
- Resolve issues and follow up on any complaints resulting from the construction.
PTT avoids operating projects which require permanent community resettlement. Locations and routes for construction are designed to avoid or minimize disturbance to land use and property to the minimum level in order to gain acceptance from communities through different engagement processes, including the EIA study and public consultation. In case no alternatives are available, PTT provides information to and builds the understanding of the affected people in order to gain their acceptance. Expenses are provided to compensate for the dismantling of homes and any areas needed for making a living as well as for the restoration of livelihood areas and rehabilitation.
PTT defines appropriate monitoring processes to ensure that preventive mitigation and monitoring measures for social, environmental and health impacts are thoroughly implemented in all projects, as prescribed in the EIA report. Performance is communicated to relevant organizations and stakeholders through engagement activities such as focus group meetings, individual meetings, public hearings in villages, and information disclosure via government agencies’ websites such as those of the Center of Public Service and the ONEP.
Stakeholder engagement is a process which provides PTT with information that facilitates understanding of opinions, needs and concerns with regard to impacts on or modification to the project area as a result of project development. Stakeholder engagement illustrates the collective rights of communities in the project area, and builds a relationship with them collectively as well as with individual members by engaging with the communities in all kinds of activities.
PTT collects each community’s primary information, suggestions and concerns for due consideration in the preparation of appropriate mitigation measures for environmental, social and health impacts, which are then communicated to stakeholders.
Community Engagement and Development Standards
PTT established the Community Development and Community Relations Guidebook (CD-CR) for planning and implementing community engagement to ensure that community relations management with stakeholders follows the same direction and standard for all departments in all business units during the project development period. The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Department is responsible for implementing and collecting information from stakeholder engagement activities and for maintaining communication between functions.
PTT analyzes the important issues of each community by adopting stakeholder mapping to identify target groups and stakeholders. Consequently, stakeholder prioritization is analyzed according to the level of their needs and influence on PTT business operations in order to form a community database which helps PTT to respond appropriately to each stakeholder group.
PTT defines the Community Engagement Score (CES) as an indicator for all major capital projects. The indicator reflects the effectiveness of the stakeholder engagement process. Performance indicators vary depending on the significant factors of each project. Another important indicator is a survey of stakeholder opinions in communities surrounding the operational area. The survey’s results, suggestions and identified expectations are taken into account when developing operational strategies in order to create long-term benefits.
For community relations, PTT defines the Community Satisfaction Index as a performance indicator. The Community Satisfaction Index consists of an assessment of the development of economic and living standards, safety and environmental operation performance, community relations and communication of the organization’s activities.
Community Grievance Mechanism
PTT has defined the approaches and communication channels for gathering opinions and grievances of stakeholders and communities.
PTT systematically and efficiently responds to complaints at all stages of the project lifecycle before, during and after project development.
For major capital projects, the channels for addressing grievances are through the tripartite committee, comprised of PTT, representatives of relevant stakeholders, and government agencies.