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Strengthening the knowledge for sustainable business

Thailand Sustainability Academy, under Thailand Supply Chain Network or "TSCN"; the center of sustainable development training for business, is scheduled to organize a training course on the topic "The Power of One: Taking Action to reduce GHG Emissions" Batch 2 for Greenhouse Gas accounting Scope 1 and Scope 2 on Thursday, June 22, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at 205, 2nd floor, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Ratchadaphisek Road, Khlong Toei, Bangkok. The chance to meet business and sustainability speakers from leading organizations from CPF, BJC, Thai Beverage Can, and leading consultant on sustainable business development, ERM along with a GHG accounting calculation workshop on Scope 1 and Scope 2.

Price 8,000 Baht/person

For further inquiries please contact
Khun Rattakarn (Jan)
Tel. 099-441-5439
Line_Official: @tsa_official
.
กลับมาแล้วกับหลักสูตร “The Power of One: Taking action to reduce GHG Emissions”
เรากลับมาเพื่อเสริมความแข็งแกร่งสู่ธุรกิจยั่งยืน

Thailand Sustainability Academy ภายใต้เครือข่ายธุรกิจห่วงโซ่อุปทานแห่งประเทศไทย (Thailand Supply Chain Network) หรือ “TSCN” จัดอบรมด้านการพัฒนาอย่างยั่งยืนให้กับองค์กรธุรกิจ ซึ่งกำหนดจัดอบรมหัวข้อ “The Power of One: Taking action to reduce GHG Emissions” รุ่นที่ 2 เพื่อการจัดทำบัญชีก๊าซเรือนกระจก Scope 1 และ Scope 2 ในวันพฤหัสบดีที่ 22 มิถุนายน 2566 เวลา 9.00 น.-17.00 น.ที่ห้องประชุม 205 ชั้น 2 ศูนย์การประชุมแห่งชาติสิริกิต์ ถนนรัชดาภิเษก คลองเตย กรุงเทพมหานคร

พบกับวิทยากรด้านธุรกิจและความยั่งยืนจากองค์กรชั้นนำจาก CPF BJC Thai Beverage Can และที่ปรึกษาชั้นนำด้านการพัฒนาธุรกิจยั่งยืนอย่าง ERM พร้อมเวิคชอร์ปการคำนวณการจัดทำบัญชีก๊าซเรือนกระจก Scope 1 และ Scope 2

ค่าใช้จ่ายการอบรม 8,000 บาท/ท่าน

สอบถามรายละเอียดเพิ่มเติม
คุณรัฐกานต์
โทร. 099-441-5439
Line_Official: @tsa_official

Welcome to the enchanting realm of southwest Asia, a region that will captivate your senses and leave you spellbound. Brace yourself for an extraordinary journey that combines thrills, cultural immersion, and unforgettable budget-friendly experience with the locals, because this is Cambodia. Usually known as the country of Angkor Wat, Cambodia is a land rich in history and beckons travelers with its fascinating blend of ancient wonders and vibrant tradition. If you’re looking forward to visiting this country during the summer, here is the top destination among 6 provinces that you can consider beside Angkor wat. At Sihanoukville province, Rong island is known for its pristine white sandy beach and crystal-clear turquoise waters. You will also witness the plankton that illuminates the waters at night. When disturbed, these tiny organisms emit a stunning blue glow, creating a magical and surreal atmosphere in the water. There are also many other activities that you can enjoy there such as scuba diving, kayaking, fishing, jet skiing and many others. Phnom Sampeau: at the heart of Battambong province, The complex of temples on a mountaintop offers incredible panoramic views of the surroundings; it is known as the home of the Killing Caves, a grim reminder of the Khmer Rouge era. Phnom Sampeau is also home to millions of bats that come out at every 6:00 p.m. in order to hunt for food, and it usually takes around an hour for all of them to come out of the cave. Kampot province: Bokor mountain and its surrounding area attract tourists for its natural beauty, cooler climate, and historical attractions. Visitors can explore the abandoned buildings of the old hill station, such as the Bokor Palace Hotel and the Catholic Church. The panoramic views from the mountain's summit are also a popular draw. Additionally, Bokor National Park offers opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, bird-watching, and wildlife spotting. Ratanakiri province: Yeak Laom Volcanic Lake, The lake is believed to be around 4,000 years old and is surrounded by dense forests. Its crystal-clear waters and tranquil ambiance make it an ideal spot for, picnicking, and hiking. Ratanakiri is also home to several indigenous ethnic minority groups. These groups have preserved their distinct traditions, languages, and ways of life, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in their rich cultural heritage. Preah Vihear province: Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perched atop a cliff in the Dangrek Mountains, the temple offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. The temple is an architectural marvel and is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Its remote location and stunning setting make it a truly unique and awe-inspiring destination. Koh Sdach: Located in Koh Kong province, Koh Sdach is a remote island paradise secluded and lesser-known island, offering a tranquil and peaceful environment for visitors. The island is home to a small fishing village where visitors can witness the traditional way of life of the local residents. Exploring the village provides insights into the local fishing industry and a chance to interact with the friendly locals.

The impacts of climate change are something we global citizens all experience whether we like it or not. It is being taught in school and at home that we should mind our action to help minimize the cruel effects of climate change which humans are hugely to blame for. We are getting more and more alarmed as we know more about the foreseeable horrifying consequences of our actions if we do not change now. Here are 7 facts about the climate emergency which could hopefully make us more determined to make the world a better place soon. First, for the last 170 years, humans have added 2.4 trillion tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Up to half of the amount was added in the past 35–50 years. The industrial revolution has a lot of benefits for humans, whether they be increased opportunities and fascinating innovations, but it has also increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, like burning fossil fuels, which include coal and oil. Humans basically have to do better to replace the destruction humans caused to our atmosphere. Second, In the last decade, there have been five warmest years on record. It is very urgent that we help our planet quickly before climate change’s impacts are irreversible. Third, In the US, transportation and housing make up 60% of the carbon footprint. For transportation, it requires a massive amount of fuel. It goes the same way for our homes. To heat, cool, or power our homes, we require a considerable amount of fuel. There are ways to easily reduce the fuel used, like switching to public transport instead or switching to electric-powered cars. An easier change would be to be more mindful when turning on your air conditioning; maybe all family members could spend more family time together in the living room, thus having to turn on just one air conditioner instead of wasting too much energy turning on AC in different house members’ rooms. Fourth, Scientists have predicted that if the increase in greenhouse gas emissions keeps on continuing, the temperature will rise to as high as 10 degrees Fahrenheit by the year 2100. We should really help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, starting with small and persistent gestures we can make on a daily basis. Fifth, when we think of the culprits for greenhouse gas emissions, the one that comes to mind is the burning of fossil fuels: oil and natural gas. There are, in fact, many sources with which greenhouse gas emissions are associated. Thus, all sectors have to come together to help make an effort to reduce their negative impacts on the climate. Sixth, the big countries are mostly accountable for the emissions. The United States, the European Union (EU), China, Russia, Japan, India, and Canada are the biggest emitters, accounting for more than 70 percent of energy-related CO2 emissions in 2004. Seventh, 2018 had the highest concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2), which was 408 parts per million. It was the highest in 3 million years. Reference: https://sustainability.georgetown.edu/50-facts-for-50-years/

Mangroves are a group of trees and shrubs that live in the coastal intertidal zone.Mangroves provide essential habitat for thousands of species. One of the biggest misunderstandings of mangroves is that they are perceived as dirty while in fact they are amazingly beneficial to the nature and animals. Mangroves are important to our healthy ecosystem. Communities along the coast depend on mangroves for coastal protection, food, and income. The reason we have to care for them is because they are in great danger. Here are 7 facts about these extraordinarily rare and gorgeous trees, as well as why we must protect and maintain them. Mangroves can extract up to 5 times more carbon than forests on land. Restoring and protecting mangroves can help combat climate change through carbon sequestration. Mangroves are crucial for the survival of more than 1,500 species. Restoring and protecting mangroves help brings back habitats for our fellow animal friends. The trunks of mangroves can absorb the impacts of waves which means they are incredible front line of defense that helps protect higher ground. Mangroves Can Help Mitigate Coral Bleaching. Healthy mangrove forests have the capability of providing shelter for coral species at risk from coral bleaching. Mangroves cannot be replanted once deforested. Deforestation of mangroves would lead to land erosion and degradation, and in its absence, coastlines would be reshaped by incoming tides and currents. Mangroves are Found in Salty Water. Most of these trees live and thrive on muddy soil and can filter out as much as 90% of all the salt in seawater when it enters their roots. Indonesia Boasts the Largest Ecosystem of Mangroves in the World, mangrove trees in Indonesia cover more than 23,000 square km and are estimated to  account for 23% of the world’s total . Reference: https://www.unesco.org/en/days/mangrove-ecosystem-conservation https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/inside-look-beauty-and-benefits-mangroves https://www.undp.org/suriname/news/importance-sustainable-management-and-conservation-unique-and-special-mangrove-ecosystems https://earth.org/incredible-facts-about-mangroves/

ASEAN Management Development (AMD) is a talent development program organized jointly between C asean and ThaiBev Group. The program is preparing executives in the ThaiBev group to be able to grow at the ASEAN level by developing and opening the business perspectives of the ThaiBev Group. The AMD Batch 3 was held on March 20–24, 2023, in Bangkok, with a field trip to Ayutthaya on March 25, 2023, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on March 27–30, 2023, in collaboration with Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation (SABECO). The program was attended by 29 members of ThaiBev Group’s international talent pool who are ready to perform and have the potential to take regional roles with mobility to work across the region. The expected outcome is an innovative business project on "ThaiBev Group's Real-World Issue" that will become the main strategy in driving ThaiBev Group to be a stable and sustainable ASEAN leader. After the insightful training course, first-round presentations, and final-round presentations to Chiefs, Project Sponsors, and Project Coaches, the winner is the "Vanguard" team, which proposed the Synergy between ThaiBev and SABECO. The team members are from ThaiBev, Oishi, F&N, SEBECO, and Times Publishing Group. #ThaibevAMD #AMD #ASEANManagementDevelopment #Casean #ThaiBev

C asean and Thai Beverage Public Company Limited jointly organized “ASEAN Management Development (AMD) Program 2023. ASEAN Management Development (AMD) 2023 is a Thai Beverage Group’s talent development program for our international talent pool who are ready to perform and have potential to take regional roles with mobility to work across the region while instill the pride of being a part of Thai Beverage Group. AMD Batch 3 was held on March 20-24, 2023, in Bangkok with a field trip to Ayutthaya on March 25, 2023, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, during March 27-30, 2023, in collaboration with Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation (SABECO) The learning pathway was developed in 3 modules: 1) ThaiBev Group Way of Works, 2) Business Management & ASEAN Industry Knowledge, and 3) Leadership Mindset in ASEAN Context. Through extensive courses and exposures with diverse action-based learning approaches including exercises, experience sharing, discussions, lectures and field trips, participants were equipped with knowledge, general management skills in ASEAN context, strategic thinking with adequate overall business acumen, strong network and collaboration across Thai Beverage Group. After the program, participants are expected to develop a group project “ThaiBev Group Real World Issue” assigned by chiefs as project sponsors and will be mentored by executives coaches. The first-round presentation is scheduled on June 13, 2023 and final-round presentation on July 5, 2023, in Bangkok. Special thanks are expressed to our chiefs, executives and honorable speakers who shared their invaluable experiences and insights, and to all working teams who tirelessly contributed to the program. AMD 2023: Victor Club, FYI Bangkok AMD 2023: Field Trip in Ayutthaya 25 March 2023 AMD 2023: Field Trip in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 27-30 March 2023

Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) in ASEAN The daily statistics and updates on how we cope with this unprecedented pandemic. Daily Situation Report ASEAN Situation Report - 23 7 May 2020 The shock in the health aspects will probably be short-lived, however, it is the economic consequences that are bound to last longer, governments around the globe are devising a medium-long term fiscal and monetary strategy to keep their economy afloat. ASEAN Situation Report - 22 7 May 2020 Excepting for Singapore and Thailand, most developing countries in ASEAN are spending between 1 to 2percent of GDP to contain the outbreak and respond to the economic shock due to the spread of coronavirus. Although Thailand has spent around 8.9% of her GDP on the stimulus package, two-third of the budget is from borrowing. Policy Tracker, IMF ASEAN Situation Report - 21 5 May 2020 ASEAN could be expecting more FDI inflow after the COVID-19, as the Japanese government is looking to transfer to diversify her supply chains base from China to ASEAN. ASEAN Situation Report - 20 4 May 2020 Cross border limitation and lockdown expansion are continuing in the region, especially in Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines, where the reports of new cases are remaining high.
ASEAN Situation Report - 19 1 May 2020 On week 18 since the start of this COVID-19 pandemic, let's have a look of the recent development in ASEAN. ASEAN Situation Report - 18 30 April 2020 Vietnam has declared that the country has won the war with COVID-19 outbreak by mass-testing and mass quarantine strategy. ASEAN Situation Report - 17 29 April 2020 When Will COVID-19 End? That was the question everyone asked, but this group of scientist from SUTD Data-Driven Innovation Lab may have the answer. And it is May 30, 2020. ASEAN Situation Report - 16 28 April 2020 Even before the pandemic, the performance of the Thai economy was already slow and unstable. Around 52% of country GDP is in services, which includes tourism, banking and finance. However, the country has been suffering from dangerous levels of non-performing assets or around 30% of the total assets. (Wikipedia, 2020)
ASEAN Situation Report - 15 27 April 2020 In week 17, there are 10,937 new cases in the region; the significant new infection was mostly populated in Singapore with 6,701 new cases, followed by 2,359 and 1,207 in Indonesia and the Philippines. ASEAN Situation Report - 14 24 April 2020 ASEAN has come a long way from an agriculture economy to a combination with industry, manufacturing, and service one. Unfortunately, the economic shocks from the COVID-19 hit hard for businesses under those categories. ASEAN Situation Report - 13 23 April 2020 Evil hackers are taking advantage of people's fear of COVID-19. Cybercriminals are targeting everyone here are some of the schemes that all citizen of the world should be aware ASEAN Situation Report - 12 22 April 2020 Happy Earth Day! Let's celebrate the biggest drop of CO2 emission at home since the recession in 1975. But beware of the new spike, as Southeast Asia could get the second round hit of COVID-19. ASEAN Situation Report - 11 21 April 2020 Is ASEAN ready for the shift toward eCommerce? Expecting an increase of 16 – 70% in an online sale, but can ASEAN capture the exponential growth of eCommerce with our current digital infrastructure? ASEAN Situation Report - 10 20 April 2020 Several economies are already in a vulnerable state with sluggish growth and high debt levels before entering this crisis. ASEAN Situation Report - 9 17 April 2020 We shall expect the L- In 2020, as the growth in all major ASEAN economies would remain negative except for Vietnam. ASEAN Situation Report - 8 16 April 2020 What 0.6% | 60% | 12 | 13 | and 2022 means when it comes to COVID-19? ASEAN Situation Report - 7 15 April 2020 Lessons from Asia; western governments have started to respond to prevention measures, implemented in our region over the past three months. As they have proven to slow the impact of the disease ASEAN Situation Report - 6 14 April 2020 Indonesia has experienced the continuous surge of newly reported cases. Could the permission that allows ten million people to return home at the end of Ramadan in early April could accelerate the spread of this pandemic? For more daily statistics and update around ASEAN ASEAN Situation Report - 5 13 April 2020 Vietnam has done exceptionally well in coping with this pandemic. It is one of the three countries in the region with zero death report from COVID-19. Below timeline has identified some of the past key measures from January to March. ASEAN Situation Report - 4 10 April 2020 The only way to stay strong is to keep remaining home. Find out daily statistics and updates on how ASEAN is coping with this unprecedented pandemic, COVID-19. ASEAN Situation Report - 3 9 April 2020 ASEAN Situation Report - 2 8 April 2020 ASEAN Situation Report - 1 7 April 2020

The C asean Consonant on your demand; click on songs or articles about ASEAN music. Song: Loy Krathong (Thailand)
Composer: Eua Sunthornsanan and Kaew Atchariyakun
Arranger: Chaibhuk Bhutrachinda Song: Dayung Sampan (Singapore) Composer: Anonymous Conductor: Watchara Pluemyart Song: Tak Tong Tong (Indonesia) Composer: Anonymous Arrangers: Alicia Joyce De Silva, Mohd Yazid Zakaria & Dadang Supriatna Song: Nan Bone Thi Har Bwe (Myanmar) Composer: Anonymous Vocalist: War War San Song: Seang Khaen Lao (Lao PDR) Composer: Anonymous Arranger: Watchara Pluemyart Song: Song of the Confluence’s Spirits Composer & Conductor: Dr. CHONG Kee Yong Song: Garland of Love Conceptualizer, Composer & Arrangers: Anant Narkkong Lyrics: Sutthipun Nujjaya Song: Hola Hela (Brunei)
Composer: Anonymous Arranger: Dadang Supriatna, Alicia Joyce De Silva & Mohd Yazid Zakaria Song: Salidummay (Philippines)
Composer: Anonymous Arranger: Assoc. Prof. Dr. La Verne De La Pena Song: Funk Tong Tong (Indonesia) Composer: Western Sumatra Composer Arranger: WatcharaPluemyart Song: Sarika Kew (Cambodia) Composer: Anonymous Arranger: Watchara Pluemyart & Anant Narkkong Song: Man Taung Yeik Kho (Myanmar) Composer: Myoma Nyein Arranger: Ne Myo Aung

Content : Discuss ASEAN's diversity: nationalities, ethnicities, religions, cultures, traditions, languages, etc. Explain the importance of embracing ASEAN's diversity for ASEAN Propose innovative ideas for ASEAN to respect and appreciate diversity Eligibility : Contestants must be citizens of ASEAN Member States aged between 15-25 Language : English Application :
First Round Fill in application form and submit a 3-min speech video by 21 July 2023 at midnight (GMT+7) via the link: https://bit.ly/AYSCFirstRound In the submitted video, applicant must memorize the script, as reading notes is not allowed No animation or graphic presentation is allowed in the speech video Make sure to record the video in a quiet space to avoid and background noise. Application video with inaudible sound will not be asked to resubmit a new file, and his or her application will automatically be disqualified. Final Round Only shortlisted finalists are eligible for the Final Round Finalists must present a 5-min speech to the panel of judges on onsite at C asean Samyan Mitrtown, Bangkok, or online based on their location. Finalists can use parts of the original content, submitted in the First Round Prizes : Winner: Certificate and cash prize of USD 500 1st Runner-up: Certificate and cash prize of USD 300 2nd Runner-up: Certificate and cash prize of USD 200 Finalists: Certificate Key Dates : 21 July 2023: Submission of 3-min speech video 27 July 2023: Anouncement of finalists on C asean Facebook fanpage 4 August 2023: Final round onsite at C asean Samyan Mitrtown and live on C asean Facebook fanpage 8 August 2023: Showcase by winner in the celebration of the 56th ASEAN Day at C asean CW Tower Apply for the First Round now until 21 July 2023 >>> https://bit.ly/AYSCFirstRound Any inquiries please contact: info@c-asean.org

From the past to the present, the ASEAN region has been known as the most prolific in the world, consisting of rice, fish, vegetables, fruits, and spices. The food consumed in ASEAN varies not only by country, but by religious and ethnic tradition. This diversity makes ASEAN food fascinating. Even though you may notice some similarities in using ingredients with different names, each nation has its distinctive food menu. Most ASEAN food is spiced up and has a comprehensive taste of the cuisine. Even so, most of those ingredients are good for health. We have chosen some healthy national dishes for you to try. Every visitor to the country should seek them out. Here is a list of some of the healthiest National food in All ASEAN countries. Vietnam - Vietnamese Pho Pho is a Vietnamese soup be made up of rice noodles and broth with some herbs and spices and meat or chicken. The meat can be replaced by vegetables for a vegetarian option. Pho is one of the popular foods in Vietnam where it is served in every household, and restaurants general including street shops. This dish is a great source of energy, which is full of protein and low on fat, with the extra vegetables adding some essential nutrients. Thai - Tom Yum Kung Made with shrimp, coriander, lemongrass, ginger, and other herbs and spices used in Thai cooking, the soup was found to possess properties 100 times more effective than other antioxidants in inhibiting cancerous-tumor growth. Researchers at Thailand's Kasetsart University and Japan's Kyoto and Kinki Universities became interested in the soup's immune-boosting qualities after noticing that the incidence of digestive tract and other cancers was lower in Thailand than in other countries. Many common Thai spices have feel-great benefits. Ginger aids in digestion, turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, and lemongrass has long been used in Asian medicine to help treat colds and ease tummy troubles. Indonesia - Gada-Gado Gado-Gado is one of the well-known dishes from Indonesia. It is vegetable salad with peanut sauce. It is usually served with tomato wedges, bean sprouts, tofu, cabbage and boiled eggs. Gado- Gado is rich in essential nutrients like carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and fiber. The protein in Gado-Gado mainly comes from bean sprouts. This dish has important nutrients needed by the body to build up, repair, and replace the tissues in our bodies. The fat comes mostly from the peanut sauce. Lao PDR - Green Papaya Salad (Tam Mak Hoong) Green Papaya Salad is typically made with shreds of unripe papaya. It is of Lao origin, but served in different varieties around the region. Green Papaya Salad was a dish imported to Bangkok from Lao immigrants. It is similar to Thailand’s Som Tam dish, but does not contain peanuts and is usually made with fermented fish sauce. Other ingredients include palm sugar, lime, garlic, tomatoes, dried shrimp, chilis, and raw eggplant. All these ingredients are pounded together in a traditional mortar and pestle. Myanmar - Lahpet Thoke (Burmese Fermented Tea Leaf Salad) The people of Myanmar have found all manner of usages for this super food, both for snacks and meal times, but perhaps the most famous is the Lahpet Thoke, a tea leaf salad. In fact, the nation has long been known for its delicious and remarkably healthy salads. Lahpet Thoke is the name of the famous fermented tea leaf salad from Myanmar, a country that is really known for its very unique, healthy and fragrant salads. Lahpet is fermented or pickled tea leaf, and it has a very long history in Myanmar. Cambodia - Khmer Mango Salad Using the green unripe mango this is an explosion of flavor in the mouth! With sour and spicy flavors as well as sweet balanced beautifully, this is definitely a healthy addition and works well with a side of rice. Cambodian green mango salad made with fresh, raw green mangoes and a spicy, piquant salad dressing. This salad is perfect for a light lunch. It is a side dish of choice for various grilled meats in Cambodia. Malaysia - Nasi Kerabu This is the dish that gym-goers fantasize about. It comprises a healthy mixture of herbs and Ulam (green salad). As these vegetables are eaten raw and fresh, they are high in fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants. They are also served with fish, a good source of protein. The Kelantanese cuisine is prepared with herb-infused rice, boiled salted egg, fried fish or chicken, and assorted vegetables on the side. Philippines - Sinigang na Bangus In this Filipino fish recipe, Bangus (Milkfish) is stewed in a flavorful, slightly sour tamarind broth with lots of vegetables, an all-time favorite. Often associated with tamarind, sinigang is a sour and savory Filipino stew made with onions, tomatoes, eggplant, spinach, ginger, and fish sauce. It is loaded with veggies in various textures, like okra, radish, and kangkong. The unique mouthfeel makes eating it even more exciting. Singapore - Fish Head Curry Fish head curry is an iconic dish in Singapore: the head of a sea bream, served with vegetables in a spicy curry. It is a dish that represents the fusion of various cultures and a reflection of Singapore's multicultural identity. A huge fish head and vegetables cooked in a curry and served with rice or bread. Usually accompanied by a glass of 'calamansi' or local lime juice. Its origins are in South Indian, with Chinese and Malay influences. In some versions, tamarind juice is added to give a sweet-sour taste. Brunei - Ambuyat Ambuyat is the national dish of Brunei. It is a dish derived from the interior trunk of the sago palm. It is a starchy bland substance, similar to tapioca starch. Sago contains antioxidants and resistant starch and has been linked to many benefits, including improving risk factors for heart disease, and enhancing exercise performance. It is commonly eaten as a source of carbs with fish or vegetables.

Whether you roam around Bangkok, Manila, or Jakarta, even in rural areas in ASEAN countries, you might notice that there are a huge number of mom-and-pop stores. Even though they have different names (Shohuay in Thailand, Sari-sari stores in the Philippines, and Warung in Indonesia), they all have similar functions to facilitate final consumers for their needs for basic commodities and can also be a distribution channel for locally-made products. With the advent of modern retailers in ASEAN’s cities, mom-and-pop stores have lost their significance in consumers’ lives especially in an urban area. Consumers seem to neglect or even forget these stores, this is consistent with changing lifestyles and demands for convenience. However, the covid-19 crisis can be a turning point and an opportunity for these stores to revitalize and use their strengths to become a gamechanger to drive the local economy forward if they are well-equipped and fast enough to catch up with the new normal era. ASEAN’s mom-and-pop stores: Advantages and Strengths ASEAN’s mom-and-pop stores can be labeled as the identity of ASEAN since it is one of the necessary things in the lives of millions and disperse around the region. There are around 400,000 stores in Thailand, 1 million stores in the Philippines, and 3.5 million stores in Indonesia. They have many advantages that their rivals cannot compete with. Firstly, the business operation is highly flexible since they are mostly family businesses. They often sell in a small amount, provide some loans for the consumers or allow the customers to change the products which are suitable with ASEAN consumers’ lifestyle. Moreover, they know their customers pretty well thanks to the nature of ASEAN people who are collectivist and care about other people. The owners often befriend with their regular customers, as a result, informal but a long-term relationship is established. Another advantage that is worth mentioning is their locations since most of the stores are located in the center of the communities. Therefore, mom-and-pop stores are considered a cultural symbol that reflects ASEAN’s characteristics as a whole. Why can mom-and-pop stores save the economies? Covid-19 has made the region more economically vulnerable. The international economy sector such as the tourism and service sector has been restricted. The tool that can make the countries survive is the domestic sector. And this is where the mom-and-pop stores step up.After the crisis, many people were unemployed and had to go back to the provinces. They sometimes made the products on their own and sell them to survive this hard time. Selling via an online channel can be promising, but if they want to reach more customers, an offline channel may be a profitable channel for some products as well. However, to meet the huge modern trade standard can be tough for these small businesses. At this point, a more flexible policy from mom-and-pop stores can help them put their products on the shelves and generate income more easily. Take Thailand as an example, many mom-and-pop stores source the local products in the form of consignment and sell them to the customers. This can add variety to their products and create differentiation in the store. Also, they can help and build a relationship with local entrepreneurs.
Apart from this, some people from the tourism or service sector whose jobs were affected by the crisis chose to open stores to earn money. This can be their new investment and generate more jobs in the economy. As a result, it can be summarized that if the mom-and-pop stores are strengthened, the local economy and the community products’ value chain can move forward which results in more resilience and sustainability in the long run.

How can we help them? The biggest question here is how we can help the mom-and-pop stores regionwide to compete and help uplift the local economic sector. Before finding solutions, it is worth mentioning that mom-and-pop stores have to face a lot of challenges such as lack of good management and proper accounting practices, more intense competition from modern trade and online channels, increasing costs, and changing consumer behavior. These factors make it harder for mom-and-pop stores to drive the entire economy or even survive. There are many ways that mom-and-pop stores can be assisted. Each stakeholder’s participation is required to uplift their competitiveness. At the value-chain level, suppliers or big wholesalers can be mom-and-pop stores’ coaches providing them with know-how, expertise, beautification project, or marketing materials for these stores to attract more customers or enhance their efficiency in the stores. It is very reasonable for big wholesalers and suppliers to help these stores since they are their main customers. In the case of suppliers, the more traditional mom-and-pop stores there are, the more negotiating power they have with modern retailers. That is why some suppliers also become the mom-and-pop stores’ partner and grow together with them.
A part from that, technology providers and start-up companies can play a very important role to increase mom-and-pop stores' competitiveness and help them catch up with the 4.0 era. Since the cost of doing business is higher and customers become more demanding, many technology providers are here to fill up the gap of stores’ needs for the stores to enhance their efficiency by digitization. Indonesia is a good example of this since there are many start-ups that target mom-and-pop stores in the country such as Warung Pintar that helps the mom-and-pop stores with its state-of-the-art technology. With striking yellow prefabricated kiosks IoT devices, POS system, in-built Wi-Fi, and automatic stock replenishment systems, the stores can increase their productivity and income, bringing about the better livelihood of the stores’ families. From this case, it can be seen that the start-up community can provide new technology for these stores in order to enhance their operation and connect the stores to their prospective customers.
One of the most important stakeholders is government. The government can help mom-and-pop stores by providing knowledge through capacity building activity. The government can also organize activities to build a network between mom-and-pop stores and other stakeholders especially local entrepreneurs, technology providers, and financial institutions for them to strengthen their networks and exchange their knowledge or resources with one another. Moreover, it should enhance the start-up and business ecosystem to facilitate SMEs or start-ups to do business more easily. Furthermore, it can collaborate with educational institutions to extract some knowledge and conduct research to improve the competitiveness of the mom-and-pop stores. One interesting initiative by the government to help the mom-and-pop store is from Thailand. The Thai government initiated the welfare card scheme which provides the low-income people with a 200 – 300 Baht monthly allowance to purchase necessities products at Tong-fa (Blue flag stores) which mostly are small or medium mom-and-pop stores. Since there are more than 14 million cardholders nationwide, the sales of these stores have increased significantly. Even the recently launched half-half co-payment scheme also involved the mom-and-pop stores which can partly help them survive the crisis. In conclusion, developing mom-and-pop stores to be competitive and sustainable requires collaboration from many stakeholders. After Covid-19, the challenge is not only to make them survive but make them be a gamechanger of the economy, that is, become a distribution channel for local entrepreneurs, a source of consumer goods in the communities, and a driver of the overall economy. The answer is, we need digitization, network, and know-how from each stakeholder to make Shohuay, Warung, Sari-sari stores, or whatever it is called in ASEAN stronger, become a pillar of our local economy and identity of ASEAN forever. Sources : https://business.inquirer.net/265053/revenge-of-the-sari-sari-stores https://kr-asia.com/video-heres-how-indonesias-mom-and-pop-shops-are-going-digital http://thaigovscholars.org/ is.gd/LuZhFX https://www.hofstede-insights.com/product/compare-countries/ https://cloud.google.com/customers/warung-pintar https://www.compasslist.com/insights/warung-pintar-creating-a-little-place-of-happiness-with-smart-kiosks https://www.nationthailand.com/national/30325331 Credited Writer:
Nuttawat Unjitlerd (Richard Wen) is a trade officer in the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce working in SME empowerment and business promotion field. He has interests in small and local entrepreneurs, Chinese, Thai and ASEAN culture and languages. You can reach him at nuttawat.richard@gmail.com.

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