Not content just to spearhead investments across Southeast Asia, the Siam Cement Group (SCG) has also become a pioneer in corporate social responsibility (CSR) ahead of the Asean Economic Community integration in 2015.
Mr Kan awards a scholarship to a grateful Indonesian student.
Under a regional human development programme called SCG Sharing the Dream, Thailand's top industrial group supports education in Asean countries. First launched in Thailand, the programme also grants scholarships to 5,000 students annually in Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines, Cambodia and Laos.
This year, the programme expanded to Indonesia with 200 more scholarships.
Kan Trakulhoon, SCG's president and chief executive, said the goal is greater engagement with local communities and networks in preparation for the AEC.
"At SCG, we believe a foundation in education is the key to increasing growth and development, especially for the upcoming Asean integration. With SCG Sharing the Dream, we want to ensure the next generation of leaders is well-prepared to meet the future challenges of Asean and the world," he said at the Jakarta launch last week.
The scheme is also expected to smooth the group's business expansion in Asean.
"We plan to make SCG an organisation that people in Vietnam and Indonesia are proud of and want to work for," said Mr Kan, adding that the group employs 10,000 staff abroad.
Indonesia holds the majority of SCG's investments in Asean outside of Thailand, housing 55% of its total assets in the region.
Sharing the Dream granted 7,000-baht scholarships to 200 high-school students for tuition, scholastic necessities and an educational consultation workshop.
Mr Kan said while other Thai firms are not active in introducing CSR programmes in the foreign countries where they operate, SCG believes it should play a significant role in taking care of the environment and society, which results in better living quality via higher education.
Sharing the Dream supports that vision by inspiring children to persevere in their education, he said.
"For societies and countries to achieve sustainable growth, we must make people a priority. A concerted effort should be placed to develop their talents and nurture the right values," said Mr Kan.
Bayu Bahrudin from SMAN 1 Karawang School said SCG aid enabled him to choose a better school.
"At first, my mother asked me to go to school near my house, but my teacher told us I should look for a better school because I have the potential, even though it is two hours away," he said.
"With this scholarship, my mother and I don't have to worry."
Nur Hasanah Dewi from SMAN Tangerang Selatan said now she can pursue her dream of becoming a fashion designer after receiving help from SCG.
"My father once told me anyone can become a designer, even those from underprivileged backgrounds," she said.
"I'm so thankful for this scholarship, because I can help my parents pay my school fees."
