The resurgence of COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand since early April 2021 tends to worsen, with daily increase of infections and deaths. As a result, frontline medical workers have to work hard day and night while field hospitals are rapidly set up in many provinces to care for the infects. Concerned of the current situation, PepsiCo Thailand has teamed up with Suntory PepsiCo Beverages Thailand Co. Ltd. in standing together and delivering aid to medical workers in the fight against COVID-19 by donating 2,000 fingertip pulse oximeters, 600 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits, 201,900 bottles of Aquafina drinking water and 210 Lay’s potato chips cartons; approximately valued at 4 million Baht in total to 59 field hospitals located in 16 Provinces.
Mr. Parinya Kitjatanapan, Asia Beverages & GMD Business Unit, General Manager and Chief Commercial Officer, APAC Sector, PepsiCo Services Asia Limited manufacturer and distributor of “Lay’s” potato chips, said, “Amidst the efforts in coping with the pandemic outbreak, field hospitals are immediately established to care for patients that are likely on the rise. Since the safety of medical staff and the readiness of medical equipment are the priorities, PepsiCo Thailand and Suntory PepsiCo Thailand took part in supporting hospitals, field hospitals, doctors, healthcare workers, and related agencies by donating medical equipment, PPE, and companies’ food and beverage products as we wish to be a part of the solution to this pandemic crisis, so people can return to their normal lifestyle as early as possible.”
While Mr. Ashish Joshi, Chief Executive Officer at Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Company Limited, the manufacturer and distributor of beverages under Suntory and PepsiCo brands in Thailand, stressed that, “Suntory PepsiCo Thailand has been building our business growth alongside Thai people and at the same time contributing to the development of the Thai society. During the COVID-19 crisis, we have been launching assistance measures to aid those affected by the pandemic. This time, we have joined hands with PepsiCo Thailand in supporting medical workers and volunteers who are currently working in field hospitals. Our donation of a fingertip pulse oximeter is very important since it is a vital tool in following up the conditions of the admitted COVID-19 patients. The machine is used for their daily monitoring to check whether their oxygen saturation is stable or not. If not, the medical team is able to deliver them immediate assistance. We have also donated Aquafina drinking water to medical workers and patients at field hospitals. On behalf of Suntory PepsiCo Thailand, we are committed to being a part in supporting, and we greatly appreciate the sacrifice that our frontline heroes are making.”
Last year, PepsiCo Thailand, PepsiCo Foundation, and Suntory PepsiCo Thailand joined together in the nation’s navigation through the COVID-19 crisis by constantly providing support for medical workers, for instance, financial donation for procurement of medical equipment of the 4 main hospitals in Bangkok which are Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Siriraj Hospital, Rajavithi Hospital, and Ramathibodi Hospital. The team also donated full ventilators to Thammasat University Hospital and Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, provided PPE to medical staff, and bottled drinking water and snacks to hospitals nationwide. Furthermore, the efforts included communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak through the “Give Meals Give Hope” project, which delivered freshly cooked food and relief bags to those in need. Pepsi-Cola (Thai) Trading Company Limited and Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Company Limited are always ready to deliver assistance and stand beside the Thai people through the pandemic crisis. Let’s continue to support each other and together we will overcome this crisis!