Hemaraj announces major sponsorship deal with Thai League champion Chonburi Football Club and land donation to school in Rayong

Bangkok (23 July 2008) – Hemaraj Land And Development Plc., Thailand’s leading developer of industrial estates, utilities and property, announced two major initiatives in sport and education with a three-year sponsorship deal worth 18 million baht to support Chonburi Football Club, and a donation of 1.5 rai of land worth 1 milion baht together with 10 scholarships to Sugar Mill School in Rayong. The two projects represent Hemaraj’s active involvement and continuing commitment to education and youth-oriented programmes.

Mr. Sawasdi Horrungruang, chairman of Advisors to the Board of Directors of Hemaraj Land And Development Plc, said that, “Hemaraj recognizes the importance of sport in promoting good health and positive attitude for players and spectators alike; sport encourages fair play and mutual respect. Obviously, football is a passion and Chonburi FC is a clear favourite among locals in the Eastern Seaboard area. We are very pleased to announce this special partnership today. We believe the sponsorship deal will not only strengthen Chonburi FC but also promote the growth of professional league football in Thailand”.

Chonburi FC is one of the country’s most successful football teams. It currently holds Thailand’s top professional league title, the 2007 Premier League Championship. The club was promoted to the Thailand Premier League in 2006 after winning the Thailand Provincial League. Within two seasons, Chonburi FC scored its greatest triumph yet with a victory over the then reigning champion Krungthai Bank FC in the Thai professional league championship. Admiringly called “the Sharks”, many of its top players are talented local youngsters who also play in high school and university teams.

Mr. Wittaya Khunpluem, President of Chonburi Football Club said “The generous support by Hemaraj will go towards preparing the club for the two major tournaments, namely, the Thailand Premier League Championship and the AFC Champions League. We want to repeat the success of the last season and represent Thailand again in one of the most prestigious tournaments where top Asian clubs are competing for the international accolades. Chonburi FC made a buzz last year and we managed to establish Thailand firmly on the international football arena. Now, part of the sponsorship deal will be spent on players’ salaries and bonuses, accommodation and per diem on away matches, as well as the maintenance of stadiums and other training facilities. Most importantly, the financial support from Hemaraj will enable us to scout for foreign talents from Brazil, Argentina, Ivory Coast and Cameroon as well as sign top Thai footballers to join Thailand’s profession league”.

“Thanks to Hemaraj’s sponsorship, our club’s position is going to be strengthened significantly. The cooperation between Hemaraj and Chonburi FC, will contribute to the development of Chonburi FC as the country’s top professional team with winning performances on the field and business successes off it. We will join hands to propel football in Thailand into the international arena,” added Mr. Sontaya.

According to the agreement, Hemaraj will provide funding to the tune of 6 million baht a year for three years to Chonburi FC. As part of the deal, Hemaraj’s brand will be displayed on Chonburi FC’s shirts and on billboards around the stadium and in Chonburi Province. Its logos will be shown on the Sport Channel (NBT19) during live televised matches.

Hemaraj for Education

Hemaraj also announced that it is donating 1.5 rai of land worth 1 million baht in Pluak Daeng District to Sugar Mill School in Rayong to accommodate the future expansion of the school. The company will also give 10 scholarships totaling 50,000 baht (5,000 baht each) to needy students with excellent academic records.

According to Mr. Meechai Wongpan, director of Sugar Mill School, “The school was founded in 1962, and has since served as the local centre of learning, teaching about 250 students in primary and secondary education during the current academic year. As the community around the school continues to expand, it is clear that the current facilities which consist of three classroom buildings and two multi-purpose buildings will not be able to cope with the increasing number of students. Acquiring additional land means that we can finally embark on an expansion plan. The scholarships will also ensure that some of our best students will have the means to further their education. On behalf of the teachers and students, I’d like to thank Hemaraj for these generous contributions. We are most appreciative of Hemaraj’s generosity”.

“This is not the first time Sugar Mill School has received assistance from Hemaraj. At the start of every new academic year, Hemaraj executives regularly give away educational materials to our pupils to lighten the financial burdens of parents. Other kinds of assistance include funding for the renovation of the roof of the school’s main building and the pupils’ toilets last year. These facilities are in a much better and more hygienic condition than was previously the case. Hemaraj also donated computer equipment, educational software, books and textbooks to the school. Moreover, it allowed school students to use the company’s land for vegetable beds and fish ponds as part of their farming class,” added Mr. Meechai.

According to Mr. Sawasdi, education is at the heart of Hemaraj’s CSR strategy which is directed at community development and social care. Many initiatives have been launched in the past years in partnership with our customers and business partners, for example, the Annual School Contributions which have benefited over 10,000 students in 40 schools around the Eastern Seaboard area, the ‘Adopt-a-School’ programme and scholarships for university and college students.

Under the ‘Adopt-a-School’ program, donations made by Hemaraj are matched by a grant from the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (AMCHAM) to provide capital for school improvements and educational materials. Since the start of the program in 2005, more than 30 schools in Chonburi and Rayong have benefited from such grants and donations.

Moreover, Hemaraj has provided fully-paid four-year scholarships and expense stipends to local secondary school graduates, giving them the opportunity to fully realize their academic potential and study for an advanced degree at universities and vocational colleges. This scholarship program is currently in its sixth year. For 2008, the company plans to award five additional scholarships with full-board including accommodation and allowances, worth a total of 2 million baht, to five successful students.

Mr. Sawasdi emphasized that, “As a caring member of the society, Hemaraj has taken our commitment to the community and the society seriously throughout the past 20 years. We are fully committed to run our business with utmost responsibility and engage in activities and initiatives that benefit the society and our nation”.