Bangchak joins MSDHS, Micro OR, DTAC To launch “Krating”, Thailand’s First Digital Fuel Dispenser Boosting quality of life in rural communities

Bangchak partners public and private sectors to sign two memoranda of understanding, consisting of the memorandum for the “Promotion of Welfare Benefits for Social Development and Human Security Volunteers (SDHSV) Project” and the memorandum for the “Development of Digital Fuel Dispensers Project” which are part of the operations of the digital fuel dispenser under the name “Krating”

The Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony for the “Promotion of Welfare Benefits for Social Development and Human Security Volunteers (SDHSV) between Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited and Micro Oil Retail Company Limited, presided and witnessed by Patcharee Arayakul, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), was signed by Anukul Peedkaew, Director General of the Department of Social Development and Welfare (DSDW), as part of the “Development of Digital Fuel Dispensers Project” which aims to strengthen welfare benefits for SDHSV through the installation of “Krating” digital fuel dispensers in communities, whereby the DSDW will invite SDHSV to join the campaign, Bangchak will invest in Krating dispensers, and Micro OR will proceed to install and manage Krating dispensers.

Patcharee Arayakul, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) stated that Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) through the Department of Social Development and Welfare (DSDW) has a policy to promote welfare benefits for SDHSV by participating in the “Community Fuel Dispenser Innovation for the Sustainability Project” with Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited and Micro Oil Retail Company Limited, which will be implemented with Social Development and Human Security offices in five target provinces, namely Phitsanulok, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Samut Sakhon, and Suphan Buri, to encourage interested SDHSV to participate in the campaign, procure suitable locations for the installation of 1,000 digital fuel dispensers across the country within 2022, introducing innovation to communities, far from service stations, allowing communities to access quality environmentally-friendly fuels, as well as other technologies such as refilling prepaid mobile accounts, utility payments etc., whereby participating SDHSV will receive a share of revenue and benefits by refilling at digital fuel dispensers as detailed in the memorandum. Moreover, the initiative will create community circular economy able to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9: Building resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

Patcharee further stated that this memorandum strengthens welfare benefits for SDHSV with outstanding performance from their dedication, exemplary behavior, and sacrifice for society, and jointly creating community circular economy. The MSDHS would like to thank Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited and Micro Oil Retail Company Limited for their joint effort to strengthen SDHSV welfare benefits, which will boost the creation of community circular economy in far-off communities as is the intention of all three present parties.

Chaiwat Kovavisarach, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, stated, as the Leader of Energy Transition committed to developing Green Innovation for society and the environment, that Bangchak is delighted that the “Krating” Digital Fuel Dispenser will play an important role in enhancing national energy security, which is fundamentally critical for local economic growth, as well as be another source of income for SDHSV in the form of welfare benefits utilizing digital technological advancements and public and private sector collaboration.

“Krating” is the result of suggestions from employees participating organization creative projects to initiate innovation that can be developed into businesses. The other memorandum signed today is the “Development of Digital Fuel Dispensers” between Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, Micro Oil Retail Company Limited, and dtac TriNet Company Limited, where Bangchak will collaborate with Micro OR and DTAC in installing and operating fuel dispensers, and create communication channels for Krating fuel dispensers in various areas across the country, making Krating a platform providing quality fuels for small communities, expanding opportunities to access quality standard fuels, and access to other services in addition to fuel in the future, lifting the quality of life for local communities in other areas.

Sakol Sachdev, Chief Executive Officer, Micro Oil Retail (Micro OR) stated that the company is delighted to join Bangchak and Total Access Communication to develop the innovative smart dispenser and bring innovation to communities, giving access to essential services, albeit quality standard fuels, mobile and utility payments, and other services 24H. The company would like to thank the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security for seeing the value of this project by installing Krating fuel dispensers and allocating revenue shares to Social Development and Human Security Volunteers (SDHSV) to recognize and encourage their sacrifices for society. Micro OR is dedicated to developing innovation for the benefit of society, and promote Micro Startups at the community level for the strength of local communities and the creation of community circular economies.

Sadat Ibne Zaman, Chief Business Officer, Total Access Communication Public Company Limited (DTAC) stated that Dtac is delighted to collaborate with Bangchak and Micro OR to bring innovation to communities through Krating dispensers, the first Thai smart fuel dispenser using IoT Sim Card technology from dtac business, which can check the fuel volume, amount of money refilled, as well as frequency of usage, utilizing dtac business expertise using data simcard to control and evaluate data throughout 24H. If the dispenser is experiencing errors or detects unusual behaviors, the system will alert control units to immediately investigate, as well as able to extract data for analytical study to develop the digital fuel dispenser to incorporate other business models, and increase process efficiencies.

This collaboration also addresses joint business expansion strategies, as well as study the feasibility of ventures into other businesses in the future such as franchises, sales representatives, or othe businesses with opportunities for future growth. Initially, Krating dispensers utilizing IoT simcard from dtac business will give rural communities the convenience of access to local fuel dispensers without the need for long commutes on highways for motorbikes, helping to increase safety and reduce road accidents as well.

“Bangchak is most delighted to see suggestions from its employees become a new business model with partners from many sectors, jointly using technology for the benefits of local communities, create incomes, and opportunities to access quality standard fuels, in line with the corporate mission of “bringing disruptive and inclusive Greenovation to delight our customers, being a trusted partner and value creator for all stakeholders, and promoting sustainable development of society” Chaiwat concluded.