GULF Empowers 18 Remote Communities Nationwide with Clean Solar Energy to Transform Lives Heading into Year Three of the "Green Energy Green Network for THAIs" Initiative, GULF Kicks Off the Latest Phase in Mae Hong Son Province to Bridge the Energy and Digital Divide

Gulf Development Public Company Limited, or GULF, is actively translating its core business expertise into lasting social impact. Driven by a mission to create shared value, GULF has supported and installed solar photovoltaic systems in eighteen off-grid, remote communities across Thailand. To date, these installations generate a combined capacity of 102.9 kilowatts, bringing light and opportunity where they are needed most. This nationwide impact is achieved through three key initiatives, beginning with GULF Sparks, Life Starts, a dedicated program bringing electricity to some of Thailand’s most remote areas. Additionally, GULF has partnered with Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited, or AIS, on the Green Energy Green Network for THAIs initiative, which integrates clean energy with digital connectivity to reduce inequality, support local education, improve public healthcare, and foster sustainable livelihoods. Finally, GULF continues to support a solar-powered water pump project in Ban Khok Lam and Ban Saeng Aram in Udon Thani province, enhancing the quality of life through sustainable water management and safe agriculture.

Ms. Theerathiphisa Tawichpasoot, Chief Operating Officer, Gulf Development Public Company Limited, shared that GULF strives to build shared value for all stakeholders by using its business strengths to uplift communities, society, and the environment. Through the GULF Sparks, Life Starts project, GULF has spent over three years taking its clean energy expertise directly to off-grid areas, ranging from high-altitude mountainous villages to remote islands and border territories. By joining forces with AIS for the Green Energy Green Network for THAIs project, GULF has successfully scaled its efforts to deliver solar power to energize digital networks, giving remote communities access to both clean energy and the digital world. Over the past two years, this collaboration has touched eleven communities, providing essential infrastructure that unlocks educational opportunities, enhances local healthcare, and opens doors to new careers, leading to sustainable income and a better quality of life.

In 2026, GULF is launching the third consecutive year of the Green Energy Green Network for THAIs initiative, with the first destination of this phase being the Ban Mae Phae Yai Community Health Center in Sob Moei district, Mae Hong Son province. This vital facility previously struggled with a severe lack of electricity, which hindered basic medical services for the local villagers. GULF has stepped in to transform this community hub by providing a reliable solar power installation to ensure a continuous power supply for medical services. Alongside this, GULF has donated a medical-grade refrigerator for temperature-sensitive vaccines and medicines, as well as a tabletop pulse oximeter.

To foster community and cultural preservation, the solar power grid installed by GULF has also been extended to the village church, which serves as the community's central gathering place. Reliable electricity will transform the church into a cultural learning center where local youth can learn ethnic traditions such as blacksmithing, weaving, and basketry, thereby fostering local entrepreneurship. Furthermore, GULF has supplied leaf blowers to create firebreaks to prevent forest fires, and donated a commercial freezer to the Ban Mae Phae Yai School to preserve ingredients for school lunches.

Mr. Thanong Ngokngam, Director of the Ban Umloh Health Promoting Hospital and supervisor of the Ban Mae Phae Yai Community Health Center, explained that the center is responsible for the healthcare, disease prevention, and basic medical treatment of approximately 500 residents across 126 households, operated by a single trained nursing assistant. Previously, the center had to share the village’s limited solar power, which was highly insufficient, meaning they could not run essential medical equipment properly. In emergencies, patients had to travel to the Ban Umloh Health Promoting Hospital located over eight kilometers away. During the rainy season, the steep mountain roads become treacherous, forcing residents to take a safer detour of over 22 kilometers.

Mr. Thanong expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the community, noting that GULF's installation of the solar PV system, along with the medical refrigerator and pulse oximeter, has revolutionized how they serve the village. This support significantly reduces the travel burden and costs for villagers, especially when transport is dangerous, and empowers the medical staff to work safely and efficiently, ultimately leading to a much better quality of life.

Ms. Theerathiphisa concluded that looking at the overall achievements, GULF has successfully brought clean, reliable energy to over 10,000 people in off-grid areas through its three projects. The GULF Sparks, Life Starts program has electrified five areas, producing 38.5 kilowatts and reaching over 2,000 residents. The Green Energy Green Network for THAIs initiative has energized twelve locations, generating 55.12 kilowatts and benefiting over 8,000 people. Meanwhile, the sustainable water management project in Udon Thani produces 9.28 kilowatts to power agricultural pumps for more than twenty households.

“GULF remains committed to leveraging its energy expertise to uplift Thai society. By bridging the infrastructure gap and ensuring remote communities have access to clean, reliable electricity, GULF aims to reduce inequalities, enhance quality of life, and foster sustainable, shared growth for the future.”