"This is the company's commitment to be part of teh community's sustainable development," said chief executive Surong Bulakul. "We've been here for 50 years, contributing profits to stakeholders and benefits to our employees as well as to the country. So, why can't we contribute to the communities surrounding our refinery?"
 Surong said Thai Oil's first learning centre aimed to serve the 22 communities surrounding its refineries. The company spent Bt70 million in 2008 to establish the centre, comprising a dental clinic, a library, an auditorium and a Buddhism hall, on 6 rai of land.
 In planning the centre, Thai Oil considered the fact that it had been successfully providing a mobile dental clinic for local residents for more than 20 years, so it decided to establish a permanent clinic. The centre has become popular among local villagers. Children enjoy the lively library, provided by the company in cooperation with Thailand Knowledge Park. Normally, libraries are quiet places where talking is discouraged, but here it is a rowdy haven for kids. TK Park has provided many useful books, learning media and devices and the library is open every day from 7am to 8pm.
 Village committees convene at the learning centre's auditorium; housewives enjoy aerobic exercises in front of the building; and some villagers visit the Buddhism hall.
 The dental clinic has become a key activity for the first centre. The Aowudom Hospital collaborates with Thai Oil to provide five dentists for the clinic, which mainly serves children. The centre coordinates with schools win 22 communities to send students who have dental problems. While waiting for the dentists, the children spend their time in the library. The clinic is available for adults on Saturday morning only, and all dental services are free.
 Surong said Thai Oil would allocate Bt30 million every year for learning-centre operaions. It plans to set up similar learning centres in other locations to reach out to local residents.
 The company is also considering new learning services such as career-training courses and preventive medicine, particularly for older people, in the face of the increasing incidence of heart attack, high blood pressure and diabetes.
 "Thailand Oil believes that the villagers are like a buffer for the refineries. We have a long-time good relationship with them. During the recent political protest, a group of demonstrators gathered in front of the company and threatened to fire the refineries. The villagers negotiated with the protesters for us and told them to go away. Finally, nothing bad happened to our refineries," Suraong said.

Reporting from Sri Racha by Nalin Viboonchart, The Nation