Advanced Info Service (AIS) is forging digital green operations across its entire operations, while joining with other businesses and organisations to create a green partner network.
AIS chief executive Somchai Lertsutiwong said the company plans to address climate change through efficient management of its business operations and supply chain.
Mr Somchai said the potential of digital technology and collaboration from several sectors are the keys to driving the country towards a sustainable future.
He said AIS’s digital green initiative includes greener products and services, a greener supply chain and customers, a greener corporation and greener business growth.
GREEN NETWORK
The company upgraded equipment at its cellular network base stations nationwide and integrated them with clean energy, alongside conventional energy supplies.
For example, AIS recently installed solar energy systems at more than 13,000 cellular network base stations and buildings.
Mr Somchai said the move was crucial in remote areas, where 100% alternative energy is required to support communication services.
One of AIS’s green initiatives is called “Green Energy, Green Network for Thais”, delivering solar power-generated electricity to communities and installing solar-powered cellular base stations to create digital networks for communities.
AIS, Gulf Development, and the Highland Research and Development Institute (HRDI) teamed up for the project last year, seeking to improve the quality of life for Thais in highland areas.
Two pilot projects are running in the Ban Dok Mai Sod community and Moko Poke community in Tak province’s Tha Song Yang district.
Mr Somchai said the goal is to reduce inequality, improve quality of life and foster sustainable economic growth within these communities.
The trio continued their partnership with the commencement of a second year of the project in June 2025.
Another project took place in Ban Doi Wiang in Chiang Mai’s Chai Prakan district, where Gulf joined forces with AIS and satellite operator Thaicom to install solar panels at the Mae Fah Luang Community Learning Center.
The clean energy generated supports internet and satellite connectivity, enabling children and youth to access new knowledge and educational opportunities.
The AIS network also enhances digital access and communication for the entire community.
Furthermore, the project supported the construction of a solar-powered coffee processing facility and provided coffee milling equipment, allowing locals to add value to their produce and develop a community-owned coffee brand.
Mr Somchai said AIS leverages artificial intelligence to manage energy consumption at its base stations.
Regarding waste management, AIS focuses on reducing and recycling waste from its operations under its “Zero E-Waste to Landfill” goal — meaning no electronic waste ends up in landfills.
The company also encouraged the public to properly manage e-waste, he said.
HUB OF E-WASTE
Saichon Submakudom, head of corporate communication and public affairs at AIS, said sustainability and environmental stewardship are at the heart of its operations, particularly in the area of e-waste management.
“We are committed to becoming Thailand’s hub of e-waste,” Ms Saichon said.
AIS, together with more than 250 public and private sector partners, has been raising awareness about the impact of e-waste and providing convenient disposal channels that ensure proper recycling, she said.
Since 2020, AIS’s collaboration with Central Group on an e-waste project has expanded to include more than 42 e-waste drop-off points nationwide.
Every piece of e-waste deposited with AIS is handled through its partnership with Waste Management Siam (WMS), a member of Dowa Group.
According to AIS, the amount of e-waste increases every year globally. In 2024, 62 million tonnes of e-waste was generated and estimates suggest the quantity will increase to 74 million tonnes by 2030 and 110 tonnes by 2050.
Of the 62 million tonnes of e-waste produced in 2024, only 22% of it was managed properly, according to the company.
Some 439,495 tonnes of e-waste was generated in Thailand in 2024 and only 10% of it was handled properly, noted AIS.
Thailand ranks third in Southeast Asia for greatest quantity of e-waste produced.
FLY FOR FREE
AIS recently partnered with Central and Japan Airlines (JAL) to launch the “Film Your E-Waste Drop and Fly to Japan for Free!” campaign.
The campaign invites AIS customers, as well as eco-conscious shoppers using Central outlets, to unleash their creativity by producing short videos that inspire friends to dispose of e-waste correctly.
The winners are awarded an exclusive trip to Japan via JAL, featuring an all-inclusive dining, travelling and shopping experience. The campaign runs from now until Nov 30.
The trip includes a collaboration between AIS and Central to explore Japan’s comprehensive e-waste management and recycling ecosystem at a Dowa company in Japan.
Dowa possesses a wealth of expertise in e-waste management and recycling, and is a global leader in e-waste solutions.
Achara Wisuttiwongrat, head of corporate marketing, communication and sustainability at Central, said the company set a target to reduce landfill waste by at least 30% by 2030, and achieve zero landfill waste by 2050 through its “Love The Earth – Zero Waste Now” project.
Takafumi Sawada, regional manager of Thailand, Indochina, and the South Asian subcontinent at JAL, said the airline is deeply committed to its environmental and social responsibilities.
He said the airline set a target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and adopting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced from used cooking oil during flights.
JAL plans to increase the proportion of SAF it uses to 10% by 2030, while modernising its fleet with new, energy-efficient aircraft.
The airline is following the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle + Redesign” principle by eliminating single-use plastics and introducing biodegradable food containers to reduce its environmental impact, said Mr Sawada.
SHIFTING GEARS
Yoshihiro Okada, president of WMS, said Dowa Group has been involved in mining and metal smelting for more than 140 years.
“We shifted our business direction to address the depletion of natural resources by turning e-waste into a valuable source of raw materials for precious metal extraction,” he said.
In Thailand, Mr Okada said Dowa believes “e-waste is not waste, but a valuable resource”.
Through its collaboration with AIS, the e-waste collected is sent to ESBEC, a subsidiary of WMS, for dismantling.
Most of the recyclable materials are processed domestically, while non-recyclable components such as mobile phone batteries are safely disposed of using energy recovery incineration.
For complex yet highly valuable components, such as printed circuit boards containing multiple precious metals, these are exported to Dowa’s facilities in Japan for advanced recycling processes.
Mr Okada said as a global leader in resource extraction and circular utilisation, Dowa is committed to reintegrating these recovered metals back into industrial processes — helping to build a more sustainable future for both society and the environment.