- Expands the “E-Waste TinkTookTee DTorJai” initiative to island communities, addressing the silent threat of electronic waste
- Mobilizes regional True teams to support marine conservation and sustainable tourism efforts
- Enhances island connectivity with 5G and AI to deliver reliable service while optimizing energy efficiency
On World Ocean Day, observed globally each year on June 8 to raise awareness of the value of oceans and the importance of marine conservation, True Corporation (SET: TRUE) is collaborating with the Thailand Sustainable Islands Network on the “30+ Islands Clean-Up: So Cool Mission 2026,” with Koh Samui in Surat Thani serving as the pilot location.
True’s regional teams are working alongside local communities, tourism operators, volunteers and partners from more than 30 islands across the country to help restore marine resources, reduce both general waste and electronic waste (E-Waste), and encourage community participation in protecting the marine environment in a sustainable manner. At the same time, True is leveraging the capabilities of its 5G network to support communication and coordination among project partners, while ensuring high-quality connectivity and services that meet the needs of customers, local communities, businesses and tourists across island destinations and coastal tourism areas.
This initiative reflects True’s role as a telecom-tech company that views its network as more than a communications infrastructure. It is a “power of connectivity” that enables island communities to communicate, collaborate, raise awareness and strengthen local economies on an ongoing basis. In marine tourism destinations in particular, reliable internet connectivity has become a critical foundation for daily life, local businesses and visitor experiences. True also remains committed to long-term collaboration among communities, tourism businesses, government agencies, private-sector organizations and civil society to help safeguard Thailand’s seas, which are not only valuable natural resources and sources of income, but also the foundation of quality of life for coastal and island communities.
Khun Oliver Kittipong Veeratecha, Chief Brand and Communications Officer, True Corporation Public Company Limited, said, “The sea is more than a natural resource. It represents the livelihood, economy and pride of Thailand’s island communities. True is proud to play a part in protecting the marine environment through what we do best — connecting people, communities, tourism businesses and volunteer networks through our 5G network and digital technologies. This enables communication, coordination and environmental engagement to take place more effectively and seamlessly.
In addition to addressing general waste that affects the marine environment, True also places great importance on raising awareness of electronic waste, or E-Waste, a silent environmental threat that many people may overlook. When improperly disposed of, E-Waste can release toxic substances and heavy metals into waterways and marine ecosystems, causing long-term environmental damage.
We believe that good technology is not only about being faster or more innovative. It must also help people, communities and the environment grow together in a balanced way. Our support for the 30+ Islands Clean-Up: So Cool Mission 2026 is another example of how Tech for Good can be applied in real life, connecting the collective efforts of individuals and transforming them into meaningful change for Thailand’s seas.”
True Corporation has expanded its 5G and 4G network coverage across islands and remote areas nationwide, supported by Thailand’s most comprehensive spectrum portfolio. The company also utilizes AI to monitor network quality around the clock and intelligently manage energy consumption at base stations, automatically adjusting operations according to actual usage demand to reduce energy consumption without compromising service quality. This is complemented by the use of solar energy at network sites, reflecting True’s commitment to environmentally responsible network development.
The 30+ Islands Clean-Up: So Cool Mission 2026 will also serve as part of the lead-up to the Thailand Sustainable Island Tourism Symposium 2026, which will take place from 11–13 June 2026 on Koh Samui. The symposium aims to advance sustainable island tourism development at the national level.
Mr. Aut Arunrattanapong, Head of Regional Management (South), True Corporation Public Company Limited, said, “Through our experience serving Southern Thailand, we have observed that major tourism destinations and island communities such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao exhibit unique digital usage patterns, particularly during holidays, peak tourism seasons and nighttime hours. During these periods, restaurants, cafés, hotels, tourism operators, visitors and the growing workation community generate significantly higher data traffic through social media engagement, video streaming, real-time content sharing, online meetings, digital payments and a wide range of digital services.”
Mr. Aut added, “For island communities, reliable and comprehensive connectivity is about far more than network speed. It is essential infrastructure that enables local entrepreneurs to compete, enhances visitors’ confidence and helps communities access new opportunities in the digital economy. This is why True leverages AI to analyze local usage patterns, enabling us to optimize network performance and develop services tailored to the needs of different user groups. These include Tourist SIM packages, eSIM services for international visitors, Work from Anywhere internet packages, as well as digital solutions for local shops, restaurants, hotels and community-based businesses. At the same time, our teams provide social media training for local communities and students interested in digital entrepreneurship, helping them leverage digital platforms to create economic opportunities and strengthen their livelihoods.”
In addition, True Corporation has been ranked among the Top 1% of the world’s most sustainable companies in the telecommunications industry by S&P Global for eight consecutive years. This recognition reflects the capability of a Thai organization on the global stage and its commitment to delivering measurable sustainability outcomes across network development, energy management, customer experience, digital safety, education and people development, with technology and AI serving as key enablers in transforming ESG ambitions into tangible results.
True’s participation in the “30+ Islands Clean-Up: So Cool Mission 2026” also demonstrates the company’s commitment to embedding sustainability into every aspect of its operations, from policy development to on-the-ground implementation. By promoting responsible growth, efficient resource utilization and long-term value creation, True aims to maintain a sustainable balance between business, people, society and the environment, reinforcing the sustainability leadership recognized by S&P Global.
At the same time, True is leveraging its participation in the 30+ Islands Clean-Up: So Cool Mission 2026 to expand the “E-Waste TinkTookTee DTorJai” initiative to island communities, raising awareness that threats to marine ecosystems extend beyond plastic waste. Improperly disposed electronic waste, or E-Waste, can release hazardous substances and heavy metals into waterways and marine environments, posing risks to marine ecosystems if not managed properly.
Through the initiative, island residents can conveniently bring electronic waste to designated True collection points. The experience is further enhanced through True App, which enables users to locate nearby drop-off points, track real-time environmental impact and receive ”Drop for Reward” privilege for participation. All collected E-Waste is then recycled and managed through a systematic process in line with True’s “Zero E-Waste to Landfill” commitment, helping reduce the use of new resources while supporting the Circular Economy.
The initiative also supports SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13 on Climate Action, contributing to the protection of Thailand’s marine resources, reducing environmental impacts and helping create a better quality of life for communities and future generations.
