Gov urges sustainable building in Phuket

PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada praised Siam Cement Group’s (SCG) newest building in greater Bangkok, which incorporates the latest design concepts.

The governor urged Phuket’s developers to follow suit, during the Phuket & Southern Thailand FM & Green Building Seminar held late last month.

SCG, the largest cement supplier in Southeast Asia, moved into its new headquarters on its 100th anniversary, said SCG portfolio management executive Panupan Papan.

Mr Panupan said that building sustainably means balancing between the delicate needs of the environment, the economy and society. “The true definition of a green building lies in its sustainability.”

He said that the SCG headquarters was specifically designed to limit the energy needed to regulate the building’s temperature, lighting and water consumption requirements.

“Phuket’s builders should not disturb their surrounding natural environment by clearing forests or building on a gradient, which may cause erosion. As a tropical island, it’s important for developers to adopt green building designs to preserve the natural environment. It’s crucial for builders to incorporate their developments into the environment, rather than the other way around,” said Mr Panupan.

To that effect, Mr Panupan recommended the use of renewable building materials, including bamboo and recycled metal and stone.

— Sukawin Tanthavanich