AMCHAM CSR Excellence Awards
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a key pillar of ethical business. At AMCHAM, we are proud of what our member companies do to give back to Thailand and Thai society, making the business and social environment better for all of us.
To honor these efforts, AMCHAM awards CSR Recognition to companies that demonstrate an advanced understanding of the linkages between business operations and society, and conduct business in a way that creates long-term economic and social value. Our goal is to identify excellence, not just through individual projects or monetary contributions, but through good internal strategy and systems to support CSR and integrate it throughout the company's business practices. In 2021, 87 AMCHAM members received CSR Recognition status. In addition, each year we grant a few Special Awards for exceptional individual projects that represent the best of CSR programming.
Throughout the year, our CSR Committee shares these best practices with the entire membership, providing support and resources for member companies who are developing or improving their CSR strategies.
Each November, in Thanksgiving week, AMCHAM hosts the AMCHAM CSR Excellence Award Gala Dinner to celebrate our award winners.
2022 AMCHAM CSR EXCELLENCE AWARD TIMELINE
June 30: Application opens
August 31: Application closed
September 5: Application scored, finalists selected for special awards
October 5: Special awards submissions deadline
October 17-20: Special award finalists present to judging panels
November: AMCHAM CSR Excellence Awards Ceremony
AMCHAM CSR EXCELLENCE AWARD FAQ
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CSR Recognition
AMCHAM awards CSR Recognition each year to companies whose overall business practices meet a benchmark of CSR excellence. In addition, we recognize different tiers for companies who receive this award in consecutive years:
CSR Silver level: 3 consecutive years
CSR Gold level: 5 consecutive years
CSR Platinum level: 10 consecutive years
CSR Special Awards
Our CSR Special Awards honor individual projects that represent excellence in CSR programming. The 2022 special award categories are:
♦ The Ambassador's Award
Supporting innovation in the BCG model through US-Thai partnership for transfer of technology or skills
♦ The Thai Development Award
Fostering sustainable development in alignment with the principles of the Bio-Circular-Green Economic Model (BCG)
♦The CSR Excellence Award
Nurturing an inclusive society by embracing diversity to reduce inequality (DE&I)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of AMCHAM CSR Excellence Recognition?
Show MoreWhat are the benefits of ACE Recognition?
- Honored at AMCHAM at special Dinner in November
- Permanent recognition at AMCHAM office for Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels
- Social media promotion
- Acknowledgement on AMCHAM website
- Recognition in AMCHAM press release
- Invitation to present at AMCHAM CSR monthly meeting
- Featured in TAB magazine article
Who can apply for AMCHAM CSR Excellence Recognition?
Show MoreWho can apply for ACE Recognition?
ACE recognition is open to all AMCHAM members in good standing who:
- Demonstrate a commitment to good CSR practices;
- Have a CSR strategy in operation for at least one year (starting May 31. 2021); and
- Are willing to share information with other AMCHAM members.
What are the evaluation criteria for CSR Awards?
Show MoreWhat are the evaluation criteria for ACE recognition?
CSR Awards are given to the companies that demonstrate sustainable business practices and integrate these practices with the company’s business strategy through good governance, social responsibility, business integrity, holistic and well-rounded stakeholder engagement, and demonstrated delivery of positive impacts on the society and environment. The CSR Committee sets the criteria structure addressing seven key dimensions:
- Sustainability
- Strength and range of strategic partnerships
- Stakeholder engagement in all phases of activity – especially planning
- Employee involvement
- Integration with company mission
- Creation of long-term economic gain for targeted beneficiaries
- Creation of wider societal benefits
- Creativity of approach
- Organizational Policy & Practices
- Philanthropic responsibility (What is good and desired by society?)
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), UN SDGs, etc.
- Stakeholder Interests
- Stakeholders
- Management
- Employee
- Government
- Community/ Union
- Measurability of results
- Evidence-based management (Data collection and impact assessment)
- Performance indicator (CSR related KPIs, ROI)
- Culture of values
- Underpin management, operations, incentives and monitoring activities to boost productivity, commitment, and create a sustainable mindset
- Communication
- Internal – sharing best practices, knowledge sharing
- External – sustainability reporting, public communications
What does 'recognition' mean?
Show MoreWhat does 'recognition' mean?
ACE recognizes AMCHAM member efforts to conduct business in a sustainable manner based upon important CSR criteria. Contrary to popular belief, this is not related to CSR charitable donations. Key to ACE recognition is good internal strategy and systems to support CSR, not individual projects. Individual CSR projects are recognized through the awards.
What are the levels of AMCHAM CSR Excellence Recognition?
Show MoreWhat are the levels of ACE recognition?
Recognition for CSR excellence is granted as follows:
- Recognition: a firm that passes the numerical scoring evaluation, based upon their application survey
- Silver level: a firm passes the evaluation for 3 consecutive years;
- Gold level: a firm passes the evaluation for 5 consecutive years;
- Platinum level: a firm passes the evaluation for 10 consecutive years.
How do I apply?
Show MoreHow do I apply?
Simply complete the on-line application survey by the August 13 application deadline at the link at the top of this page.
What is the timeline for the CSR Award?
Show MoreWhat is the timeline for the CSR Award?
June 30: Application opens
August 31: Application closed
September 5: Application scored, finalists selected for special awards
October 5: Special awards submissions deadline
October 17-20: Special award finalists present to judging panels
November: AMCHAM CSR Excellence Awards Ceremony
Why did the Board launch this program?
Show MoreWhy did the Board launch this program?
The AMCHAM Board and the CSR Committee seek to highlight the efforts of member companies by:
- Raising awareness of CSR among AMCHAM members,
- Providing recognition to member firms with exemplary CSR programs,
- Gathering information on CSR best practices to share with all AMCHAM member companies, and
- Continuing AMCHAM's CSR leadership among foreign chambers in Thailand.
Are Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) held to the same standard as larger firms?
Show MoreAre Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) held to the same standard as larger firms?
SMEs are held to a lower numeric scoring threshold for ACE recognition that is more in line with their budgets and capabilities. For the special awards, all semi-finalists/finalists are judged under the same criteria, judges do take into account the size and scope of a CSR project compared to the size of the company.
What are the Special Awards?
Show MoreWhat are the Special Awards?
Beginning in 2016, AMCHAM CSR Excellence Awards afforded companies who scored exceptionally well on the numerical scoring evaluation the opportunity to apply for a special award to honor internal or external project that represented excellence in CSR programming. As such, the special awards are a competition, and allow companies with excellent CSR programs to be recognized and possibly awarded for their efforts. Companies selected for the short-list will be given an opportunity to accept or decline consideration for the awards. Winners of special awards from 2019, 2020 and 2021 are not eligible to receive special awards in 2022 (three year cool off period for award winners).
Regarding Thailand set the policy and direction to drive the BCG national agenda. The BCG agenda also sets goals of reducing social inequality, improving access to healthcare, increasing energy self-sufficiency, cutting down greenhouse gas emissions, adding more forest areas, and upskilling workers. In addition, the Thai and US governments work cooperatively to drive the BCG agenda to support APEC 2022 which Thailand is hosting this year. In keeping with the spirit of AMCHAM in Thailand, these awards typically support key priorities important to AMCHAM member companies, and both the U.S. and Thai governments.
The 2022 Award Theme is BCG Economy: a new economic model for inclusive and sustainable growth
*For the Ambassador’s Award, the project must be focused on Thailand and have been running for at least one year as of 1 June 2021.
**Due to the special nature of this year’s Thai Development Award and CSR Excellence Award, the one-year duration restriction does not apply.
What is the judging process for the Special Awards?
Show MoreWhat is the judging process for the Special Awards?
- Screening and selection for recognition
- Top (for each special award) 10 go to semi-finals (invitation only)
- CSR Committee screening and categorization (may include follow-up meetings)
- Selection of 3 Finalists
- Judging panel evaluation and selection (finalists must present to the judges)
- Winners announced at the gala dinner
All special award winners will be announced the night of the gala. Winners are NOT informed in advance if they have won a special award.
Who are the past Special Award winners?
Show MoreWho are the past Special Award winners?
2021 Special Award Winners
Excellence in CSR Project Award: DEI Within the Workplace and Community, Philip Morris
Excellence in Thai Development Project: Covid-19 Socio-Economic Resilience, HSBC
Ambassador’s Award for Excellence in Thai-U.S. Partnership: Thai-US Partnership in Technological Advancement for a Low-Carbon Future, Dow Chemical
2020 Special Award Winners
Excellence in CSR Project Award: Cardinal Health 222 (Thailand) Ltd
Excellence in Thai Development Project: Yum Restaurants International (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Ambassador’s Award for Excellence in Thai-U.S. Partnership: Johnson & Johnson Thailand
2019 Special Award Winners
Excellence in CSR Project: MQDC
Excellence in Partnership (Ambassador’s Award): Procter & Gamble
Excellence in Promoting Thai Development: Bank of Ayudhya
People’s Choice Award:
Over 3 Million Baht: WHA Group
Under 3 Million Baht: Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
2018 Special Award Winners
Excellence in CSR Project Award: Minor
Excellence in CSR Project Award (under 1 million baht): Cargill
Excellence in Promoting Smart People: Microsoft
Excellence in Education Partnership (the Ambassador’s Award): Cisco
2017 Special Award Winners
Excellence in CSR Project: IBM
Excellence in Partnership (Ambassador’s Award): Western Digital
Excellence in Promoting Thailand 4.0: Dow Chemical
When are the awards announced and presented?
Show MoreWhen are the awards announced and presented?
We will announce the members receiving CSR Awards and the short-list of special award finalists in November during the AMCHAM CSR Excellence Awards Ceremony. Special award winners are NOT informed in advance.