THAILAND: CMMU joins hands with the Phuket Chamber of Commerce to develop Thai businesses that care about human rights.

Award recipients

Prof. Natt Pimpa from CMMU

Business and human rights must go hand in hand for sustainability.”

— Nattawut Phimpha

BANGKOK, BANGKOK, THAILAND, September 21, 2025 / EINPresswire.com / -- The College of Management, Mahidol University ( CMMU ), in collaboration with the Phuket Chamber of Commerce and young entrepreneurs, and the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT), are promoting sustainable business development and respect for human rights. On September 19, the partners held a certificate presentation ceremony for introductory learning in business and human rights to 11 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Mr. Sopon Suwannarat, Governor of Phuket Province, presided over the ceremony, along

with Ms. Pitikarn Sittidej, National Human Rights Commissioner; Associate Professor Nattawut Phimpha, Assistant Dean for Sustainability, College of Management, Mahidol University; and Mr. Nopphathorn Petchote, Vice President of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce.

The Phuket Chamber of Commerce and the Young Entrepreneur Chamber of Commerce (YEC) have collaborated with the College of Management, Mahidol University (CMMU) and the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand ( NHRC ) to organize intensive training for entrepreneurs from 11 organizations and enhance business and human rights skills from the CMMU team, focusing on management within the framework of the UNGPs on business and human rights to promote socially responsible business practices and respect for human rights.

Associate Professor Nattawut Phimpha, instructor and curriculum designer at the College of Management, Mahidol University, commented, “The College of Management places importance on training and research on human rights issues in business processes, and on monitoring to prevent human rights violations in businesses. Transforming an organization into a sustainable business model requires caring for all stakeholders and avoiding any violations in the trade process. This is a global trade approach that Thailand must adapt to.” Furthermore, the College of Management has designed a process to create an ecosystem for human rights-conscious businesses in Phuket, given its readiness in several ways.

This collaboration took the form of a special workshop and coaching session by CMMU for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Phuket Province, focusing on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), which include the following key points:

- Knowledge and Awareness Building – Participants received a basic understanding of human rights in business, including the application of international frameworks such as the UNGPs to the Thai socio-economic context. Case studies from both multinational corporations and Thai SMEs were used to provide a clear picture of best practices and potential challenges.
- Risk Analysis and Human Rights Due Diligence – This training focused on SMEs practicing analytical tools and assessing human rights risks that may arise from their operations, supply chains, and interactions with communities. Practical workshops included simulations of labor risks, environmental impacts, and community relations, and writing an organization’s business and human rights statement. -
Policy Development and Organizational Integration – Participants received guidelines for designing, reviewing, and implementing a human rights policy tailored to their organization. This approach emphasized a step-by-step approach to embedding respect for human rights into business strategy, including ongoing monitoring and evaluation of performance.

This collaboration marks another important step in supporting SMEs in Phuket and Thailand to elevate their business standards to align with international standards, build stakeholder trust, and create sustainable long-term competitiveness.