BANGKOK, Thailand – November 19, 2021

AIP Foundation is delighted to announce the official launch of Phase II of the VIA Road Safety Education Programme (VIA Programme) in Thailand. The VIA Programme is supported by Total Energies Foundation and The Michelin Foundation and managed by the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP).

During Phase I implementation, VIA Programme has benefitted over 321 students, 15 teachers, and 11 classes across five different schools in Phra Pradaeng District with active engagement from Michelin and TotalEnergies representatives in Thailand.

Following this success, executives and officers from the Ministry of Education, from the Education Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and School Directors and media representatives joined together to mark the launch of Phase II, supporting the program’s mission to keep students safe on the road.

The welcome remarks at the official launch were delivered by Mr. Pascal Laroche, Country Chair Total Energies Thailand, and GM TotalEnergies EP Thailand. Followed by a report from Ms. Pornwadee Piyakun, Director of Government Relations, Michelin Siam Company Limited. A special keynote speech was delivered by Ms. Orpin Petchtut, Secretary to the Minister of Education on the ‘policies of the Ministry of Education to promote education road safety for students’. All stakeholders attending committed their support for Phase II of the VIA Programme implementation safeguarding our next generation.

AIP Foundation CEO, Mrs. Mirjam Sidk shared, “from 2013 to 2017 more than 17,000 children and teenagers were killed in road traffic crashes throughout Thailand. These are not merely numbers or statistics but real lives, real families, and members of the community that we tragically lost. These deaths are preventable. Road safety education is one of the key compontents to end this tragedy.”