BANGKOK, Thailand – December 1-2, 2022

As part of the growing legacy of the Safety Delivered program, supported by The UPS Foundation, Phase III of the program is set to take place in Bangkok, Thailand. In cooperation with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Office of the Basic Education Commission, AIP Foundation will be hosting two helmet handover ceremonies for the students at Piboon Prachasan School and Keha Chumchon Ladkrabang School, respectively.In Thailand, during this year of theSafety Deliveredprogram (2021 – 2022), 50% of students who participate are from underrepresented communities. These children often lack access to safe and sustainable journeys to school. The helmets make a life-saving difference for vulnerable children on their way to and from school.

On their daily commute to get an education, many children are at risk. Road crashes are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years globally. Lat Krabang District and Din Daeng District, where both project schools are located, have the most crashes in the Bangkok Metropolitan area. This represents a public health crisis that disproportionately affects young people the most. It highlights the urgent need for preventive action. Helmets are a uniquely affordable and effective protection against head injuries on the road. Wearing a quality helmet can reduce the risk of death by 42% and the risk of serious brain injury by 69%.

The events aim at promoting community awareness of the life-saving importance of increasing child helmet use. The event at Piboon Prachasan School will commence with a welcome and introduction by Dr. Chana Summat, an Expert on Guidance and Counselling Development from the Ministry of Education, and Mrs. Chuleeporn Wongpipat, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Education. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will deliver the opening speech at Keha Chumchon Ladkrabang School.

The Safety Delivered ceremonies represent a unique opportunity for students to learn lifelong skills on how to be attentive on the road to adapt and behave more safely. Education plays a crucial role in creating a new generation of road users that have the knowledge to act safer, ensuring the lasting impact of the program. Inclusivity is at the heart of Safety Delivered in order to achieve the goals set out by the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

“At UPS, we value equity and justice, working together with people all over the world to create a more equitable future that is sustainable for everyone. Today’s event represents more than just helmets. It brings us closer to achieving a safe commute for the students at the six project schools, ensuring that they will be better equipped for their trip to and from school,” shared Russell Reed, Country Manager for Thailand and the Philippines.