BANGKOK, THAILAND – AIS Group, a leading force in Thailand’s digital landscape, has achieved significant international recognition, capturing three prestigious awards from prominent Thai and Asian financial institutions for its pioneering sustainability bond and green loan initiatives. These accolades underscore the company’s unwavering commitment to environmentally and socially responsible business practices, bolstering investor confidence and marking a key milestone in its journey towards sustainable development goals within the telecommunications sector.
Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS) and its subsidiary, Advanced Wireless Network Company Limited (AWN), have solidified their position at the forefront of sustainable finance within the telecommunications industry. The group’s commitment was recently celebrated on multiple fronts, garnering significant honours that reflect both domestic and regional acknowledgement of their strategic financial management aligned with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.
In a notable achievement within the domestic market, AIS was presented with the highly coveted “Deal of The Year” award at the ThaiBMA Best Bond Awards 2024. This event, organized by the Thai Bond Market Association (ThaiBMA), is a benchmark for excellence within Thailand’s bond market, recognizing organizations that demonstrate outstanding performance in bond issuance and management, thereby earning substantial trust from domestic investors. This award specifically highlights the impact and successful execution of AIS’s recent sustainability bond issuance.
Further extending its recognition onto the regional stage, AIS received double honours at The Asset Triple A Sustainable Finance Awards 2025. Hosted by The Asset, a premier financial publishing group widely respected across Asia, these awards commend institutions championing sustainability through transparent, responsible, and impactful investment practices.
AIS itself was awarded “Best Sustainability Bond – Telecom”, recognizing the structure, success, and sustainable framework underpinning its bond offering. Simultaneously, its subsidiary, AWN, secured the “Best Green Loan – Telecom” award, acknowledging its effective utilization of loan facilities dedicated specifically to environmentally beneficial projects.
These three awards collectively affirm the success and integrity of AIS Group’s sustainable financing strategy. Central to this achievement was the issuance of THB 25 billion in sustainability bonds, notable not only for its significant size – marking it as the largest issuance of its kind in Thailand to date – but also for achieving the highest possible credit rating for ESG-focused bonds, AAA(tha). Complementing the bond issuance was the strategic execution of a THB 1.2 billion green loan facility for AWN. These financial instruments are pivotal in channeling capital towards projects that drive tangible progress in environmental stewardship and social development.
Mr. Montri Khongkruephan, Chief Finance Officer of AIS, expressed immense pride in receiving these accolades, viewing them as validation of the company’s core operational philosophy. “AIS is committed to operating sustainably across all dimensions, aligned with our ‘Sustainable Nation’ vision,” he stated. “This approach aims to foster inclusive growth within Thailand’s ecosystem economy—encompassing people, society, the economy, and the environment in the digital era. We are focused on advancing smart digital technologies and strengthening our 5G infrastructure toward becoming a Green Network, while actively pursuing sustainable financing strategies.”
He elaborated on the significance of the awards, adding, “Receiving these three prestigious awards is a great source of pride for us, as it affirms our position as a trusted Thai telecom company among investors. It is also a testament to our tangible progress toward a sustainable future—through the support of a THB 1.2 billion green loan and the issuance of THB 25 billion in sustainability bonds with a AAA(tha) rating, marking the largest issuance of its kind in Thailand.”
The capital raised through these award-winning financial initiatives is strictly earmarked for deployment under the comprehensive AIS Sustainable Finance Framework. This framework acts as a guiding principle, ensuring that investment decisions actively contribute to holistic sustainable development. The funds are strategically allocated between two key categories of projects:
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Eligible Green Projects: This category focuses on enhancing environmental performance, primarily through investments in network infrastructure aimed at improving energy efficiency and promoting renewable energy usage. Specific initiatives include deploying sophisticated AI-driven analytics to meticulously monitor and optimize energy consumption across the network, alongside transitioning towards cleaner energy sources. These efforts are central to AIS’s ambition of evolving its extensive 5G infrastructure into a ‘Green Network’, minimizing its environmental footprint while maintaining cutting-edge service delivery.
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Eligible Social Projects: Addressing the social pillar of sustainability, these projects concentrate on leveraging AIS’s technological capabilities to foster digital inclusion and improve quality of life across Thailand. Key initiatives involve expanding smart network coverage, particularly to underserved populations and remote communities. This expansion facilitates broader access to essential digital services, including reliable internet connectivity, online public utilities, and crucial digital education tools. By bridging the digital divide, AIS aims to uplift social equity and stimulate economic opportunities nationwide.
The recognition from both ThaiBMA and The Asset serves not only as an endorsement of AIS’s financial strategy but also reinforces the growing importance of sustainable practices within the capital markets. Investors, both domestic and international, are increasingly prioritizing companies that demonstrate a clear commitment to ESG principles and transparently integrate sustainability into their core business operations and financing activities. AIS’s success provides a compelling case study for how telecommunications companies can effectively leverage sustainable finance mechanisms to achieve both business growth and positive societal impact.
Looking ahead, AIS intends to build upon this momentum. Mr. Montri affirmed the company’s ongoing dedication: “AIS will continue to champion lasting change by investing in environmentally friendly network development, empowering digital opportunities, and adhering to strong governance principles. Our goal is to ensure inclusive, sustainable growth for people and businesses alike, while delivering long-term value to Thai society.”
The triple award win powerfully reinforces AIS Group’s leadership narrative, showcasing its ability to innovate not just in technology but also in financial stewardship. By successfully tapping into green and sustainability-linked financing, AIS is not only funding its future growth and network enhancements but also actively contributing to Thailand’s broader sustainable development agenda, setting a high standard for corporate responsibility within the ASEAN region’s dynamic telecommunications sector. The recognition from esteemed bodies like ThaiBMA and The Asset validates this approach and signals strong confidence from the financial community in AIS’s sustainable vision and execution capabilities.
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