The Stock Exchange of Thailand has finally opened its new head office building on Ratchadaphisek Road and the THB3.4 billion development has several features that make it a “green building” which could see it earn LEED certification.
SET@93 Ratchada is the first head office owned solely by the SET since it was established in 1975. The design of the project is quite unique in that it was inspired by the organization’s logo, which is two fish on an antique Chinese plate signifying yin and yang. This is supposed to symbolize supply and demand, a key stock market concept. There is usable space of 40,000 sqm and the building sits on an 8,000sqm. plot of land.
“We decided to build our first head office on Ratchadaphisek Road because of its proximity to the MRT, which provides easy transport,” said Pannavadee Ladavalya Na Ayudhya, SET senior vice president and group head of communication and administration. “The location is also in Bangkok’s new central business district. [The head office] matches our policy to be a leader in sustainable buildings under the concept of energy-saving and innovation.”
She also pointed out that SET@93 Ratchada has applied for recognition as an energy-saving building with LEED Gold certification, something seen as a must for buildings that want to promote themselves as green facilities.
“We can save energy by using LEDs [light-emitting diodes], a daylight sensor system, and solar cells. Our energy-saving system is designed to support our strategy to cut energy costs and reduce [emissions of carbon dioxide] from the building into the environment,” Pannavadee explained.
Of course, in addition to being good for the environment, it must also be functional. In Pannavaddee’s opinion, this is not a problem for SET@93 Ratchada. She said, “We believe that our new headquarters offers a complete range of services for investors, entrepreneurs and the general public, while creating an ideal investment learning hub, underlining the SET’s mission to lay a strong foundation for personal finance, savings and investment to benefit youth and working people up to retirement age.”
