Far beyond a green pledge

As Thailand moves through one of the most transformative periods in its economic development, sustainability at Krungsri has grown far beyond a green pledge. It has become the core philosophy underpinning how the bank creates long-term value for customers, builds opportunity, resilience and trust, and helps Thai businesses and society navigate the changes ahead.

“Sustainability is also about protecting the trust that customers place in us. As financial threats become more sophisticated, we have an important responsibility to protect customers and safeguard the integrity of the bank and the wider financial system,” said Kenichi Yamato, president and CEO of Bank of Ayudhya, also known as Krungsri.

Sustainable finance

Under its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0, Thailand has set a more ambitious pathway towards achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Meeting this target will require businesses across the economy to accelerate their transitions and increase investment in sustainable solutions.

Mr Yamato believes the financial sector has a critical role to play.

“Krungsri is well positioned to support businesses throughout their sustainability journey through a comprehensive range of financial solutions and advisory capabilities. The bank also leverages the global expertise of its major shareholder, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), to support local businesses in their transition towards sustainability.”

Krungsri aims to provide 350 billion baht in social and sustainable finance by 2030.

As of September 2026, the bank had already delivered around 333 billion baht. It has also continued to support corporates and state-owned enterprises in issuing environmental, social and governance (ESG) bonds, accounting for a 26% share of the market and reinforcing its leading position in Thailand’s sustainable finance market.

“Nonetheless, the real impact is not measured by numbers. It is about building momentum and encouraging more businesses to view sustainability not merely as a compliance requirement, but as an opportunity to strengthen competitiveness and create long-term value,” he said.

SME sustainability

Krungsri has also been supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in advancing their sustainability efforts through the Krungsri ESG Academy.

Mr Yamoto says many SME owners initially struggle to navigate the complexities of sustainability.

“For SMEs, the first reaction is often concern: ‘Where do I start? How much will it cost? Will it pay off?’ Through our knowledge centre, we can help them better understand sustainability and how to get started,” he said.

Through the academy, Krungsri helps entrepreneurs gain practical knowledge of sustainability across four key areas: economic, environmental, social and governance. The bank also supports them in developing transition plans tailored to their individual business needs and circumstances.

Global connections

Looking ahead, Mr Yamato said Krungsri aims to become a leading sustainable and regional bank and position itself as a trusted partner to its customers.

He emphasised that no single organisation can achieve Thailand’s sustainability transition alone.

“We are committed to supporting Thailand’s transition. As part of MUFG, we can serve as a bridge connecting Thailand with the wider region and Japan, linking capital, technology and partners,” Mr Yamato said.

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