It's not surprising. Now that New Year's is approaching, nearly all of the companies here are hosting New Year's parties. Everywhere, restaurants are booked solid.

Spending on food and booze this month could reach billions of baht in the capital alone.

Indeed, partying is a kind of reward for staff, who get to enjoy eating and drinking while their employer foots the bill. Many companies also hold year-end parties for the press, as a way to thank journalists who dutifully report on the corporations.

Just a thought, but wouldn't it be better for the firms to donate the entertainment money to charitable causes rather than splash it all out on a single night getting people stuffed and smashed?

Reporters recently accompanying the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to a foster home in Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi felt that was a nice change, what with so many sectors of society still suffering.

For years, the SEC would organise an annual party for the group of reporters covering the capital market. Each year, newshounds joined the function and were treated with abundant food and drinks. But this year marked a big change - the SEC contributed the money reserved for that purpose to Baan Fuangfa, a foster home that's scrambling for money to construct another building for its 500 disabled kids.

SEC secretary-general Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala said he instantly fell in love with the idea from the public relations team to scrap the annual party. He felt it was a good way to practise corporate social responsibility.

Some may say Thirachai might indeed want to make some merit after such a tough year, when the SEC came under intense public scrutiny over the Shin Corp deal. Whatever, it is a good sign - more companies are realising the importance of sharing something with the underprivileged.

Indeed, on the day the reporters were there, other foster homes in nearby areas also welcomed a number of visitors.

Yesterday, the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce estimated that year-end spending would reach Bt69.49 billion. It would be really nice if a few percentage points of that went to the underprivileged.

I can assure you that sharing your money with them would make you happier than a fancy dinner and extravagant New Year's present.

achara_d@nationgroup.com