Thailand to welcome orchid lovers worldwide

Organized by the Department of Agriculture, this mammoth orchid event is  taking place at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi province. It was held under the theme "Orchids and Human Beings.” Participants are top-level orchid growers, researchers, and associations from around the Asia-Pacific region.

According to Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives Theerapat Prayurasiddhi, the conference showed Thailand’s potential for orchid conservation and development. It also provided an opportunity for the participants to share information and experience with regard to orchid issues. On this occasion, orchids served as a medium to help promote international cooperation in economic, social, cultural, and tourism areas.

The Asia-Pacific Orchid Conference was initiated in 1984. It aims to achieve international cooperation in the development and conservation of orchids in the Asia-Pacific region. One of the founding members is Professor Repee Sagarik, a Thai orchid expert.

Apart from the conference, APOC 12 features lectures, exhibitions, orchid contests, and cultural performances. The Department of Agriculture also provides information and exhibitions on orchid breeding and the global orchid economy on the sidelines of the conference agenda.

In addition, there was the first RAPEE International Conference, under the theme "Orchid Conservation and Human Goodness,” on 23-24 March 2016. The conference is meant to honor Professor Rapee, who has contributed greatly to Thailand’s orchid conservation and development and has made Thai orchids better known internationally.

Orchid growing is already an impressive enterprise in Thailand, covering 20,000 hectares of land and providing a livelihood for more than 3,000 households. Orchid planting areas are mainly in Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Samut Sakhon, Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, and Chon Buri.

Orchids are used as a symbol of the warm-hearted welcome Thailand extends to visitors. Thailand has an abundance of exotic orchids, though some species are rarely seen now. The beauty of orchids is a natural wonder.

The Government has given a boost to Thai orchid marketing development, aimed at stimulating orchid trade in the country and promoting exports. Around 46 percent of Thai cut orchid production is for export and 54 percent for use in the country. Major markets include Japan, the United States, China, and Italy.