Bangkok: The Department of Cooperative Promotion organized a significant event to celebrate the 110th anniversary of Thai cooperatives, highlighting the theme "Members are the heart of the nation, building a stable Thai economy." Mr. Winairoj Trapsongsuk, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, presided over the National Cooperative Day 2026 event held at the Department of Cooperative Promotion, Thewes, Bangkok. This annual event follows the Cabinet's resolution designating February 26th as "National Cooperative Day." It also commemorates the contributions of His Royal Highness Prince Pitayalangkorn, regarded as "the Father of Thai Cooperatives," who initiated the cooperative movement in Thailand by establishing the first cooperative, the "Wat Chan Unlimited Liability Cooperative," in 1916.According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Nirun Multhida, Director-General of the Department of Cooperative Promotion, detailed the activities commemorating the 110th anniversary. The event featured five main activities: a religious and wreath-laying ceremony honoring Prince Pitayalangkorn, a presentation of policies by Prime Minister Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, an exhibition showcasing the achievements of cooperatives, a blood donation drive, and an exhibition and sale of unique local agricultural products. The event, dubbed "Co-op Market Fair 2026," included a wide range of consumer goods such as Ban Phaeo fragrant coconuts and Phrae indigo-dyed fabrics.The Director-General also mentioned similar ceremonies being held at the Cooperative Development and Technology Transfer Office and the Cooperative League of Thailand in Bangkok. Various provinces will host cooperative activities to foster unity among members, like public service events and sports competitions. An exhibition titled "Counting from 1 to 110 Years of Thai Cooperatives" is being organized in Phitsanulok Province, marking the site of the first cooperative in Thailand. The Department is also using its Facebook page to disseminate academic know ledge in commemoration of National Cooperative Day 2026.Currently, Thailand has 6,268 cooperatives categorized into agricultural, land settlement, fisheries, consumer, service, credit union, and savings cooperatives, comprising over 12 million member families with a business volume exceeding 2.73 trillion baht. The Director-General emphasized the role of cooperatives in strengthening the economy and society, especially in crises, and highlighted the importance of comprehensive knowledge in production, business management, marketing, and digital innovation to empower cooperatives.
