Udon Thani:The Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo has commenced, inaugurated by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The event, running from November 1, 2026, to March 14, 2027, at Nong Dae Wetland, Kut Sa Subdistrict, aims to elevate Thailand's agricultural and tourism sectors to the global stage. The Prime Minister emphasized the potential of Thai agriculture and declared the transformation of the Northeast region into a hub for agriculture and tourism a national agenda.
According to Thai News Agency, the opening ceremony was attended by numerous ambassadors, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and representatives from the International Horticultural Society. The Prime Minister welcomed international visitors and highlighted the significance of the event, sanctioned by the International Horticultural Society, as an opportunity to showcase Thailand's horticulture, agriculture, and biodiversity.
The Prime Minister outlined that the World Horticultural Expo serves as a platform to demonstrate the integration of plants, water, and people, focusing on plant conservation, wetland management, climate change adaptation, and the application of technology in agriculture. He linked these initiatives to the BCG (Bio-Circular-Green) model, emphasizing biotechnology and environmental sustainability. The expo aims to foster collaboration among farmers, researchers, and entrepreneurs, promoting market development and business opportunities.
The Prime Minister expressed hopes that the expo would benefit citizens, including farmers and businesses, while elevating northeastern provinces as major agricultural and tourism centers. Plans are in place to develop the area into a horticultural knowledge hub and a venue for international events, ensuring long-term community benefits.
In his speech, the Prime Minister thanked various sectors for their efforts in making the expo a success and praised the preparations by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and Udon Thani Province. He announced a future horticultural exposition in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Despite weather challenges, with some activities canceled due to rain and strong winds, the event's opening was well received, and the Prime Minister's remarks about the weather were met with laughter.
The Prime Minister concluded with plans for a Cabinet meeting in Udon Thani to declare agriculture a key national agenda item, emphasizing its importance to the Thai people and farmers.