During the 57^th AIPH Congress held in Montreal, Canada, in September 2005, members of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) unanimously agreed to grant A1 status, the association’s highest rating, to Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 – International Horticultural Exposition for His Majesty the King.

Thailand will be the first country in Southeast Asia to host an A1 exposition.

An “A1” classification for an international horticultural exposition as defined by AIPH is “an international exhibition of long duration of at least 3 months; 6 months at most.”

The presentation to the AIPH Council was made by Mr. Prasert Anupunt, Deputy Director General of Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government and the Kingdom of Thailand. He assured the esteemed members of the AIPH Committee that Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 will meet all requirements for A1 status required by AIPH.

The association’s endorsement is predicated upon an assessment of Thailand’s capabilities and readiness as a host country for an AIPH-recognized international horticultural exposition. This includes the potential and readiness in terms of project implementation; the quality and impressive variety of plants, especially tropical flora that will be showcased; the quality of project management in all relevant areas; all aspects of horticulture being represented with dedicated zones being allocated within the expo for plant exhibits and other related activities on offer; and the size of the exposition site, which at 80 hectares is larger than average.

During July 5-8 this year, President of the International Association of Horticultural Producers, Professor Dr. Doeke C. Faber, accompanied by AIPH Vice President, Shinya Wada from Japan and Secretary General Peter Ruhnke from Germany, were in Thailand as honored guests of the Royal Thai Government and the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek Organizing Committee to assess Thailand’s level of readiness to host an A1 exposition. Following an inspection trip to the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek exposition site at the Royal Agricultural Research Center in the northern city of Chiang Mai, AIPH President Professor Dr. Doeke C. Faber spoke about Thailand’s horticultural strengths and contribution to the global horticultural industry.

"Go anywhere in the US, or in Europe, or anywhere else in the world, and people enjoy the products of Thailand: flowers – specifically orchids, vegetables and fruits.

"The strengths of Thailand is that it is an agricultural-oriented country. Thailand has become a major exporter of horticultural products such as rice, tapioca, fruits and vegetables, so Thailand is a major trading nation and an important trade partner. That's why we are also happy to be able to organize this exhibition.

"The Thai government has already been very successful in bringing in international participants. Ratchapruek has only a very short lead time to get everything organized. It will therefore be a real achievement in the short time that Thailand has set for itself to present to the King and the Thai people a beautiful and colorful horticultural exhibition."

The confirmation of Thailand’s readiness for A1 expo status demonstrates that AIPH has complete confidence in Thailand’s capabilities to host a world-class horticultural exposition.

Photo:
Mr. Prasert Anupunt, Deputy Director General of Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (left);
Professor Dr. Doeke C. Faber, AIPH President (centre); and
His Excellency Snanchart Devahastin, Thailand’s Ambassador to Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, and Granada (right).