Orchid and Ornamental Plant

H.R.H. Princess Chulabhorn initiated Orchid Project in 1992 at Chulabhorn Pattana 5 Vilage in Narathiwat Province. Objective of the project is to serve as a center to demaonstrate and extension of knowledge about orchid bultivation to encourage the people of Chulabhron Pattana 5 Village to grow orchid and ornamental plants as a supplementary occupation to earn income for their families. It is also a place where species of orchids and ornamental plants in southern Thailand are collected for purpose of conservation, research, development, and improvement. the project area serves as a tourist attraction site as well. Professor Rapee Sagarik, a wellknow orchid expert, is the chairperson of the advisory board of the project, working in collaboration with experts in various fields. And experimental cultivation of anthurium is conducted in the project area s a pilot project since the environment is favorable for the species. If the experiment is successful, it will be expanded to other communities.

The Orchid Project at Red Sapphire 06 Village in Si Sa Ket Province was established in 1994. It is also a pilot project for demonstration of orchid cultivation to be promoted to villagers in the village and nearby area.

At present, the Chulabhorn Pattana 5 Orchid Project in Narathiwat is the pioneer for production and market of orchid and anthurium in the lower southern part of Thailand.

In the future, the project will start provide academic service, by serving as a training center for cultivation of orchid and ornamental plants. There is also a plan to collect potential orchid species for academic and commercial purpose.

The Red Sapphire 06 Orchid Project in Si Sa Ket, which operates along the same line, has collected some rare orchid species and cultivated orchid which have market potential. Ornamental plants such as ferns and poinsettia are being propagated and will be introduced to local markets. The project has succeeded to certain degree since it is able to produce orchid and ornamental plants for sale, thereby increasing the villager’s income, expanding the flower market in the area, and making the people make use of flowers for decoration and for other purposes.

The project next plan of operation is to arrange training for the villagers on the cultivation of orchid and ornamental plants. This plan will be extended to nearby area with the project as a center to provide knowledge for another occupation alternative to earn income for the villagers.