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-2- Table of Contents Introduction and General Information Programme for the Visit Site Information Medical Support and Security Hotel Information Weather
-1- Introduction Since 2002, the Department of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has organised a Study Visit for the Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Consular Representatives and their spouses as our annual flagship project to present the Diplomatic Corps with an opportunity to have a first-hand experience on how the royally-initiated projects and the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) advocated by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great has been beneficial and helped uplift the sustainable livelihoods of local communities across Thailand. On global level, the Study Visit also underscores Thailand’s commitment towards green growth and low carbon society. To commemorate the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King’s 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary on 28th July 2024, the Study Visit to Chiang Rai province from 19 - 21 February 2024 aims to showcase His Majesty the King’s royal works to continue, preserve, and build upon His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great’s royal legacy to utilise the SEP as a compass towards balanced and people-centered development. The Study Visit to Chiang Rai province also highlights Thailand’s successful efforts in applying the SEP as a transformative and area-based approach to realise the United Nations’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Besides, the Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Consular Representatives, and their spouses will acknowledge Thailand’s strong commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050, in particular, Thailand’s ongoing efforts to foster partnership at all levels, be they public and private sectors as well as local communities, to preserve the ecosystem and mitigate the effects of climate change through “Carbon Credit for Sustainable Devlopment” pathway. Introduction and General Information
-2- On the first day of the programme, the Heads of the Diplomatic Missions and Consular Representatives and their spouses will have a first-hand experience on a sustainable agricultural development model based on the SEP and the New Theory at the Quality of Life Development Learning Center, “Khok Nong Na Pattana Chumchon or Khok Nong Na advancing community”. The Center serves as a concrete example of a successful implementation of underlying concepts from the 904 Royal Volunteers Training Centre, where the Heads of the Diplomatic Missions and Consular Representatives and their spouses took a half day field visit in August 2023, can be applied into a practical and simple integrated farming and self-reliant community. A site visit to the “Carbon Credit from Community Forests for Sustainability Project” will illustrate the Royal Thai Government's ambitious plan to promote climate resilient future while demonstrating how the royal development projects have engaged local communities in a sustainable forest protection and management policy.
-3- On the second day, the Heads of the Diplomatic Missions and Consular Representatives and their spouses will visit the “Doi Tung Development Project, Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage”, where participants will witness how a people-centric royal development approach has improved the well-being of local communities and promoted inclusive growth. The arrays of the Foundation’s alternative development work also serves as a laudable example of Thailand’s commitment to promote human development for all walks of life. As Chiang Rai province has been recognised by the UNESCO as a “City of Design” under the UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture have jointly organised a visit to “Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023 Exhibition: The Open World”, where participants will immerse themselves in contemporary arts created by Thai and international artists from the Mekong region to the Amazon and beyond, who are gathered in Chiang Rai province to collaborate in exhibiting artworks. Participants will also get to learn about intertwined culture and translocalism which have shaped Chiang Rai’s unique history.
-4- Tentative Programme A Study Visit for the Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Consular Representatives in Bangkok and Spouses: Open the World, Embrace Multiculture, and Enhance Local Community Development towards Green Growth and Sustainability at Chiang Rai Province 19 - 21 February 2024 * * * * * Monday 19 February 2024 (Bangkok - Chiang Rai) 06.30 hrs. - Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Consular Representatives and spouses arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Dress Code: Smart casual in yellow-tone with walking shoes. Participants may bring sunglasses, hat or umbrella and UV-protection lotion for outdoor activity. - Registration and check-in Remarks: 1. To mitigate risk of COVID-19, participants are kindly requested to take a Rapid Covid Antigen self-test (ATK) in the morning and present proof of negative ATK test result upon check in at the airport. 2. Please bring passport or diplomatic identification card for check-in. 08.10 hrs. - Depart for Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport, Chiang Rai Province by Thai Airways flight TG130. 09.40 hrs. - Arrive at Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport. - Welcoming Party 1. Mr. Thanarat Chongsuttamanee, Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs 2. Mr. Phutthiphong Sirimat, Governor of Chiang Rai province, and spouse. 10.00 hrs. -Depart for the Learning Center for Improving Quality of Life: “Khok Nong Na Model” by coaches. Programme for the Visit
-5- 10.20 hrs. -Arrive at the Learning Center. -Video presentation on background and main objectives of the “Khok Nong Na Model” Project. -Briefing on background and main objectives of the “Food Waste Segregation” and “Local Waste Bank” Project by the Department of Local Administration, Ministry of Interior. -Visit the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy Village by trams. Remarks: Participants will be divided into three groups during the site visit. 12.00 hrs. - Depart for Singha Park. 12.20 hrs. - Arrive at Singha Park and take a tram ride to Phupirom Restaurant. 12.30 hrs. - Welcome Luncheon hosted by Mr. Phutthiphong Sirimat, Governor of Chiang Rai Province, and spouse. Venue: Phupirom Restaurant, Singha Park. Remarks: Food will be served in a sharing set menu. 14.00 hrs. - Depart for Baan Rong Bon community, Muangkhum Sub-district, Phan District, Chiang Rai Province by coaches. 14.30 hrs. - Arrive at Baan Rong Bon community. - Briefing on background and main objectives of a “Carbon Credit for Sustainable Development” Project. - Site visit. Remarks: Participants will be divided into three groups for a briefing session and site visit. 16.00 hrs. - Depart for Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort, Mueang District, Chiang Rai Province. 17.00 hrs. - Arrive at the Resort. 18.30 hrs. - Buffet Dinner. Venue: Sukkaseam Deck, Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort -Overnight at the Resort.
-6- Tuesday 20 February 2024 Morning - Breakfast. Venue: The Latest Recipe Restaurant, 1st Floor Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort. 08.30 hrs. - Depart for “Doi Tung Development Project, Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage” Mae Fah Luang District, Chiang Rai Province by vans. Dress Code: Smart casual with walking shoes. Participants may bring sunglasses, hat or umbrella and UV-protection lotion for outdoor activity. 09.30 hrs. - Arrive at “Doi Tung Development Project, Mae Fah Luang Foundation under the Royal Patronage”. 09.30 - 10.15 hrs. - Briefing on background of the Doi Tung’s Sustainable Alternative Livelihood Development Project for Sustainable livelihood Project of Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage by M.L. Dispanadda Diskul, Chief Executive Officer. 10.15 - 11.15 hrs. - Exchange views with local community representatives on how the development projects help them to become self-reliant - Depart for Leelawadee Pavilion, Doi Tung Development Project. 11.30 hrs. - Arrive at Leelawadee Pavilion. - Observe and participate in capacity-building workshops under Doi Tung’s Sustainable Alternative Livelihood Development Project. Remarks: Snacks and drink will be available during the workshop. 12.00 - 13.30 hrs.- Buffet Luncheon. Venue: Leelawadee Pavilion Remarks: There will be a traditional dancing performance by local youths during the luncheon. 13.30 - 13.40 hrs.- Depart for Mae Fah Luang Garden.
-7- 13.40 - 14.00 hrs.- Garden tour. - Group photo. Venue: In front of the Continuity Statue 14.00 hrs. - Depart for Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort. 15.00 hrs. - Arrive at the Resort. - At leisure. 16.45 hrs. - Briefing on background and main objectives of “Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023” by the Ministry of Culture. Venue: Uthopia Room, 1st Floor, Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort. 17.15 hrs. - Depart for Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park, Mueang District, Chiang Rai Province. 17.30 hrs. - Arrive at Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park. 17.40 - 19.30 hrs.- Viewing of Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023 Exhibition. Remarks: Participants will be divided into three groups. 19.30 hrs. -Welcome Dinner (Kad Mua) hosted byH.E. Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and spouse, or representative. Dress Code: Smart Casual in northern Thai Lanna style. Remarks:1. The dinner will be arranged in a traditional northern Lanna buffet (Kad Mua). 2. There will be cultural performances and mini fashion show organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand during the dinner. 3. There will be a wide range of One Tambon One Products(OTOP) on display and on sale at the dinner arranged by the Department of Community Development, Ministry of Interior. 21.00 hrs. - Depart for Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort. 21.15 hrs. - Arrive at the Resort. - Overnight at the Resort.
-8- Wednesday 21 February 2024 (Chiang Rai - Bangkok) Morning - Breakfast. Venue: The Latest Recipe Restaurant, 1st Floor, Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort. Dress Code: Smart Casual - Check out. Remarks: 1. Please leave check-in luggages in front of your room by 09.00 hrs. together with completed luggage deposit form. The Protocol staff will collect all check-in luggages for advance check in at the airport. 2. Please return key cards at the reception desk and clear all extra expenses with the hotel upon check out. 09.30 hrs. - Depart for Chiang Rai International Art Museum (CIAM)by coaches. 10.00 hrs. - Arrive at the CIAM. - Greeted by H.E. Mr. Sermsak Pongpanit, Minister of Culture - Visit Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023 Exhibition: “The Open World” Remarks: Participants will be divided into three groups. - Group photo. 11.30 hrs. - Depart for Phuphan Restaurant. 12.00 hrs. - Luncheon hosted by H.E. Mr. Sermsak Pongpanit, Minister of Culture. Venue: Phuphan Restaurant Remarks: There will be cultural performances during the luncheon. 13.30 hrs. - Depart for Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport. 13.45 hrs. - Arrive at Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport. - At leisure at the VIP Lounge. 14.25 hrs. - Depart for Suvarnabhumi Airport by Thai Airways flight TG133. 15.50 hrs. - Arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport. ************ Protocol Division Department of Protocol Chiang Ra
-9- History Chiang Rai is the northernmost province of Thailand which is a significant city that has been discovered in historical record back to more than two millennials years ago. From the first day establishing “Yo Nok Nak Na Khon” kingdom (the most ancient kingdom of northern area being found), its culture has deep-rooted and shaped way of Lanna these days. References: https://chiangmaipress.com/2022/04/21/เมืองโบราณเชียงแสน-ศูนย/ https://www.chiangmainews.co.th/page/archives/958578 Chiang Rai Province
-10- Lanna Culture Lanna is the name of a kingdom that contains millions (Lan in Thai) of paddy fields (Na) which is the outstanding property describing community’s livelihood. Lanna culture is very unique, especially their local food, Nam Prik Num (Green mild chili paste), and Khao Soi (Noodle in coconut milk soup), etc. Participants will be able to enjoy local food prepared throughout the trip. Lanna culture is also reflected through its arts, architecture, music, dance, and textiles. References: https://www.museumthailand.com/th/1234/storytelling/วัดพระสิงห์/ https://www.mcot.net/view/dCDmnUon https://images.app.goo.gl/KBd5xikC6kgPuR2q9 https://www.artculture4health.com/contents/view/3016
-11- Chiang Rai Nowadays Chiang Rai is the province of Thailand filled with the atmosphere of a complex mountain range and valuable Lanna Culture. The province offers many interesting cultural attractions in history. Chiang Rai province has various travel destination such as Doi Tung, Mae Kok River, Singha Park, Chiang Rai walking street, etc. References: https://thai.tourismthailand.org/Destinations/Provinces http://www.openbase.in.th/node/6405 http://123.242.164.131/cpwp/?page_id=60 https://www.tourismthailand.org/Articles/10-things-to-do-in-chiang -rai For more information about Chiang Rai province, please scan QR code.
-12- Learning Center for Improving Quality of Life Based on the New Theory or “Khok Nong Na Model” (CLM) “Khok Nong Na Model” is the practical demonstrated area of applying the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) and the New Theory to the actual local communities under the Ministry of Interior, “Khok Nong Na Model” at Doi Inthri, Chiang Rai province is one of the successful adaptations of the ideas to the field benefitting people and society a good livelihood. “Khok Nong Na Model” at Doi Inthri is leaded by monk who is well respected from locals to gather people in near communities for dedicating effort on restoration of soil, water, and forests, also, develop sustainable self-reliant life to ongoing operations in the future will be able to generate income. This area contains land management demonstration, and village which its households together devote themselves follow the model. The community has been contributing to enlarge green areas through various projects such as “Plook Pa Nai Chai Khon (Planting Forests in the People's Hearts), “Pa Ni Mi Phon Phu Khon Rak Kan”,” and “Din Lok Khon Yu Ruam Kap Pa” providing a sustainable source of water for drinking, domestic use, and agriculture, also creating a unity among people and communities through development volunteer activities. Reference: https://chiangrai.cdd.go.th/ “Khok Nong Na Model” at Doi Inthri
-13- Moreover, at Doi Inthri, application of “Waste Segregation reducing global warming” and “Waste Bank” project are implemented with desire to organize roundly a livelihood cycle. The projects aim to separate waste and collect into bin specially for fermentation, also, decreasing amount of garbage to waste, and linking register with Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization) (TGO) as one of the members of Carbon Credit project afterward. Furthermore, “Waste Segregation reducing global warming” and “Waste Bank” project have done workshop with the United Nations (UN) in Thailand, led by Mrs. Gita Sabharwal, UN Resident Coordinate in Thailand. References: Ministry of Interior’s Summary Document on the success of “Khok Nong Na Model” https://chiangrai.cdd.go.th/
-14- “Carbon Credit for Sustainable Development” Project, Baan Rong Bon Community. Baan Rong Bon Community is one of the demonstrated areas of applying Carbon Credit in local field. Back then, Baan Rong Bon Community had faced a forest fire several times a year and caused a deforestation, the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage and local people, therefore, actively participated in the project. Power of unity is a key to prevent forest fire that had occurred for a long time. This project is under the Foundation which being involve from the very first page, encourage people’s awareness to preserve land and forest in their hometown to transforming their effort to an income from selling Carbon Credit. References: Green House Gases Mitigation Mechanism’s website https://www.maefahluang.org/domestic-program-08/ Baan Rong Bon Community
-15- Doi Tung’s Sustainable Alternative Livelihood Development Project for Sustainable livelihood Project of Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra initially founded the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage in 1969 as the Thai Hill Crafts Foundation, to aid the hill communities by marketing their traditional crafts and later to support the education of more than 400 ethnic minority youth. As the foundation’s work shifted away from marketing of hill crafts and into much broader economic and social development for both hill communities and low-land Thais, it was renamed in 1985 as the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother. A major development effort of the Foundation started in 1987 in the border area of Doi Tung in Chiang Rai, where a comprehensive program was initiated to improve the economic and social life of the people in this remote region, as well as to revive the environment and conserve local arts and traditions of the diverse ethnic mix in the area. The foundation continued work in other areas, in education and in the promotion of local arts and culture. After the Princess Mother passed away in 1995, His Majesty King Maha Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great took the Foundation under his patronage and appointed his daughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha ChakriSirindhorn, as honorary President. The Foundation’s mandate is to continue the legacy of the Princess Mother to benefit as many people as possible and to inspire new generations to be responsible citizens. Reference: https://www.maefahluang.org/ Doi Tung
-16- The Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC), Ministry of Culture of Thailand, has undertaken a national initiative of organizing an international contemporary art exhibition in the form of a biennial under the name “Thailand Biennale”. Unlike most biennials in the world, what is unique to Thailand Biennale is the alteration of provinces in Thailand to host each edition. The host cities of the first three editions, namely Krabi (2018), Nakhon Ratchasima or Korat (2021), and Chiang Rai (2023), were chosen because of their potential as the pioneers of the Ministry of Culture’s “Art City” campaign. The third edition of the Thailand Biennale is currently hosted in Chiang Rai province, under the theme “The Open World”. Artistic directors Rirkrit Tiravanija and Gridthiya Gaweewong, with curators Angkrit Ajchariyasophon and Manuporn Luengaram, will collaborate in exhibiting works from Thai and international artists from the Mekong region to the Amazon and beyond. The works address topical issues such as history, cultural diversity, and nature and ecology, and will be displayed across key venues in Chiang Rai such as art galleries, exhibition halls, museums, temples, and historic sites. Reference: https://www.thailandbiennale.org/en/about/about-us/ Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023: “The Open World”
-17- Medical Support and Security Chiang Rai province will arrange a medical team and police security officers to accompany the Heads of the Diplomatic Missions and Consular Representatives during the trip, as well as on standby overnight at the Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort. Medical Support and Security
-18- Accommodation The Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort is situated on the banks of the majestic Kok River, and close to the city's most compelling attractions. Address: 221 / 2 Moo 20 Kwaewai Road, Tambon Robwieng, Amphur Muang, Chiang Rai province, 57000 Telephone number: 085 360 3333 Breakfast room: Latest Recipe Restaurant, 1st Floor, Main Building Wifi connection: Please see password on the key card’s envelope Reference: The Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort’s website Hotel Information
-19- Weather Forecast Participants will enjoy a pleasant weather during the trip. Average temperature will range between 12-30 Celsius with sunny sky. Reference: AccuWeather’s website Hotel Information
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