On 1 April 2016, Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Assistant of Minister of Foreign Affairs, hosted the working dinner in honor of the high - level executives in 3 regions, namely Latin American and the Caribbean Countries, Asia - Pacific Countries and African Countries as totally 21 countries for 28 participants in order to study visit based on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy under Buakaew Roundtable International Programme in 2016. This occasion was attended with Mr. Panyarak Poolthup, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mr. Vichit Chitvimarn, Ambassador Attached to the Ministry, Mr. Singtong Lapisatepun, Director - General of Department of East Asia, Mrs. Jitkasem Tantasiri, Deputy Director - General of TICA, and relevant agencies at Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre Hotel, Central World.
The programme was held during 28 March - 1 April 2016, which its aim of promoting the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy by sharing Thailand’s best practices and lessons-learned through many study visits as topics as follow:
- For Latin American and Caribbean Countries, “A Study Visit on Sufficiency Economy and Its Application on Community-based Tourism and SMEs” through a study visit in Tourism Management by the local community and One Tumbon One Product Project (OTOP) at Huai Hong Khrai Royal Development Study Center, Ban Mae Kampong, a well-known eco-tourism site, OTOP market distribution center (ceramic and souvenir market) and Baan Tawai (the Village of Handicraft) in Chiang Mai Province.
- For Asia-Pacific Countries, “A Study Visit on Sufficiency Economy and Its Application on Community-based Development and Disaster Preparedness for Climate Change” such as Community Development based on Sufficiency Economy at Baan Saraphi, Samut Songkram Province, the prevention model of coastal erosion at Bang Khun Thien, Bangkok. Moreover, the delegates also visited an ecosystem rehabilitation site which was damaged by Tsunami in 2004 at Khao-Lak Lam Ru National Park, Phang-Nga Province and the Community-based resilience and preparedness for Disaster Prevention at Ban Thung Yee Peng, Koh Lanta, Krabi Province.
- For African Countries, “A Study Visit on Sufficiency Economy and Its Application on Community-based SMEs and Vocational Training” by visiting the areas of SMEs and vocational training. The representatives from African countries visited Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center in Cha Choeng Sao Province, the Xongdur's Organic Food Farm and Neem Extract Production, a fast growing small-sized enterprise in Suphanburi Province, as well as the Bangkok Polytechnic College and Phra Dabos Foundation in Bangkok.
In addition, the delegates had exchanged their views with related local staff and mutual agreed in Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy is the best concept to achieve in sustainable development goal and can be applied in their countries. Also, some countries would like to send their staff for joining training courses / study visit in various fields, namely Mushroom Cultivation, Sustainable Development Tourism, Water Management, Organic Farming and Food Processing, etc.
TICA organized annually on Buakaew Roundtable International Programme, which is a successful activity to strengthen relations with other countries in various regions. This is an opportunity for foreign representatives to meet and create networks in relationships / cooperation with the relevant authority agencies, public and private sectors in Thailand. As well as, to promote further dimension in future cooperation, including to enhance Thailand‘s role in an international forums for sustainable development to developing countries.