On 17 January 2025, Mrs. Pimwadee Sovaratanapong, Deputy Director-General, Acting Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), officially handed over the Project “Thailand – Seychelles Cooperation in Horticulture”, along with Thai orchids supported by the Botanical Garden Organization of Thailand (BGO), to the Seychelles National Botanical Garden (SPGA). The ceremony was attended by Mr. Allen Cedras, CEO of SPGA; Lt. Sorawud Preededilok, Minister attached to TICA; Mr. Piyakaset Suksathan, Acting Deputy Director (Academic) of BGO; Mrs. Chachsaran Lertkiattiwong, Director of International Development Cooperation Division of TICA; and other relevant officials from both sides.

The project “Thailand – Seychelles Cooperation in Horticulture” aims to exchange knowledge and best practices in botany to enhance the botanical capacity and expertise of Seychelles. Activities under the project were implemented in various forms, including study visits, expert exchanges for sharing knowledge and best practices, and short-term training programs in areas such as Biodiversity Conservation, Living Collection Management, and Tissue Culture and In Vitro Lab Techniques. This cooperation contributes to the sustainable conservation of biodiversity, plant species, and ecosystems. It also fosters closer ties between Thailand and Seychelles through technical cooperation and South-South cooperation, aligning with the sustainable development goals (SDG).

During the handover, both sides reviewed the outcomes of completed activities and discussed further cooperation. The handover of the Thai orchids also marks a key component of the Thai Garden development initiative at SPGA, further strengthening the partnership between the two nations through the beauty and symbolism of shared horticultural heritage.