Minister defends B200m promotion budget for plant expo - Bangkok Post

A bird’s eye view of the Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026 site in Muang district of the northeastern province. The event will open on Nov 1 and run until March 14 next year. (Photo: Department of Agriculture) Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Watcharaphon Khaokham has defended a request for more than 200 million baht in additional publicity funding for the Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026, citing economic and social benefits.

Speaking at Government House on Tuesday, he said the International Association of Horticultural Producers had recommended the increase after inspecting the site in 2025 and finding the government-approved budget to be insufficient.

Although he does not oversee the Department of Agriculture, Mr Watcharaphon said preliminary information showed organisers had discussed and agreed on the need for additional funding to support publicity activities.

The expo will be held from Nov 1 to March 14 across nearly 2,000 rai of wetland, with 60-70% of the area covered by water.

The minister said assessments by the Board of Trade, the Federation of Thai Industries and the private sector projected three million visitors, more than 20 billion baht in economic circulation and over 80,000 jobs that would be created.

As an Udon Thani native and MP, he said he wanted provincial communities to have opportunities to benefit from development.

He said the expo site would provide a new “green lung” for the province, an agricultural learning centre for students and opportunities for farmers to explore new technologies.

It will also feature architectural structures and photographic exhibitions depicting northeastern life, which Mr Watcharaphon said would bring about social change.

Held under the theme “Diversity of Life”, the event will showcase 32 gardens from 17 countries, alongside plant competitions, agricultural innovation exhibitions and displays by public and private organisations.

Provincial officials have reported construction is nearly complete, with a final inspection of the site and systems scheduled for Friday.

The cabinet will hold a mobile meeting next Monday and Tuesday in Udon Thani. Proposals on the agenda include establishing Udon Thani University, expanding the provincial sports stadium and developing the city’s second ring road.

The cabinet will focus mainly on agriculture, security and drug-related problems, which Mr Watcharaphon said were priorities for the prime minister.