Dr. Suyanee Vessabutr, director of Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden of Thailand, headed up a 4-people delegation to XTBG during August 24-26. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two sides. According to the MoU, XTBG and Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden agree to join efforts oriented to increase scientific technical cooperation and to enhance capacity building. Cooperation between the two sides will be implemented through reciprocal visits, education, training, resources exchange, joint research programs, academic meetings, etc. The agreement will be valid for a period of five years. About Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden was established in 1993 by the Botanic Gardens Organization of Thailand. It is situated in the Mae Sa area about 20km from Chiang Mai at the foothills of the Doi Suthep/Pui Mountain. The gardens cover an area of 1000 hectares. The main objectives of the garden are to serve as a center of Thai flora for botanical study and research, to render services concerning biodiversity and environmental conservation, as well as an aesthetic place for the general public. The garden is designed and constructed to best exhibit plants by species type and climate requirements. 
A discussion meeting between the two sides 
Dr. Chen Jin and Dr.Suyanee Vessabutr (right front) shaking hands after signing MoU 
Dr.Piyakaset Suksathan posing a photo with the speciman he identified |
