Ubon ratchathani: BAAC has launched an initiative to enhance the agricultural tourism potential of Ban Chi Tuan, aiming to blend local identity with historical, artistic, and cultural narratives to attract tourists from both domestic and international spheres. The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) is advancing its Agro Tourism project with plans to develop 21 agricultural tourism routes across 97 communities nationwide by 2025.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chatchai Sirilai, President of BAAC, emphasized the bank's commitment to developing the grassroots economy with a focus on sustainable banking and rural development. This initiative aligns with BAAC's core agricultural principles by promoting production knowledge, technology, innovation, processing, and marketing. The goal is to enhance commercial capabilities and link business networks for sustainable agricultural development, particularly through the BAAC Agro Tourism project.
The project supports communities with rich local resources, arts, culture, and wisdom, using these as focal points for creating unique agricultural tourism experiences. Ban Chi Tuan, in Khueang Nai District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, serves as a prototype community. It integrates local wisdom, historical sites over 1,000 years old, arts, and culture into its tourism offering. Highlights include Phra Phutthawiset, Khua Noi Ban Chi Tuan, Thammasing Theun Busabok, Wat Si That Charoen Suk, and Wat Phra That Suan Tan. Tourists can engage in activities like practicing Dhamma, traditional rice planting, and learning local crafts, all while staying in nature-friendly homestays.
Ban Chi Tuan also offers quality local products such as organic jasmine rice and bamboo woven products. BAAC has supported the community by planning tourist routes, offering development funds, and enhancing community management and marketing skills. This has enabled the community to become a significant tourist landmark in Ubon Ratchathani Province.
The BAAC Agro Tourism project continues to support over 97 communities nationwide, focusing on developing tourist attractions, enhancing community products, and building sustainable tourism networks. Current tourism routes include Ban On Tai in Chiang Mai, Ban Bang Rong in Phuket, and Ban Sanuan Nok in Buriram, with plans to expand to 21 routes by 2025.
For more information on Ban Chi Tuan, visit https://www.cheethuan.go.th/ or contact the Chee Thuan Subdistrict Administrative Organization. Further details on the BAAC Agro Tourism project can be found on their official channels.