BANGKOK: The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) is set to host an exhibition featuring award-winning products from nine communities across Thailand, as part of its annual ‘2024 Outstanding Sustainable Happy Community’ contest. The event, scheduled for December 12, 2024, aims to promote grassroots economic sustainability by expanding the Udomsuk community base to 181 additional communities by 2025.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chatchai Sirilai, BAAC President, announced that the event will take place at the 2nd floor lobby of the BAAC Tower Building, Head Office. The nine communities selected for their unique Triple A grade products will showcase items that have won regional awards. These items include herbal daily products from Ban Mai Phatthana Community in Nan Province, fermented mud cloth products from Ban Na Ton Chan Community in Sukhothai Province, and Sam Kloe tea and bamboo woven products from Ban Tham Tiew Community in Sakon Nakhon Province, among others.
The contest’s s
logan, “Eat well, sleep warm, have a good figure, have capital, reduce debt, end suffering,” reflects the comprehensive criteria used by BAAC to determine the winners. Three communities from the nine participating will be awarded monetary support totaling 220,000 baht, based on evaluations of economic, social, cultural, and environmental dimensions, as well as product development and marketing strategies aligned with the BCG Model.
In 2023, BAAC successfully upgraded 181 communities, which saw a 30 percent increase in income, totaling over 214 million baht. The Gross Community Product (GCP) grew by more than 13 percent, and the overall community happiness level was recorded at an average of 4.63. For 2024, BAAC aims to continue this growth trajectory by further enhancing community development nationwide.