International Orchid Show

About 54% of all orchids are exported. The most common species, the Violet Orchid, is associated with a welcome gesture from the country’s national airline, Thai Airways International, which gives this particular orchid to thousands of passengers, daily as flights prepare to land in Bangkok.

The Thailand International Orchid Innovative Show is billed as the first major, or full-fledged show, organized in Bangkok offering growers and buyers an opportunity to network and exchange information. Scheduled 24 to 26 July at Hall 8 of the Impact Exhibition Centre, Muang Thong Thani, the show will underscore Thailand’s role as a leader in orchid cultivation and export. Organizers say the event will present the innovation of Thai and foreign orchids. It will also introduce new species and consider the next decade’s research on orchid plantings, flower decorations and the challenges for growers during hosted seminars.

The event’s organizer, Department of Agricultural Extension, expects more than 500 representatives of orchid growing enterprises to attend the show, which will feature both sales and educational components. It also involves the Royal Horticultural Society of Thailand, orchid associations, private sector farms and foreign exhibitors, who will showcase orchid related innovations through the show and seminars. Although there have been shows before, such as the International Orchids 2007 held in Bangkok, this is the first time that all stakeholders in the orchid growing business have shared the same platform. Orchid growing in Thailand has its origins in hobby farms dating back to 1913, when individuals cultivated rare orchids as a pastime, but it was not until 1957 that the Orchids Society of Thailand was formed. Since then orchid farms and exports have flourished mainly in central Thailand. Bangkok and its suburbs emerge as the main location for farms.