Prince Chakraband Pensiri Center
Prince Chakraband Pensiri Center for Plant Development
Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province
History
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously designated the Chaipattana Foundation to establish the Chakraband Pensiri Center for Plant Development in commemoration of the 100th Birthday Anniversary of His Highness Prince Chakraband Pensiri, who was an extinguished scholar in agriculture. The Center’s key objective is to improve and develop plant varieties and high quality seed which can resist diseases and pests. She also requested that the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage be incorporated into this project.
H.H. Prince Chakraband Pensiri was an executive, scholar and agricultural practitioner. He had contributed to agricultural development in Thailand by laying the foundation for traditional agriculture to be developed into sustainable agriculture.
Project Implementation
The Chaipattana Foundation together with the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage decided to set up the Chakraband Pensiri Plant Development Center on the state property in Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province. The area, which measures approximately 220,000 square meters, was humbly presented to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn by the Treasury Department to be utilized in the activities of the Chaipattana Foundation.
In the initial process of the project, Her Royal Highness designated the Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna to collaborate with the Center in the area of planting. The Chaipattana Foundation, together with the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage and the Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, jointly worked to compile all local food plant varieties in order to select the fine ones to be given out to farmers. The good quality of plant varieties are disease-resistant and can adequately generate agricultural produce. Farmers can obtain the selected plant varieties from the center for future proliferation.
Work Plan
The Chakraband Pensiri Plant Development Center is prepared to develop the food plant varieties required for everyday living so farmers can grow the fine plant varieties, if not the best for the market. The plant varieties are adequately developed and selected so they can generate the good quality of produce for local households. This follows the fundamental principle of the project to strengthen and sustain one’s life and family.
Jun Ka Pak
Apart from serving as a center for plant development, the Prince Chakraband Pensiri Center offers visitors a place to relax and enjoy the majestic scenery. Fresh and organic fruits and vegetables grown as part of the project are for sale with reasonable prices. Highlighted is Jun Ka Pak, a restaurant attached to the Center serving Thai and fusion cuisine as well as coffee and other beverages. Exclusively named by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the restaurant helps put the agricultural produce from the Center and the local community on the market and offer pleasurable eating experience.