BANGKOK, Thailand – The Royal Project Foundation is showcasing plant varieties bestowed by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya at the “Royal Project 57″ exhibition, which runs through August 12 at CentralWorld in Bangkok. Held under the theme “The Blooming Legacy of Royal Flora—Continuing, Preserving, and Building Upon Royal Bestowed Plant Varieties from the Highlands to the Cities,” the exhibition features agricultural research and innovation conceived to create new opportunities for Thailand’s highland communities.
Since 2022, Her Royal Highness has bestowed 18 plant species comprising 44 cultivars for conservation, propagation, and further study. The varieties have been cultivated and evaluated at seven royal project sites and are now conserved at the Sirivannavari Botanical Garden Greenhouse at the Angkhang Royal Agricultural Station, which serves as a conservation and learning center.
Priority crops include tomatoes, lavender, raspberries, kidney beans, golden yellow dragon fruit, and wild strawberries. The work includes plant breeding, improved cultivation methods, and value-added products to expand commercial opportunities for highland farmers.
Among the results are new tomato varieties, premium lavender cultivars for essential oil production, and a golden yellow dragon fruit with a sweet flavor, fragrant aroma, and soft edible seeds. The variety was bestowed with the royal name “Princess Sirivannavari Dragon Fruit.” The project also includes products such as matcha tea, rose tea, organically grown roses, and premium caviar, while continuing to study crops including wasabi, vanilla, flax, and artichokes.
The exhibition is organized by the Royal Project Foundation, Kasetsart University, and Central Pattana Public Company Limited. The event also honors His Majesty the King, honorary president of the Royal Project Foundation, Her Majesty the Queen, and the royal celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s fourth cycle, or 48th birthday, on June 3. (NNT)
