Thailand marks World Soil Day with tributes to His Majesty

The event, held at Land Development Department in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, was part of a global launch of the World Soil Day and the United Nation’s designated International Year of Soils in 2015.

“On this occasion, we aim to raise awareness about His Majesty’s efforts in relation to soil, the importance of soil resources, solutions to degradation of soil and the need to take greater care through appropriate management of this national resource,” Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Peetipong Phuengbun na Ayutthaya said.

Other celebrations of World Soil Day and the launch of International Year of Soils 2015 will take place at the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) headquarters in Rome, as well as at the UN Headquarters in New York and other cities around the world. HRH Princess Bajra Kitiyabha will take part in the New York ceremony, delivering a statement on His Majesty’s behalf.

At the opening of the Bangkok event on Wednesday, FAO’s assistant director-general and regional representative for Asia-Pacific, Hiroyuki Konuma, delivered a statement on behalf of FAO director-general Jose Graziano da Silva, underlining the importance of advocacy for sustainable management of soil. 

“We recall with gratitude the King’s untiring personal commitment to the cause of soil, not only within this country but also internationally,” he said.