Gplace > Thailand > Narathiwat > Muang Narathiwat > Phikun Thong Development Study Center

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The center was established according to an initiative of His Majesty the King who saw the necessity for a knowledge center for land reform in the area. The center has a complete range of activities such as analyzing and testing plants, livestock care, providing technical know-how and providing agricultural training. Occupying an area of 2,784,000 square meters, the center is divided into office buildings, demonstration plots and testing plots in swamp forest areas.Royal projects include a soil project that adds maximum acidity to paddy soil, then attempts to find a solution so it can be used to counter acidic soil nationwide. Other projects include a new concept in agriculture that is used in areas with an abundant supply of water and planting of oil palm in highly organic soil. A small, fully integrated factory and Prince of Songkhla University jointly produce products from palm oil, like oil extracts, soap and butter that are sold to workers and outsiders. A livestock factory produces animal waste gas wells. There is also a project that plants Zalacca palm to supplement rubber plantations.Furthermore, on weekdays the center operates a training center on making products from Krachut sedge and Annonaceae leaves.People who come here to study also receive considerable enjoyment. This is in accordance with His Majesty the Kings intention that an observation tour should be similar to a picnic in a park. Every September, the center holds an exhibition that coincides with the Narathiwat Products Fair.The center is located between Ban Phikun Thong and Ban Khok Saya in Tambon Kaluwo Nuea, about 1 kilometer from the Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace and 8 kilometers from Narathiwat town on Highway No. 4084 (Narathiwat-Tak Bai).