PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, THAILAND — On May 26, 2025, the Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province met with members of the Ao Noi Royal Rice Mill Agricultural Cooperative to review development plans and gather feedback from the cooperative’s members. The meeting aimed to align the cooperative’s strategic direction with member needs and ensure sustainable operations.
The event took place at 1:30 p.m. at the cooperative’s headquarters in Ao Noi Subdistrict, Mueang District. The discussion focused on four key development areas: business operations involving the procurement and sale of goods, financial services through lending activities, organizational capacity building, and career development initiatives for members.
The Ao Noi Royal Rice Mill Agricultural Cooperative has a longstanding history rooted in a royal initiative. On May 27, 1981, King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, along with Queen Sirikit and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, visited the Prachuap Khiri Khan Self-Development Settlement. During the visit, a rice mill with a 45-horsepower engine, capable of processing 16 tons of rice per day and valued at 750,000 baht, was donated to the local community. The donation was facilitated by Mr. Wirat Tanjindaprateep, owner and manager of the Isan Miller Company in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Local farmers, cooperative members, and area residents contributed 800,000 baht to build a rice storage facility capable of holding 300 tons of paddy rice. The land for the mill, approximately three rai, was donated by Ms. Jiaranai Phosuea. The facility was inaugurated the same day. In 2015, an additional three rai of land was donated by Mr. Teeranan Bua-phet, expanding the cooperative’s current area to six rai. The cooperative was officially registered on May 27, 1981, and continues to operate today as a center for community-based agricultural development.
In addition to Governor Sitthichai Sawatsan, the meeting was attended by Deputy Governor Sinat Oh-iem, Provincial Cooperative Officer Prayoon Phama, government department heads, the cooperative’s board of directors, and its members.
