Rating: 3.8/5 (5 votes)

Operating day: Daily

Operating time: 08.30 - 16.30

 

Agricultural Development Promotion Center The Chanthaburi Agricultural Development Promotion Center, also known as the “Bee Center Chanthaburi,” is an agricultural tourism and learning destination that specializes in the rearing of economically important insects. The center focuses on breeding honeybees, cavity-nesting bees, stingless bees, and crickets, as well as processing products derived from honey and stingless bees. It serves as a practical learning hub following the principles of a sufficiency economy, offering knowledge on oyster mushroom cultivation, log-based mushroom farming, safe vegetable planting in containers, and intensive lemon cutting propagation. Visitors can explore and learn from the center any day of the week, experiencing authentic bee-keeping and sustainable agricultural practices.

 

The center’s establishment traces back to the Department of Agricultural Extension’s initiative in 1980, which set up a division for bee promotion and conservation within the pest control and prevention sector. Initially, training programs on bee breeding were conducted for staff at Kasetsart University, Bangkhen, Bangkok. Staff members were also sent to study and observe bee-keeping practices in Israel and other countries to bring back knowledge for local application. By 1981, the pest control units had begun research, testing, breeding, and propagation of bees and established regional bee conservation and breeding centers in five provinces: Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Phitsanulok, Chanthaburi, and Chumphon. Temporary offices were located within the provincial pest control units while nationwide staff continued research and implementation of bee-keeping practices.

 

During 1983–1984, the government allocated 3,317,530 baht from the Farmers’ Welfare Fund to the Department of Agricultural Extension to support the bee-breeding promotion project through the five centers. Subsequently, the centers were renamed the “Agricultural Development Promotion Centers (Bees).” The Chanthaburi center evolved into a key agency under the Department of Agricultural Extension, with a mandate to provide knowledge and services related to bees and other beneficial insects, aiming to increase agricultural productivity without expanding farmland and to enhance household income through product sales and processing.

 

In 2014, the Department of Agricultural Extension reorganized the internal structure of the centers to better meet local needs and provide comprehensive agricultural services. The Chanthaburi center became an interdisciplinary hub, consolidating expertise from various agricultural fields to serve farmers, government agencies, the public, and anyone interested in sustainable farming. In addition to bee and stingless bee rearing, the center offers oyster mushroom cultivation, lemon propagation, and safe vegetable farming practices.

 

The Bee Center Chanthaburi stands out not only as an agricultural development facility but also as a prominent destination for agricultural tourism. Visitors can experience bee-keeping firsthand, learn about pollination, stingless bee farming for commerce, honey and bee product processing, and cricket rearing as a source of supplementary income. It provides an educational environment for all ages, allowing students, farmers, and the public to gain deep insights into sustainable agriculture and the value of natural resources.

 

Moreover, the center implements various community-strengthening projects, such as promoting lemon cultivation, mushroom farming for supplemental income, and producing safe vegetables for household consumption. These initiatives reflect the philosophy of self-reliance and sustainable community-based economy.

 

Today, the Chanthaburi Agricultural Development Promotion Center is recognized as a leading hub for bee-keeping and economically valuable insects in Eastern Thailand. It functions as both a knowledge center and an agricultural tourism destination, inspiring visitors from all walks of life. Tourists, farmers, and enthusiasts can visit daily to gain practical experience in bee-keeping and learn about the sustainable use of beneficial insects—an opportunity rarely found elsewhere.