A delegation from Lao P.D.R.- consisting of Dr. Somnuck THIRARASACK, Dep. Dir. Gen. National Agriculture and Forestry Extension Service (NAFES), Mr. Bounphavanh KANYAVONG Vice Head of Extension Division (NAFES), Mr. Viengxay Photakoun Technician (NAFES), Mr. Viengxay SIPAPHONE Head of Extension Section (Champasack PAFO). Mr. Somchit BOUNLEUANE Head of Rural Credit (Naxaythong District), Miss. Phoukham Xaypanya Manager of  Handicraft Coop. Ban Phonetong and Mr. Khammoun Xaymany Head of Rice Seed Farmers followed an invitation of the Hanns Seidel Foundation to study the organizational structures of different cooperatives in Thailand. NAFES, affiliated to the Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture in Vientiane, is instrumental in setting up cooperatives in rural areas especially.

The visitors from Lao P.D.R. collected a lot of useful information on the 96 years of development of the Cooperative Foundation, its strength, obstacle and contribution to the economic development in Thailand. The program included visits of the Cooperative Promotion and Cooperative Auditing Department, which are operating separately and smoothly within the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative that still doesn’t exist in the Laos. Beside these two departments, the delegation also visited the Cooperative League of Thailand, which works together with CAD and CPD. To make this study tour complete, the delegation visited some of Thailand’s outstanding cooperatives in agricultural section at Ban Bueng and Banglamung.

During this visit the delegation also had the opportunity to discuss and exchange views directly with Thai Cooperative members concerning: The Cooperative Administration, Planning, Implementation, Monitoring, Evaluation, Benefit sharing, Crediting, Auditing and Social Welfare of the cooperative members. All these parameters would be very useful for the Lao Cooperative Leaders to apply them for Lao PDR.