The Australian Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) Sundowners business networking meeting returns to Phuket tonight at the Thanyapura, Phuket International Academy in Thalang.

Keynote speaker will be Martin Smesters, managing director of Pura Organics, speaking on producing and using organic food products in Thailand.

Pura Organics is a network sources for more than 40 organics suppliers and sources in Thailand. One of its dedicated sources is a farm on the borders of the Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani, 150km north of Phuket.

“Pura Organic Foods buys the entire production of the farm to distribute these products to the resorts, hotels and restaurants in Southern Thailand, mainly Phuket. All these products are transported to Pura Organic Foods Ltd on Phuket two times a week during high season. Pura in turn sells these products and delivers these to the end consumers – resorts, hotels and restaurants in Phuket,” explained Mr Smesters.

Small farmer usually receive help from Pura Organic Foods Ltd as this company keep making effort to be organic despite the fact that they often often pressured by unfair trade practices. The Thai government is trying to stimulate the organic farming sector, but clarity is still a major issue.

“For instance, organic is often replaced with ‘Chemical free’. The term chemical free can’t even be compared to organic farming as it’s a kind of farming which is used all over the world and it refers to using chemicals from the time of seeding until a short period before harvest when the use of chemicals stops,” he said.

Mr Smesters’ one-hour presentation will be followed at 6pm by the regular Sundowners business and social networking session with drinks and snacks. Entry to the Sundowners is 400 baht for AustCham members and 600 baht for non-members. A trip is planned on Saturday to visit the organic farm in Khao Sok if enough people are interested.

News by Phuket Gazette