On September 24–25, 2026, the Thai Orchid Exporters Association, in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Extension and other organizations involved in Thailand’s orchid industry, organized a training program entitled “Cut Orchid Competition Judging” at the Thai Orchid Entrepreneurs Cooperative Ltd., Krathum Baen District, Samut Sakhon Province. The program aimed to enhance knowledge and skills in orchid judging while raising the standards of cut orchid judges, enabling them to perform their duties effectively, fairly, transparently, and according to consistent standards.
The training program was organized through cooperation among key organizations in Thailand’s orchid industry, including the Department of Agricultural Extension, Thai Orchid Exporters Association, Thai Orchid Growers Association, Thai Orchid Entrepreneurs Cooperative Ltd., The Botanical Society of Thailand under Royal Patronage, and The Orchid Society of Thailand under Royal Patronage. The organizations jointly developed the curriculum and judging guidelines to strengthen knowledge of competition criteria, judges’ professional ethics, and clear and consistent judging standards.
The training program consisted of two key components:
1. Theoretical Session
The session covered judges’ professional ethics, competition criteria, classification and flower forms, flower size, judging criteria and scoring, as well as the application of these criteria in actual judging situations. The sessions were supported by experts, specialists, and representatives from both the public and private sectors, with opportunities for participants to exchange knowledge and experience with orchid growers.
2. Practical Session
The practical session involved simulated judging situations, allowing participants to gain hands-on experience from evaluating orchid characteristics through to assigning scores according to the established criteria. The training covered Dendrobium, Aranda, Vanda, and other orchid genera.
This training marked the first time in Thailand that a cut orchid competition judging curriculum was jointly developed in a systematic manner. It represents an important step toward establishing and raising the standards of cut orchid judges and ensuring a consistent approach to judging.
The initiative also serves as preparation for orchid competition activities at the Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026. It further contributes to the development of professional capabilities within Thailand’s orchid industry, with the aim of raising competition standards and supporting the continued growth and sustainable development of Thailand’s orchid sector.
The Thai Orchid Exporters Association, in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Extension and other relevant organizations, organized Thailand’s first “Cut Orchid Competition Judging” training program to enhance knowledge and raise the standards of orchid judges through a consistent judging approach, while preparing for orchid competition activities at the Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026.