The WASWAC Secretariat Delegation members including Prof. Ning Duihu, the deputy director of IRTCES and secretary general of WASWAC, Prof. Niu Chonghuan, the deputy director of soil and water conservation department of MWR, Prof. Liu Guobin, the head of ISWC (CAS&MWR), Prof. Deng Wei, the head of IMHE (CAS), Prof. Li Dingqiang, the head of GIEESS and the councilor of WASWAC, Ms Qiu Dunlian, the director of technological information and communication center in IMHE (CAS), and Ms Tan Rongzhi, the secretary of key laboratory of mountain hazards and earth surface processes of IMHE (CAS), were invited by the Land Development Department (LDD) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand to communicate and investigate during the period of May 21 to May 26, 2012. The delegation members highly appreciate the invitation of the LDD and are thankful to its hospitality throughout the period of their visit.
 
On May 22, the LDD professionals and staff members extended a warm welcome to the guests. Prior to the meeting, Mr. Thavatchai Samrongwatana, the director general, and Mr. Anusorn Chantanaroj, the deputy director general, had met with the delegates respectively. As one of the key topics, the 2nd WASWAC World Conference was discussed in detail. Conference time, venue, topics, sponsors, supporters, registration fees, publications and the organization and arrangement for this important event were discussed one by one. A range of decisions was made after the discussion.. Details will be shown in the first conference announcement to be released by the conference secretariat soon. In addition, through communication, both parties agreed on having the relationship well maintained in a positive, healthy and stable momentum of development as it has been over the recent years, with the mutual efforts from both sides, and hoped to cooperate more closely to push ahead with the 2nd WASWAC World Conference preparation.
 
The delegates were also invited to visit several agencies and institutions related to soil and water conservation, including, (1) Department of Soil Science, Kasetsart University, (2) Department of Water Resources, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, (3) Faculty of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, (4) the Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Centre, and (5) the Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre. During the visit, the delegates communicated with the staff working in these affiliations in the aspects of methods, techniques, models for soil and water conservation research, and the experience of organization and management for researchers in a friendly atmosphere. Through field and laboratory survey, the delegates also learned the overall information on water resources management, extension techniques and higher education of Thailand. Some preliminary cooperation programs for the exchange of visits and student training in each other’s country were also taken up and discussed by both parties.
 
Generally speaking, a series of fruitful achievements has been gained through this visit, which absolutely strengthened the cooperation and boosted confidence between the WASWAC Secretariat and related departments and learned institutions in Thailand. This will be a good example for WASWAC to develop further cooperation and collaboration with other organizations (government agencies, research institutions, universities and consultants in soil and water conservation-related fields) all over the world.
 
 
PS: (1) Dr. Samran Sombatpanit and Mr. Chinapatana Sukvibool are much appreciated by the delegates for the well planned itinerary and their company throughout the visit.. (2) IRTCES- International Research and Training Center on Erosion and Sedimentation; MWR- the Ministry of Water Resources of P.R.China; ISWC- Institute of Soil and Water Conservation; CAS- Chinese Academy of Sciences; IMHE- Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment; GIEESS- Guangdong Institute of Eco-Environmental and Soil Sciences.