Bangkok--17 Oct--SET The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Foundation has recognized the Inpang Community Network for its outstanding work in rural development, with the Mechai Viravaidya Award. The group has been a strong crusader for social development in Thailand’s five northeastern provinces for more than 20 years. Today’s grant is one of six that the SET Foundation gives to individuals or groups that have made an outstanding contribution to society. The Foundation aims to encourage community and sustainable development. The Inpang Community Network has been selected by the Population and Community Development Association (PDA) to receive the Mechai Viravaidya Award. Awards, such as this one, are a source of pride and moral support for hard-working organizations, like the Inpang Community Network and motivate others to benefit society, SET Executive Vice President and Foundation board member Ms. Nongram Wongwanich said. The Network is based on a cluster of villages on Phu Phan mountain range and is currently led by Mr. Serm Udom-na. The organization has village members in Sakorn Nakorn, Kalasin, Udon Thani, Mukdaharn and Nakorn Panom. The group’s projects are characterized by sustainable community development, self-reliance and the use of indigenous knowledge. Their major project enables farmers and their families to transform part or all of their farms from single-product cash crops to multi-product agro-forestry systems. Inpang farmers have established seedling nurseries which provide a great variety of trees that can be used for a range of products and purposes. This both raises their standard of living and compensates for deforestation. In addition to transforming their farming systems, the group produces high-quality natural-based goods, e.g., bio-fertilizer, wine, local fruit juice and herbal products. They have established the Inpang Community Learning Center to provide ongoing life-education for local people. The center has attracted more than 5,000 visitors from Thailand and overseas per year. The SET Foundation’s social recognition project covers six fields - education, urban social development, rural society development, music, sports and library development - and, to date, has honored awardees in two areas. In library development, the Foundation acknowledged Professor Khun Ying Manmas Chavalit and, in urban social development, Mrs. Uthit Buddhasud Somjai received the award. For more information, please contact the Corporate Communications Dept.: Ladawan Kantawong Tel: 0-2229-2036 / Sarinluck Jitkawong Tel: 0-2229-2037 / Nattaporn Boonprapa Tel: 0-2229-2049 / Watsamon Saowakhonsathien Tel: 0-2229-2797