Bhumibol Adulyadej, Also Known As Rama IX
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Feature The Life and Work of His Majesty BhumibolKing Adulyadej No one in the history of the Kingdom of Thailand has done so much to improve the well-being of its people as His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, also known as Rama IX. He has initiated literally thousands of development projects that have greatly benefited the country and its people. This is why almost every home, office and public building in Thailand is adorned with portraits of His Majesty and other members of the Royal Family, and this is also true in the homes of Hmong, Karen, Mon, Shan and other minorities along the Thai-Myanmar border. But while every Thai citizen is well aware of His Majesty’s achievements, that might not be the case with some foreigners living in Thailand. This article, written to coincide with His Majesty’s 87th birthday which the whole nation will celebrate on December 5, will surely give them a better understanding of what the King represents to the Thai people and why. Words MAXMILIAN WECHSLER Photographs COURTESY OF THE ROYAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT BOARD 30 TheBigChilli P.30-37_Royal Story.indd 30 12/3/14 6:51 PM The Life and Work of His Majesty TheBigChilli 31 P.30-37_Royal Story.indd 31 12/3/14 6:51 PM “We shall reign with righteousness Nation” and the monarchy has become a rock solid institution, for the benefits and happiness of the ensconced firmly in the hearts of the Thai people. Siamese people.” His Majesty truly deserves to be called the Developer King for his dedication to alleviating the people’s hardships and im- THIS declaration, spoken by His Majesty at his coronation proving their quality of life. ceremony was his first public pledge to promote the welfare of all his subjects. Throughout his 65-year reign he has fulfilled Royal Development Projects this promise to the letter. Early on His Majesty was inspired by the example of his parents to work tirelessly to improve the lives The Royal Development Projects (RDPs) were directly inspired of the Thai people. Although most of his childhood was spent by the insight His Majesty gained while visiting rural areas. He in the West, he was taught to be aware of his roots and his debt realized that any projects that truly improved the lives of the to the motherland. This attitude formed a solid foundation for a people must go hand in hand with protection of the environment deep understanding of Thai society. and sustainable use of natural resources. In the early days of his reign His Majesty made many visits The first initiative to help people was initiated in 1951, to rural areas throughout Thailand. Accompanied by Her Majes- when His Majesty authorized the Department of Fisheries to ty Queen Sirikit, His Majesty visited the least developed areas of acquire Tilapia mosambica fish from Penang through the UN’s Tthe country to see how the people lived. The royal couple trav- Food and Agriculture Organization. The fish were initially raised elled to every part of the country, visiting villagers and learning in the pond at the Ambarra Villa of the Dusit Palace in Bangkok. of their living conditions, problems and needs at first hand. On November 7, 1953, His Majesty distributed the fingerlings to His Majesty would then begin the process of devising village and district leaders throughout the country for propaga- schemes and projects to resolve their troubles and improve their tion and further distribution among the rural people in order to condition. Scenes of His Majesty sitting on the ground or stand- provide them with an alternative source of protein. ing shoulder to shoulder with his subjects, engaged in conversa- The first RDP which directly emphasized rural development tion, became a familiar sight that touched all Thai people. emerged in 1952 when His Majesty donated a number of bulldoz- To His Majesty, the people’s problems are also his, and so ers to the Naresuan Border Patrol Police unit for construction he has never stopped striving to make their lives better. It is of a road leading to Huai Mongkol Village in Hua Hin district of for that reason the people proclaimed their King “Father of the Prachuap Khiri Khan province. This was to enable the villagers 32 TheBigChilli P.30-37_Royal Story.indd 32 12/3/14 6:52 PM to easily commute and transport • Moisture Retention Dams their produce for sale in markets “His Majesty first elaborated To maximize the use of Thailand’s outside the village. his vision of Sufficiency Econo- annual monsoon rains, His Maj- His Majesty never simply esty designed a system of small issues instructions or gives or- my to the Thai people in 1974. “check-dams,” which regulate ders. The impetus always comes the flow of water. The creation of from the local people. Before he At that time few people recog- multiple small reservoirs gives makes any proposal, His Majes- nized its importance, but when farmers immediate benefits and ty first studies the available data also replenishes groundwater. and talks to the people involved. the financial bubble burst in He then consults with officials • Royal Projects and academics before passing 1997, people began to take a In 1969, the King introduced the initiative on to the govern- second look. Now Sufficiency a comprehensive program to ment. All royal development assist northern hill tribe people projects have started in this way. Economy is respected in Thai- engaged in unsustainable His Majesty’s development farming practices. By training projects have brought substan- land and around the world.” the hill tribe communities tial benefits and innovation not in the production of various only to his subjects but to the whole world. Some of the most handicrafts, these programs have raised their income and their important are as follows: prospects, and at the same time have benefited the environment. • Royal Rain Project • Pa Sak Jolasid Dam Project His Majesty is often associated with life-giving rain because of To help the farmers of Thailand’s central plains to exploit fully his pioneering work in cloud seeding techniques. Since 1971, the the waters of the Pa Sak River, His Majesty initiated a develop- methods he developed have been used to bring drought relief to ment project that created a new reservoir for water conservation farmers and to increase water reservoirs, earning international and controlled irrigation. The dam has also helped with flood patents and interest from foreign countries. prevention on the outskirts of Bangkok. TheBigChilli 33 P.30-37_Royal Story.indd 33 12/3/14 6:52 PM Feature • New Theory on Managing Agricultural Land Its simple design and low cost make it easy to build and main- Combining concepts of water management with local control, tain, thus facilitating wide application nationwide. His Majesty developed a strategy that promotes individual household reservoirs over large communal ones, maximizing • The Rama VIII Bridge versatility while minimizing costs. Overall agricultural produc- Always conscious of the daily problems facing Thais, His Majes- tion is boosted without the need for public funds. ty suggested the construction of a new bridge across the Chao Phraya River to alleviate congestion in Phra Nakhon and Dusit • Use of Vetiver to Prevent Soil Erosion districts. Named after his brother, King Ananda Mahidol, Rama To help stop the effects of soil erosion, the King initiated a VIII, the graceful bridge has become a city icon. program to plant certain varieties of vetiver grass, known for its ability to reduce siltation and stabilize soil. The systematic • Pak Phanang Project application of the program has proven effective in maximizing To stem the deterioration of the naturally fertile Pak Phanang productivity and conserving precious water. River basin due to unmanaged population growth, His Majesty N initiated co-operation between government agencies to use more • The Chaipattana Aerator effective agricultural resources, maximize economic gain, and Concerned with the quality of water in the Kingdom, His Majes- reduce harmful environmental practices. ty developed a device that keeps water oxygenated and healthy. • Renewable Energy Office of the Royal Development Project Board Long before the need for renewable biofuels was widely appar- ent, His Majesty was actively researching the resource potential of locally-made palm oil. The resulting biodiesel has become a standard additive in the nation’s fuel, and its local sourcing is an inspiration for ongoing research. Royal Development Study Centers In pursuit of his goal of sustainable development in rural Thailand His Majesty initiated the establishment of six Royal Development Study Centers (RDSCs) throughout the country. In these centers research is carried out to find development strategies suitable to the distinctive conditions of each region. The centers serve as “living natural museums” from which farm- ers can expand and apply their knowledge. The six centers are Khao Hin Sorn in Chachoengsao Interview with the Economic Preparedness Planning Division. We were Suwanna Pasiri of ORDPB involved in many security projects in the border areas, coordinating with the National Security Council and the UWANNA Pasiri is the current Deputy Secretary-Gen- military. At that time the communist party was still influential eral of the Office of the Royal Development Project in some parts of Thailand. We combated their influence by S Board (ORDPB). She has been with the ORDPB since implementing various development projects in the affected its establishment in 1981. The BigChilli talked to Mrs Pasiri areas and we were very successful. Later on, cities and vil- to get her perspective on the Board’s past, present and lages in border areas became free of communist influence. the future activities. Students who fled to the jungles to join the communists Mrs Pasiri first explained how the ORDBP came about.