- He has done over thousands of projects to increase poor Thai people’s quality of life.
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King’s project
All the Thais have been well aware of and have fully realized that His Majesty the King is the center of love and loyalty of the people from all walks of life. Through the years, His Majesty has devoted His strength, wisdom, time and financial support, as well as worked and taken part in activities for the development of the country and assistance to the deprived. However, the implementation of development projects, at times, faces some restrictions such as budget constraints, procedural problems etc., which therefore disenabled them to consistently serve the needs of the people according to the urgency required. There are a tons of projects happening to help every single poor people in Thailand.
1. Chaipattana project
His Majesty the King initiated the establishment of the Chaipattana Foundation, aiming to help His people through development activities in various forms were help can also be given in other ways that truly benefit the people and that are not affected by time constraint.
The Chaipattana Foundation was officially registered as a juristic entity at the Ministry of Interior under the registration number 3975 on June 14, 1988 and the registration was made public in the Royal Gazette, no. 105, section 109 on July 12, 1988.
Objective
- The objectives of the Chaipattana Foundation are as follows
- To support the implementation of Royally-initiated and other development projects.
- To promote the development of social and economic welfare activities to improve the quality of life of the people and to enable them to become self-reliant.
- To carry out plans or projects that are beneficial to the people and the country as a whole.
- To co-operate with the government sector and other charity organizations for public benefit or to take action that reinforce support of public welfare.
- To carry out activities without political involvement.
2. Royal Rain
In 1955, while flying to visit villagers in the Phuphan Mountains in northeastern Thailand, His Majesty noticed that although there were plenty of heavy clouds along his flight path, they failed to bring rainfall to the parched lands below.
Water scarcity brings extreme hardship to farmers. Population increases and industrial expansion also place great strain on existing water resources.
Analyzing the information and scientific data available, His Majesty made it known to one of his close aides, M.R. Debriddhi Devakul, of his firm intention to search for a way to bring down more rain than that given by nature.
The Royal Rain, or artificial rain, project was thus born. Soon afterwards, an official agency, the Royal Rain Operations Office, was established to assume responsibility for cloud seeding operations.
3. Monkey Cheeks Project(Water Management)
HM the King observed that most monkeys, when they have obtained bananas, will store them in their mouths. They will do this for a whole bunch of bananas or until their cheeks are filled up. Only then they will start to chew and swallow the bananas.
His Majesty has modelled the technique for water detention on the way monkeys eat. His Majesty has asked the Royal Irrigation Department to construct large water detention reservoirs in a ten square kilometer area near the coast, in order to store water from natural water courses and newly-dug canals. New water gates are also to be constructed to release water into the sea during low-tides, while the gates will be closed during high-tides to prevent seas water from flooding the reservoirs and the area.
The full implementation of the Kaem Ling Project needs careful study and planning which takes time, therefore this cannot be achieved in the preliminary stage. However, certain stages of the project can be carried out to alleviate flood problems in the short run.
4. Chang Hua Man Project
- The project site serves as a learning center for farmers and visitors. It has also become an attraction for people to appreciate rural life in Thailand.
- In late 2009, His Majesty the King bought 250 rai, or 100 acres, of land in Tha Yang district, Phetchaburi, with his personal funds in order to build a model farm. This royally initiated project is intended to improve the living conditions of farmers in Phetchaburi and nearby provinces. Originally, the plot of land was unattended and eucalyptus trees were grown there.
-In the model farm, chemical-free economic crops have been planted, with an emphasis on native plants in Phetchaburi, such as coconut, rose apple, lemon, pineapple, rice, and sweet potato. Later, a dairy farm was established to raise cows.
-The project site has a good irrigation management system to store water in a reservoir for cultivation. There is a demonstration of wind power where people can learn about this clean form of energy. Solar cells have also been installed as an alternative energy source.
-Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Thawatchai Arunyik said that visitors to the model farm would learn how His Majesty the King has devoted his time and efforts to help improve the lives of Thai farmers. They would also enjoy the pleasant country atmosphere and taking part in fun activities on the farm.
- The farm is in quite a hilly region of Phetchaburi province and so perfectly located to harness the power of the wind. There is a Golden Place shop where visitors can buy fresh fruit, dairy products, and even rare breeds of local flowers.
Ref: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/king-revisits-chang-hua-man-project-phetchaburi
http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/thai_article/2216_king_projects/king_projects.html
http://kanchanapisek.or.th/kp2/m_stage/activities_e/ling_e/ling2_e.html
Culture
Culture divided into 2 types in term of intangible as follow:
1.) Material culture (concrete) - the material objects.
- Art (material) - any objects or activities in which man expresses feelings and ideas about life by giving them some imaginative form.
2.) Non - material culture (abstract) - the part of culture consisting of various elements, such as norms, values, belief, languages.
Religions (non - material) - system of beliefs and practices relating to sacred things.
Religions has 2 ways to follow
1) The ism –
- God is real for example: Hinduism, Christianity 20 Atheism etc.
- God is not real example: Buddhism.
In Thai Culture, we are mixing between God and no God, depends on each people.
- Not 100 % pure
- Assimilation - mixed with Chinese and Indian
- Languages - ball and Sanskrit
- Invention of Thai alphabets and adoption of Buddhism.
- Animism or Animistic belief. Spiritual power, superstition, and ghost In Sukhothai period, we divided people into 2 categories. 1) Classical Culture (Royal/Court Culture) culture of the King for leaders
- This has the characteristics of complexity, formal style, fined and extensive structures.
We have 2 types of culture as follow :
1. Material culture - commoners did not have rights to construct or build this culture eg. Palace, monastery - under royal patronage.
2. Non-material culture
eg ceremonies, this idea of Brah manisn
1) Royal - Ploughing (Plowing) Ceremony (agriculture day)
2) Giant saving at Wat Suthat
2) Popular Culture - for commoners or ordinary people
- simple, in formal style
- serves the basic needs of people
Thai Art and Festival
1) E-san art - the rocket festival (Bun - Bang fi)
2) Southern part - Nang Talung / monarch Dance
3) Northern part - candle dance, flower festival, Loy Kratong
4) Central part - the masked Dance Drama or Khon (Dancers wear masks representing characters in the story of Ramayana)
The Philosophy of Thai Art
1. Simplicity
- Easy to understand but also has a meaningful insight
- Religious belief - Life is Maya and Karma
2. Spiritual
- Religious work and teaching
- Something that affects people's heart and mind
3. Sincere
- Artists made art sincerely.
- Be honest and communicate directly to audience
4. Symbolic
- Thai artists use simple signs to tell stories
- Chinese (Yin &Yang) / Christian (the cross)