Ever since she became the Queen 56 years ago, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit has been a capable assistant to His Majesty King Bhumibol at diplomatic functions. She shares the same concern for the welfare of the people as His Majesty the king, and has initiated several projects of her own, primarily the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupation and Related Techniques (SUPPORT), which was established on 21 July 1976. It aims to help rural families earn additional income by providing financial assistance and expert guidance, at no cost, to craftsmen all over Thailand, such as the weaving of yan lipao baskertry in the far South, hilltribe silver work in the North, and the weaving of mudmee silk fabric in old patterns in the Northeast.
The Queen has also set up two main multi-craft training centres. One is in the compound of Chitralada Palace in Bangkok and the other, built in 1980, is at Bangsai, Ayutthaya Province. The Queen has taken a role in promoting the crafts both through her trips abroad and by using them personally.