His Majesty the King therefore instructed staff of his royally initiated palm oil promotion project to extract and refine palm oil for the production of biodiesel. The operation started as a community-based project at the Pikul Thong Development and Study Center in Narathiwat province, where the center has been processing palm oil into many products, including some for consumers. Originally it promoted palm oil extraction at the household level, but in 2000, when His Majesty the King recommended that palm oil be used to fuel agricultural machines, it was also used in tractors at the center. The introduction proved to be successful on all fronts, as biodiesel does not pose an ignition problem, engines do not give off many fumes, the exhaust does not smell bad, and acceleration is normal. Also, biodiesel is compatible with most diesel-fueled engines without a tune-up. And along with reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, it makes engines more durable because it better lubricates them.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn soon began to encourage coastal fishermen in Narathiwat province to fuel their small boats with biodiesel from the Pikul Thong Development and Study Center. Initially, participants were fishermen from Ban Pula Kapeh village of Kaluwo Nua subdistrict and Ban Chumchon Tha Rua 2000 village of Bang Nak subdistrict, both in Mueang Narathiwat district. And now the project is attracting more and more fishermen from nearby areas.