The Ban Chan SUPPORT project is based in Tambon Muang, Amphoe Ban Muang, Sakon Nakhon. Much of Ban Chan is covered in forest. It also grows rice on lowlands and has watersheds. Most of the villagers are farmers but their rice yields are rather poor because of felling of the trees for logging and the invasion of communist guerillas in the past. The villagers, however, were strongly united among themselves, mainly because of their acknowledgement of their indebtedness to Their Majesties the King and Queen. In 1983, they joined hands in launching the "forest preserving water" project in response to Her Majesty's initiative. Since then, they have been accepted into the SUPPORT project, and the mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing, and silk weaving group was formed for the first time.
In 1985, many more occupations were added: black-smithing, orchid growing, herbal group, and vegetable growing group. When Her Majesty made the second trip to the village, she suggested several more occupations to be developed. With the granting of 100,000 baht in aid, the Ban Chan SUPPORT project was born.
The Ban Chan SUPPORT project is another royally sponsored project. With government officials and local people pooling their best efforts, the common venture became firmly established and flourished. The project has been receiving additional financial support from Thai people in other areas, such as fundraising efforts by the Thai SUPPORT committee in the United States.