of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation, noted that the
success of the Doi Tung Development Project was
based on the development principles of HRH the
Princess Mother, many of which she had learned
from the principles and work of His Majesty the King.
“HRH the Princess Mother studied three of
His Majesty the King’s projects in 1987. She
visited Huai Hong Khrai Royal Development Study
Centre in Chiang Mai herself, then instructed HRH
Princess Galyani Vadhana to visit Doi Ang Khang
Royal Project and report her findings. Then she
instructed me to visit the Royal Chitralada Projects.
The point she made here was the need to go into
the field to study the problems and needs of the
people. When we know the problems and needs,
we can then try to think of solutions. We are the
chief-of-staff and the team working for the villagers;
they are our bosses, not the other way round. We
then combine all four areas of wisdom (that from
the practical experience and principles of HM
the King, of HM the Queen, of HRH the Princess
Mother, and of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn)
to find solutions to their problems. We’ll say
this problem should be tackled this way, this need
should be addressed this way, which principles
and applications should be used for this problem
or that problem.
“When all the facts have been analysed, the
results will be presented to the community, saying,
‘We have studied your problem at length, and from
the principles and experience of HM the King, HM
the Queen, HRH the Princess Mother, and HRH
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, we believe this
could be the solution, as it is based on such and
such a project that has already been successfully
implemented. Do you believe that we can solve the
problem this way, and do you want to try it?’ If they
agree, we’ll take them to visit the royal projects to
see for their own eyes. When they have seen and
experienced it themselves, they can make their
own decision.” [from an interview with Matichon
newspaper dated 5 December 2012]
Since 19 May 1989, when the Princess Mother
planted the first sapling on Doi Tung, reforestation
began in earnest at an average of 3,625 rai (580
ha) per year. Within a little over a decade, 50,000
rai (8,000 ha) of denuded land was reforested.
Economic forests of macadamia and coffee provide
the basis for value added production, giving
the people of Doi Tung improved incomes and
greater opportunities. From a desolate land where
100 million illegal opium plants were grown each
year, where people lived in poverty and despair,
Doi Tung has become a land of hope, a land with a
secure future for its residents. Today, the Doi Tung
Development Project is recognised internationally
as a model of social enterprise and sustainable
rural development. Although the Princess Mother
passed away 20 years ago, she remains alive in
the Doi Tung Development Project, in the work of
the Mae Fah Luang Foundation, and in the hearts
of all the Thai people.