Based on His Majesty the King’s sufficiency economy model, the new campaign favors a quality over quantity philosophy under which equal attention is paid to ensuring both sustainability and grassroots benefits from tourism. Under the Royal Initiative Discovery campaign, for the first time, a number of rural development and poverty-alleviation projects created by His Majesty, as well as Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother and other members of the Royal Family, are being opened to the public in the form of unique travel packages.

These projects, located in remote parts of the Kingdom, are in line with His Majesty’s philosophy that poverty can best be eradicated through improved health, steady income through honest work, and knowledge and understanding through education. They have not only changed the lives of those who were meant to be helped but also those who helped to make them possible.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see and learn about the many successful royal projects initiated by His Majesty the King of Thailand. These projects, covering a wide range of agricultural development activities from organic farming and sustainable fisheries to reforestation and income generation, have greatly contributed to Thailand’s sustainable economy and will no doubt continue to play a major role in implementing the sufficiency economy concept.

His Majesty the King of Thailand is known as the working Monarch of the world. During his long reign, the King has worked tirelessly to help his people achieve a better standard of living.  Throughout the country, thousands of royally-initiated projects have been launched to improve the quality of life of the people of Thailand.

His Majesty’s wish to help the people in remote areas has also been taken to heart by Her Majesty the Queen who has accompanied the King on multiple royal visits to every region of the country. Through Her Majesty’s Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques (SUPPORT) established in 1976, family members of farmers and villagers have been trained in various handicraft arts which they then use to make articles that can be sold. Family income is thereby increased along with the individuals’ self-esteem. Today, handicrafts from the SUPPORT Foundation are not only widely consumed domestically but also provide welcome sources of export revenues for Thailand.

In recognition of His Majesty’s tireless work and the global relevance of his call for a sufficiency approach to development, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Friday, 26 May 2006, presented His Majesty the King with a Lifetime Achievement Award. It was the United Nations Development Programmer’s first ever Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award and it was presented by Mr Annan to His Majesty at Klai Kangwon Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Not only do these royally-initiated projects enable people in remote areas to stand on their own feet, they also give rise to new tourist attractions which in turn enable local people to raise their income levels. At these royally- initiated projects, visitors can appreciate and gain insights into local crafts while also enjoying beautiful scenery. They can also tour plantations and buy the fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers that are grown and cultivated there. A visit to the projects in the northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai also present opportunities to understand the lifestyles of hilltribe minorities.

Angkhang Royal Agricultural Station, Chiang Mai
Located in the Doi Ang Khang valley, the station is designated for experimenting with temperate plants that might be grown in Thailand. The experiments are aimed at promoting cultivation of cash crops to replace opium cultivation. The station features beautifully landscaped flower gardens, a restaurant and plantations. A visit to Angkhang can also include stops at some of the many hilltribe villages as well as trekking, mountain biking, mule riding and bird watching. Day trips can be arranged to the viewing point which overlooks the mountain range dividing Thailand and Myanmar. Doi Angkhang is a comfortable three-hour drive north of Chiang Mai and just five kilometres from the Thai-Myanmar border. The journey itself is quite breathtaking with the road winding through some of Thailand’s  most stunning natural scenery.
Tel: 0 5345 0107-9. Fax: 0 5345 0106.

Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park, Chiang Rai
The Mae Fah Luang Foundation has developed this important art and cultural park as a centre of education and youth development which extends scholarships to disadvantaged students from impoverished communities in remote areas of the country. The foundation has developed the Art and Cultural Park as a site for the royal collection of Lanna art which includes some of the finest examples of religious and secular art and artefacts gathered from all over northern Thailand. There are many lovely buildings within the park, including Hor Kaew Museum and Hor Kham, a golden teak pavilion where sacred artefacts, including an ancient wooden Buddha image, palanquins, candelabra and many other items, are displayed.
Tel: 0 5376 7015-17, 0 2252 7114 ext 234, 217
www.maefahluang.org.

Hall of Opium, Chiang Rai
The Hall of Opium is a multimedia museum that traces the history of opium, its relationship to the Golden Triangle, and efforts to combat the spread of drug addiction. Located just a short distance from the Golden Triangle, the Hall of Opium tells its story through a series of imaginatively designed, modern, interactive rooms that educate visitors in a lively and attractive manner. From the 130-metre darkened tunnel that forms the entrance and calls to mind the horrors and fears of drug addiction, visitors move from room to room learning about the 5,000-year history of opium production, its medical benefits and its addiction problems and association with modern-day crime. Along the way are beautiful recreations of historic settings, besides opium memorabilia, multimedia shows, interactive video clips, and even the sad voices of addicts which can be heard in the Gallery of Excuses.
Tel: 0 5378 4444 , 0 5376 7015-7 or 02252 7114
www.goldentrianglepark.com 

Doi Tung Development Project, Chiang Rai
This project was established under the royal patronage of Her Royal Highness the late Princess Mother. Its main objective is to encourage hilltribes to grow fruit trees and other cash crops as substitutes for poppies and slash and burn cultivation. The project not only achieved its goal, but also succeeded in teaching hilltribes to conserve the environment and continue to fashion their traditional handicrafts. Tourist highlights of Doi Tung include Doi Tung Royal Villa, Mae Fah Luang Garden, The Princess Mother Commemorative Hall, Mae Fah Luang Arboretum, Phra That Doi Tung, ethnic and hilltribe communities, the Wildlife Conservation Centre and Open Zoo, and on-site accommodation at Doi Tung Lodge 31.
Tel: 0 2252 7114 ext 217 or 234
www.doitung.org