Royal Project Foundation

Last updated
The Royal Project Foundation
AbbreviationRPF
Formation1969
TypeNon-profit Organisation
PurposeImprove the quality of life of the hill-tribe people and to decrease the opium-growing in the highland.
Headquarters Chiang Mai, Thailand
Website www.royalprojectthailand.com/front

The Royal Project Foundation is a Thai non-profit organisation based in north Thailand. It was founded by King Bhumibol Adulyadej as an umbrella organization for his charitable initiatives and research. [1] [2] [3] The focus of the foundation is to improve the quality of life of hill tribes. [2] [4] [5] Ancillary goals are to reduce opium-growing and to revive forests and water resources. [4] The Royal Project Foundation is considered one of the first and most successful projects for opium production elimination. [2] [5] It was awarded The Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding in 1988. [6]

Contents

History

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the founder of the Royal Project Foundation Bhumibol Adulyadej 2010-9-29 2 cropped.jpg
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the founder of the Royal Project Foundation

The project began in 1969, when King Bhumibol Adulyadej visited an opium-growing hill tribe village in Doi Pui. [3] During his visit, the king learned that a local peach could provide income for the hill tribe people. [1] He found that the Doi PuI Development Centre, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, was testing and developing a suitable type of peach for the environment. It could provide higher incomes to the local people than opium-growing. [3] He instructed the Crown Property Bureau to give 200,000 baht to the project. [1] [3]

After the first few years, the project received support from international agencies. In 1972, the UN realised the importance of alternative agriculture to replace opium-growing. The UN/Thai Program for Drug Abuse Control was begun. [1] Between 1973 and 1984, USDA-ARS also supported the project by giving money to the project for research and development to find the best and most suitable fruits and vegetables for the highlands. [1] [3]

In 1992, the royal project changed its name to the Royal Project Foundation and became a public organisation for the people's benefit permanently. [1] [2] [3]

Development centres

Today, the Royal Project Foundation has 38 development centres spread across five provinces in northern Thailand: Chiang Mai Province, Chiang Rai Province, Mae Hong Son Province, Lamphun Province and Phayao Province. [7] The development centres are not only for researching and developing projects for the foundation, but some have become tourist destinations. [3] [8]

AngKhang Development Centre `aangkhaang 502.jpg
AngKhang Development Centre

In Chiang Mai, there are 27 development centres which include three Royal Agriculture Stations: Doi Ang Khang, Doi Inthanon, and Pang Da; one research station, Mae-Lod; and 23 development centres: Ka Noi, Khun Phae, Khun Wang, Teen Tok, Tung Rao, Tung Roeng, Tung Luang, Nong Khieo, Nong Hoi, [9] Pa Mieng, Pang Ung, Mon Ngo, Mok Cham, Mae Tho, Mae The Nuier, Mae Phae, Mae Sa Pok, Mae Sa Mai, Mae Hae, Wat Chan, Haui Luk, Haui Siao, and Huai Som Poi. [3] [7] [8] [10]

In Chiang Rai, There are three development centres: Pha Tung, Mae Poon Luang, and Sa Ngo. [3] [7] [8]

In Mae Hong Son, there are six centres: Mae La Noi, Mae Sariang, Huai Nam Khun, Huai Nam Rin, Huai Pong, and Huai Lang. [3] [7] [8]

In Lamphun, there is one development centre, Pha Bath Huay Tom. [3] [7] [8]

In Phayao, there is one development centre, Pang Cha. [3] [7] [8]

Projects

Projects are changing, developing and adapting to the issues that need to be solved and improved in various communities and regions of Thailand. [11] All the projects are made to achieve the main purposes that the Royal Project Foundation has and to improve the quality of life of communities. [11]

Currently, 4,741 projects are part of the royal initiative. [12]

Project Type RegionTotal
NorthCentralNorth EastSouthMisc
Water Resources1,25551185163103,248
Agricultural475144280170
Environmental634141343182
Career Development8935121940339
Public Health1516971158
Transport / Communication23222022087
Social Welfare / Education2037553634398
Integration / Other1056252337259
Total1,8008131,191912254,741

The Marketing Project is research on the cost and profitability of the Royal Project's fruits and vegetables. This project also studies the customer behaviour in choosing and buying the products. This is to come up with the best marketing plan for selling the project's produce. [11]

The environmental conservation project researches the highland environment, forests, water, and soil, to optimize sustainable yields. [11]

The Royal Project Culinary

Although the Royal Project Foundations were founded to solve problems of deforestation, opium and poverty, many have since become tourist attractions in Thailand. [13] There are a diverse range of things for tourists to do, including: learning how to make a unique local dish, releasing fish into the seas, feeding cattle or teaching the village children before spending a night in the house of a local family. [14]

In end 2016, the Tourism Authority of Thailand held an "Amazing Dream Journey" contest, where winners had the chance to have a free trip to Thailand and sample dishes by a Thai celebrity chef (Chumpol Jangprai), [15] using Royal Project food products. [13]

At the "KHAO" restaurant at Chiang Mai's Four Seasons hotel resort, chefs sources certain ingredients exclusively from farmers who work with the Royal Project, with a focus on preserving local knowledge on agriculture and helping communities become self-sufficient. [16]

Royal Project winter fruit also featured at the ASEAN Tourism Forum held in Chiang Mai in January 2018. [17] [ failed verification ]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chiang Rai province</span> Province of Thailand

Chiang Rai is one of Thailand's seventy-six provinces, which lies in upper northern Thailand and is Thailand's northernmost province. It is bordered by the Shan State of Myanmar to the north, Bokeo province of Laos to the east, Phayao to the south, Lampang to the southwest, and Chiang Mai to the west. The provinces is linked to Houayxay Laos by the Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge that spans the Mekong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chiang Mai province</span> Province of Thailand

Chiang Mai is the largest Province (changwat) of Thailand. It lies in upper northern Thailand and has a population of 1.78 million people. It is bordered by Chiang Rai to the northeast, Lampang and Lamphun to the south, Tak to the southwest, Mae Hong Son to the west, and Shan State of Burma to the north. The capital, Chiang Mai, is 685 kilometres (426 mi) north of Bangkok.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tak province</span> Province of Thailand

Tak is one of Thailand's seventy-seven provinces (changwat) and lies in lower northern Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani and Kanchanaburi. The western edge of the province has a long boundary with Kayin State of Myanmar (Burma).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mae Hong Son province</span> Province of Thailand

Mae Hong Son province, also spelled Maehongson, Mae Hong Sorn or Maehongsorn, is one of Thailand's seventy-six provinces (changwat). It lies in upper northern Thailand and is the westernmost province. Neighboring provinces are Shan State of Myanmar, Chiang Mai and Tak. To the west, the province borders Kayin State and Kayah State of Myanmar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mae Sai district</span> District of Thailand

Mae Sai is the northernmost district (amphoe) of Chiang Rai province in northern Thailand. The town of Mae Sai is a major border crossing between Thailand and Myanmar. Asian Highway Network AH2 crosses the Mae Sai River to the town Tachileik in Myanmar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mae On district</span> District in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Mae On is a district (amphoe) of Chiang Mai province in the north of Thailand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chai Prakan district</span> District in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chai Prakan is a district (amphoe) in the northern part of Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hang Dong district</span> District in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Hang Dong is a district (amphoe) of Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thai highway network</span>

The Thai highway network follows the left-hand traffic rule of the road. The network is the twin responsibility of the Department of Highways, and the Department of Rural Roads, under the oversight of the Transportation ministry of Thailand. Public highways are also called public roads, especially when part of urban streets. The network spans over 70,000 kilometers across all regions of Thailand. Most are single carriageways. Dual carriageways have frequent u-turn lanes and intersections slowing down traffic. Coupled with the increase in the number of vehicles and the demand for a limited-access motorway, the Thai Government issued a Cabinet resolution in 1997 detailing the motorway construction master plan. Some upgraded sections of highway are being turned into a "motorway", while other motorways are not being built from highway sections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhubing Palace</span> Thai royal residence in Chiang Mai

Bhubing Rajanives Palace is a royal residence in Doi Buak Ha, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doi Tung</span> Mountain in Mae Fa Luang Thailand

Doi Tung (ดอยตุง) is a mountain in the Thai highlands of Mae Fa Luang District, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daen Lao Range</span> Mountain chain in Burma and Thailand

The Daen Lao Range is a mountain range of the Shan Hills in eastern Burma and northern Thailand. Most of the range is in Shan State, with its northern limit close to the border with China, and runs southwards across the Thai border, at the northern end of Thailand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khun Tan Range</span> Mountain range in Thailand

The Khun Tan Range is a mountain range that occupies a central position in Northern Thailand. Most of the range is located in Chiang Mai, western Chiang Rai, Lampang and Lamphun Provinces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phi Pan Nam Range</span> Mountain range in Thailand and Laos

The Phi Pan Nam Range, also Pee Pan Nam, is a 400 km (249 mi) long system of mountain ranges in the eastern half of the Thai highlands. It is mostly in Thailand, although a small section in the northeast is within Sainyabuli and Bokeo Provinces, Laos.

The Mae Fah Luang Foundation (MFLF) is a private, non‐profit organization established to improve the quality of life of people in poverty and deprived of opportunities. It manages numerous projects in Thailand as well as other countries in Asia. The foundation's mission focuses on three main areas: “improving social and economic development, preserving the environment, and supporting local art and culture.”

The Doi Kham Company was founded in 1994 by the Crown Property Bureau at the request of King Bhumibol Adulyadej to set up a business to buy products from royal projects and farmers at fair prices and sell quality products to the Thai population.

Khun Khan National Park is a national park in Thailand's Chiang Mai Province. This mountainous park is home to forests, waterfalls and cliff-top viewpoints.

Khun Chang Khian is a village administered as Moo 4 in Chang Phueak tambon (subdistrict) of Mueang Chiang Mai District, in Chiang Mai province, Thailand. In 1999, it had a total population of 697 people. It is a White Hmong village that was founded in 1955. The village is located to the east of Doi Pui and is approximately 1,350 metres (4,430 ft) above sea level.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The Royal Project Foundation's Background", Retrieved 2017-10-15.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "The Royal Project Foundation", Thailand Sustainable Development Foundation (2016), Retrieved 2017-10-15.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "38 เส้นทางความสุข 38 โครงการหลวง", อมรา ศิริพงษ์, ชัยเนตร ชนกคุณ, ชุติมา ทองดี, ดิลก หาญผล, รอรบ โกมลฐิติ (October 2011), Retrieved 2017-10-15.[ dead link ]
  4. 1 2 "The Royal Project Foundation's Purposes", Retrieved 2017-10-15.
  5. 1 2 "Vegetable Supply Chain Management: The Royal Project Foundation in Thailand", N. Jayamangkala, Retrieved 2017-10-15.
  6. ↑ "The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation", Retrieved 2017-11-13.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The Royal Project Foundation's Development Centres", Retrieved 2017-10-15.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 " 38 โครงการหลวง ตามร้อยเท้าพ่อ", (3 November 2016), Retrieved 2017-10-15.
  9. ↑ "Take a walk in the hills and discover the uniquely Thai Royal Project at Nong Hoi". TAT Newsroom. 2017-10-20. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  10. ↑ "The Royal Projects in Thailand", Thai Travel News (11 December 2016), Retrieved 2017-10-15.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "The Royal Project Foundation's Projects", Retrieved 2017-10-15.
  12. ↑ สรุปภาพรวมโครงการอันเนื่องมาจากพระราชดำริ
  13. 1 2 "Amazingstories Thailand trip planner, Thailand travel guide, Amazingstories, Amazing Dream Journey, Dream Journey, Journey, Amazing". Amazingstories (in Thai). Archived from the original on 2018-03-01. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  14. ↑ "Make a real connection to Thailand through Royal Projects". TAT Newsroom. 2017-10-20. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  15. ↑ "Chumpol Jangprai Profile | Thailand Tatler". Thailand Tatler. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  16. ↑ "Chiang Mai Restaurant Hosts Thai Culinary Event at Four Seasons". Four Seasons Press Room. Archived from the original on 2018-03-01. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  17. ↑ "Ten Talented Thai Chefs Showcase Thai Gastronomy at ATF 2018 Gala Opening - TAT Newsroom". TAT Newsroom. 2018-01-24. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.