Passing the torch
Pid Thong Lang Phra aims to uphold the late King’s philosophies to improve agrarian societies, writes Chatrudee Theparat
Royally initiated-project vows to carry on the late King’s good work upcountry.
Despite the passing of the country’s revered monarch, the Pid Thong Lang Phra Foundation, a royal-sponsored initiative that specialises in rural development using the sufficiency philosophy, vows to uphold the royal legacy to improve the living conditions of folks living upcountry.
MR Disnadda Diskul, chairman of the foundation, insisted the royal initiatives will remain vibrant after the late King’s passing.
He said the government realises the importance of the programme and approved financial support worth 300 million baht a year for 2016-20 to support the second phase of the foundation’s project to expand community development to other provinces and organise training programmes to include more state officials and communities.
Founded in 2008, Pid Thong Lang Phra (which translates to doing good without expecting any returns) uses the sufficiency economy philosophy to deal with deforestation, flooding and poverty. It aims to promote reforestation and crop diversity to maintain soil quality.
The late King’s philosophy promotes sustainable development among communities in five provinces. The project is in its second phase (2016-20) after the first stage was implemented for five years in Nan, Udon Thani, Phetchaburi, Uthai Thani and Kalasin provinces.
The first stage enabled farmers from 2,017 families generate 285 million baht in income, enabling them to repay their debt. The programme has become a role model for rural development and the government agreed to expand it to other provinces.
Pid Thong Lang Phra teamed up early this year with four state agencies: the Prime Minister’s Office, Interior Ministry, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, and the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to promote the application of the late King’s sufficiency economy philosophy in Khon Kaen and the restive southern provinces.
The programme is partnering with the Interior Ministry, local administrative organisations and private sector to develop 500 weirs and reservoirs in 2018.
Phichest Wiriyapaha, director-general of the Cooperatives Promotion Department, said the department is also teaming up with the Pid Thong Lang Phra Foundation to upgrade 126 agricultural cooperatives initiated by the late King nationwide to strengthen the local community, create better lives and reduce poverty.
Thammasat, Chulalongkorn, and Kasetsart universities with the support of the Pid Thong Lang Phra and the Cooperatives Promotion Department are designing the training programme to develop the cooperatives.
According to a joint study carried out by the three universities, the cooperatives are viable if they operate based on the three steps on the sufficiency economy philosophy of the late King: independence within each household, cooperation among communities and selfreliant communities and their ability to handle external factors.
The training programme is scheduled to be implemented next year.
There are some 8,000 cooperatives nationwide, with 11 million members and total assets worth 2 trillion baht, comprising 16.5% of GDP.
Mr Phichest said participation by people from the communities is crucial for the development, as it creates bargaining power for the community.
“If the cooperatives become stronger, they can generate income to the community and strengthen the economy,” he said.
If the cooperatives become stronger, they can generate income to the community and strengthen the economy. PHICHEST WIRIYAPAHA Director-general, Cooperatives Promotion Department