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The Royal Sacrifice
Thailand, the land of smiles, elephants and Buddhism, is unique
for its fascinating culture, traditions, and attitude towards the
world and life. It is a country shrouded in mystery, waiting for
the wide-eyed and open-minded to explore its distinctiveness. Thais,
with their natural charm, hospitality and relaxed temperament, are
adept at making visitors feel right at home.
Doi Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, Chiang
Mai Thai
people are justly proud of their country and especially His Majesty
King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The self-sacrifi ce and loving dedication
of His Majesty to the people of Thailand has provided a constant
source of guidance and inspiration to all ages and all nationalities.
To mark the occasion of His Majesty the King’s 80th birthday,
Touring the Royal Project Sites offers glittering glimpses of His
Majesty the King’s most successful ‘drug-crop replacement’
project. The project has completely removed opium poppy growing
from the northern highland areas of the country by introducing new
and improved crops that allow hill-tribe people to attain better
living conditions and sustain the rich bio-diversity of the land.
The Royal Project was designed to assist not only hill-tribe people
of Thailand but people of all nations.
The Royal Project Foundation
The Royal Project was initiated by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej
in 1969. It was introduced to encourage hill-tribe villagers to
shift from the cultivation of opium poppies to alternative crops.
The Project was also intended as a highland agricultural development
center. The villagers grew temperate climate fruit trees, and cultivated
fl owering and nutritious plants. As a learning center, it provided
education to hill-tribe people to improve their quality of life,
promoted settlement in certain areas instead of moving from place
to place, discouraged practices of shifting cultivation and methods
of slash-and-burn, and conserved watershed areas.
 In
1992, the Royal Project was re-named The Royal Project Foundation,
a formally constituted public service organization. Presently, the
Royal Project Foundation is responsible for all procedures from
their introduction to their conclusion. It researches plants to
be grown, promotes them, controls their quality, and helps with
marketing, at the same time as protecting the environment and the
hill-tribes’ welfare and culture.
Currently, the Royal Project Foundation supports more than 100,000
people in 36 projects in fi ve provinces, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai,
Phayao, Lamphun, and Mae Hong Son. Involved are permanent staff,
volunteers, offi cials from various government agencies, farmers,
and tribal groups, mainly Hmong, Yao, Karen, Lahu, Akha, Lisu, and
Chinese Haw.
The achievements of the Royal Project Foundation are well-known
and recognized throughout the country and world, and Thai and international
tourists visit the Royal Project sites in increasing numbers.
Touring
the Royal Project Sites 
 Presently,
there are 36 Royal Project Development Centers and 4 Research Stations
scattered throughout the mountainous areas of Northern Thailand,
promoting highland agriculture among local communities, the hill-tribes
and lowland residents, comprising 15 ethnic groups. Each site is
located in beautiful surroundings.
Tourist can observe the laboratory work of researchers and offi
cials in the Royal Project Development Centers and Research Stations
as they investigate plant species and planting methods most appropriate
to local conditions, and witness the field work, involving the production
of diverse temperate zone fruits, vegetables, and fl owers. All
of this takes place in lush natural and rehabilitated forests and
protected watershed areas.
Each Royal Project Development Center promotes the conservation
of local culture and tradition among the people in the area, and
encourages villagers to participate in eco-tourism activities. Venues
have been set up for cultural shows and outlets for produce or craft
products. Local children are trained to act as guides to escort
visitors in their villages and to attractions in the neighborhood,
teaching the tourists about the life and culture of hill-tribe communities.
The interesting work and ethos of the Development Centers, the
lure of hill-tribe cultures, the balmy weather the whole year round,
fi ne views, and mountain settings have all made the Royal Project
an emerging tourist attraction. Accessibility to Royal Project sites
has been improved, although some routes can still be challenging
at certain times of the year. Each site has its own unique charm
and beauty.
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Thailand
has much to interest visitors, from the mountains of the North to
the fertile Central Plains and the beautiful beaches and islands
of the South. You can fi nd a sense of history and timelessness
in which the Thai people, whose friendliness and hospitality are
legendary, have managed to adopt the modern world at the same time
as preserving their unique cultural heritage.
