On Friday 25th August 2023, between 14.00 - 17.00 hrs., H.E. Mr. Sarun Charoensuwan, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and his spouse, Miss Weeree Thitipoonya, together with the executives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led 26 Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Consular Representatives and their spouses, consisting from 21 countries to visit the 904 Royal Volunteers Training Centre. The Ministry organised the Study Visit in tribute to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua’s Birthday Anniversary on 28th July 2023 and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother’s Birthday Anniversary on 12th August 2023 and to promote the royal initiative of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana to continue, preserve and build upon the royal work of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother to the diplomatic corps.
Under the Royal Command of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, the 904 Royal Volunteers Training Centre was established as a learning centre of royal works and projects across the country, especially the application of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) and New Agriculture Theory in daily life. The centre also aims to demonstrate Thai culture, wisdom and way of life, as well as to raise awareness of Thai people in being a good citizen, and to enhance’s local communities’ preparedness for natural disasters and chalenges caused by unexpected circumstances. The centre has been operating since 7th May 2019 covering a 232-rai area, graciously bestowed by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua. The centre is founded under His Majesty the King’s aspiration to “strengthen the nation’s stability and the people’s happiness as well as to correct the wrong doing and to follow through the Royal Initiatives under the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy.”
Upon arrival at the 904 Royal Votunteers Training Centre, the Diplomatic Corps and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ executives were warmly welcomed by senior officials of the Bureau of the Royal Household led by Air Chief Marshal Amnart Jeeramaneemai, Grand Chamberlain, Mr. Chittrapat Krairiksh, Deputy Director-General of the Department of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary and Khunying Chantanee Thanarak, Assistant to His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary and Director-General of the Department of the Lord Chamberlain. The Diplomatic Corps was also bestowed upon Royal Volunteers caps and scarves before receiving a briefing about the overall picture and main objectives of the centre from Admiral Kaneepol Songjaroen, Director of the 904 Royal Volunteers Training Centre. The diplomatic corps also learned at first hand about the balanced way of living by visiting the following learning stations:
Area 1 presented practical and affordable solutions to six socio-geographic problems including flood and drought prevention, water management, household financial management, waste management, mountain reforestation, charcoal making and by-products, soil improvement and natural water treatment.
Area 2 presented crisis survival training area including vertical climbing net and rope bridge, jungle survival skills, water crossing, landslide and mudslide, and giant water reservation tanks.
Area 3 presented New Agriculture Theory applied to model community including rice paddy fields where showcases rice planting and Thai buffalo conservation and development project.
Area 4 showcased the model of Royal Study and Development Centres located in different parts of the country.
This visit has reaped considerable attention from Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Consular Representatives and their spouses. During the half-day study visit, the diplomatic corps was impressed to learn about the application of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy by participating in activities such as feeding the buffaloes, making of multi purpose organic cleansers, making of clay houses and reforestation. The diplomatic corps praised the royal initiatives which taught the people to sustainably live with nature. Although the Sufficiency Economy is a philosophy based on the fundamental principle of Thai culture and traditional way of living, its core principle is in line with global development agenda to accelerate human development by emphasising on balance and eco-friendly development which can be applied to all aspects in everyday life.
Since 2002, the Department of Protocol has organised a series of exclusive study visits for Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Consular Representatives, and their spouses, to witness the success stories of royally-initiated projects in improving the people’s well-being which complements Thailand’s proactive and constructive role in conducting foreign policy, while promoting Thai cultures, identities and tourism.