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ty- the way of giving and shar–
ing.
King Bhumibol and Queen Siri–
kit travel thousands of miles each
year learning about the needs of
the people and seeking solutions
to their problems. The work of the
King and Queen has taken them
to every part of their kingdom.
No province is too small or village
too remote to receive a Royal
visit.
We were privileged, while
visiting Thailand recent ly with edi–
tor in chief Herbert W. Armstrong,
to be able to spend several days
observing the King and Queen
working among their people.
1n a short article, we cannot
describe all the events of those
crowded days. But two inci.dents
will show the style of leadership of
Thailand's King and Queen- a
style that marks them as leaders
with a difference.
Building the Nation
At a village high in the forest-clad
mountains of Chiang Mai Prov–
ince the King had come to inspect
the si te of a new irrigation proj–
ect.
This was not just a ceremonial
visit. His Majesty, a trained engi–
neer, is personally concerned with
all aspects of the development of
rural Thailand.
T hailand is making good prog–
ress. But the King knows that prog–
ress must be cautious if the coun–
tryside is not to be damaged.
Thailand's upland forest reserves
have a lready been depleted by
greedy log poachers and by the
indiscriminate slash-and-burn agri–
culture used by opium-producing
Hilltribes. Such shortsighted ex–
ploitation has caused irreparable
damage to Thailand's watershed
areas. The whole nation would suf–
fer serious consequences if it were
allowed to continue.
The Hilltribes have traditionally
grown the opium poppy, and espe–
cially in recent years as a cash crop.
From their limited perspective,
they have not understood the dam–
age this has inflicted on the coun–
try.
The challenge is to convince
them of the benefits of abandoning
highly destructive opium poppy
cultivation in favor of cereals,
July/ August 1984
fruits, vegetables and other cash
crops. They could be
forced
to
comply, of course, but that is not
King Bhumibol's way. He knows
that to help the people he must win
their trust, and trust can never be
gained by threats. That is why he
tries to visit each new síte in per–
son.
The síte of this proposed reser–
voir could only be reached by a
narrow track through the open for–
est.
The King set a fast pace, as he
led the party of officials. lt was an
informal situation, and yet al! held
the King in great respect. I n
return, he respects his country–
every square foot of it. Gently he
rebuked a photographer who had
been too enthusiastic in crashing
through the underbrush al the side
of the trail to get a better vantage
point. Nature must be looked after
if ít is to serve us, the Kíng
reminded hím.
After several minutes of brisk
walking we reached a point over–
looking a proposed dam site. Tbe
Kíng had sígnificant questions to
pose as he keenly observed the area
nation as well as King Bhumibol
knows Thailand. During his long
reign he has visited every part of
his realm, and each visit is pre–
ceded by hours of careful map
study. He knows that the location
of even a small dam is of great
importance. Where should it go so
that it will do the most good for the
people and yet not harm the envi–
ronment?
All Sides of the Question
After discussing tbe project with
government officials, the King next
conferred with local leaders, asking
them for their evaluation of the
new project. He listened to them
patiently, carefully noting any
reluctance or hesitation. The local
leaders were simple tribesmen, but
His Maj esty's manner quickly put
them at ease.
This was not a public relations
exercise. The King genuinely
wanted to know how they felt. He
talked to them quietly, sincerely,
more like their elder brother than
one with great authority.
As he gradually won the confi–
dence of the tribal leaders, they
Queen Sirikit of Thailand meets with Hilltribe people to plan new self-help
projects. Her Majesty also advises in tbe marketing of handicrafts abroad.
with reference to a carefully
marked large-scale map. The King
is rarely seen without a map on bis
yisits to rural areas.
Few heads of state know their
began to tell him their reservations
about the irrigation project.
Will the new darn and reservoir
flood their lands? they asked.
Who will compensate them for
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