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this? And how will they live unti l
the new fields are brought into pro–
duction? How will they get their
produce to market? Who will huy
it?
The King made a careful note of
their questions. Encouraged, they
opened up even more. After careful
consideration of their reservations,
His Majesty asked if there was per–
haps an alternative site for the
dam-one that would not take up
their land. There was- but it was
not as good from the engineering
standpoint, since the resulting res–
ervoir would hold less water. But
the King agreed to consider this
alternative.
After inspecting both sites he
advised the local officials
to go slowly. It was better
first to demonstrate on a
small scale the benefits of
irrigat ion and crop substi–
tution. Once the tribes–
men were convinced, they
themselves would ask for
a bigger dam and more
water.
lt
would take time
and pat ience, but in the
long run it would win the
people over to a more set–
tled way of life.
Those who work with
the King have learned to
trust his judgment in
these matters.
After talking further with King
Bhumibol the tribesmen agreed to
stop the future growing of opium
poppies and to plant substitute
crops with the irrigation waters
provided by the new dam.
Servants of All
Come with us now to the provin–
cial center of Phayao where the
King and Queen were to spend a
day visiting with the local
people.
Does any other nation have an
occasion quite like this? There can–
not be many other places on earth
where the bond of !ove and respect
between rulers and subjects is so
plain to see.
Under a makeshift shelter
shielding them from the bright sun,
a few thousand people were sitting
quietly on the ground. They had
been waiting since early morning.
A detachment of tbe Royal
Guards was on duty to provide
12
coordination and security. They
looked alert and competent, but at
the same time, they were helpful
and friendly. Theirs
is
a pleasant
task compared to tbe paranoid sus–
picion body guards usually show.
This King does not walk in fear
among bis people.
About 1 p.m. the blue and
orange royal helicopter swooped in
over the trees and set down on a
makeshift landing area. As the dust
settled and the rotors slowed to a
stop, King Bhumibol and Queen
Sirikit stepped out to be greeted
formally by local officials.
Accompanying the King and
Queen was their daughter, Princess
Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who
shares her parents' devotion to duty
and passion for hard work.
The Royal Family greeted the
local officials, and then quickly
moved in among the people. Soon
the Queen was sitting on a straw
mat and talking earnestly with a
peasant family. A secretary and
Jadies-in-waiting kneeled nearby,
rapidly taking notes on the conver–
sation. Like her husband, the
Queen concerns herself with the
needs of Thailand's rural poor, and
the Royal Family have devoted
their lives to helping wherever and
whenever they can.
Members of the royal staff had
already spent severa! hours talking
with the people. Those with special
needs had been taken to a position
where they could be sure to talk
personally with the King, Queen or
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
The palace staff summarized each
individual's or family's needs on
sheets of paper that were pinned on
their clothing.
To save embarrassment sorne of
the more intimate and confidential
details were written in English,
which the Royal Family under–
stand perfectly, but the local people
cannot.
A widow was brought to the
The
PLAIN TRUTH