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While being received by Their
Majesties, above, editor in chief
Herbert W. Armstrong presents a
gift to Princess Maha Chakri
Sirindhorn. The Princess, above right
photo, shares her parents'
commitment to serving all Thai
people. Far left, children from
remote parts of Thailand benefit
from the royal development projects.
Areas previously unsuitable for
cultivation, left, have been brought
to full production, while natural
beauty is retained. Royal agricultura!
projects help rural HiUtribe families
grow a variety of crops, including
corn (right), in place of the poppy.
Queen. She was dressed in tattered
clothes, and looked so sad and
downcast. Her Majesty talked to
her in a friendly way, while scan–
ning the details pinned to her old
coat. The widow and her children
were always hungry since her hus–
band died. Her oldest child was
retarded. But the widow had no
July/ August 1984
skills and could only earn 20 baht
(about a dallar) a day. She needed
medica! aid for the children,
clothes for herself and a proper
home. Was there anything Her
Majesty could do to help?
Clase by, another family was
pleading their case quietly to the
Princess. They also were landless.
The man was a widower. He had
six children, and sorne of them
were síck. He was desperate with
worry. But as he poured out his
story to Princess Maha Chakri Sir–
indhorn, his eyes filled wíth hope.
The Queen and Princess always
listen carefully, then ask pointed
questions. Would the family mem–
bers be wíllíng to learn a trade so
that they can support themselves?
It is better to salve the problems
permanently rather than offer
short-term solutions.
Thailand's rural people
are potentially very tal–
ented, but often the tradi–
tional handicrafts that
come from their areas
show insufficient care in
workmanshíp.
The Queen has estab–
lished the SUPPORT
Foundation for the pur–
pose of promoting and
preserving rural handi–
crafts. Severa! workshops
have been establíshed at
royal expense where the
poor can be taught to
produce quality work.
Basket making, si lk
weaving, wood carving
and other traditional
handicrafts are taught
alongside more modern
vocational skills, such as
dressmaking and the re-
pamng of agricultura! machinery.
One of the SUPPORT workshops
is on the grounds of the Phuping Pal–
ace overlooking Chiang Mai. The
workshop is personally supervised by
the King and Queen 's youngest
daughter, P rincess Chulabhorn.
(Her Royal Highness gave us a per–
sonal tour, even though she was ill
and acting against her doctor's
orders.)
At these workshops, even the
most destitute and handicapped
Thais have an opportunity to learn
to support themselves.
When these training opportuni–
ties were offered to the widow and
the widower from Phayao, they
gratefully accepted.
The Queen moved on to talk to a
young mother with a bright little
boy, who had been born without
arms or legs. Her Majesty's eyes
glistened with compassion as she
sat down in front of the tragic
infant. The mother needed practi–
ca! help more than sympathy. Once
again, training opportunities were
offered, nearer to a city where the
little fellow could be given special–
ized training.
Meanwhile King Bhumibol had
been talking to two sisters,
reputed to be 108 and 1O1 years
old. The elderly ladies had waited
one and a half lifetimes to meet
their King! He greeted them
warmly and respectfully, and
asked after their health. They