Basic HTML Version
weaving. In the northeast and central regions,
Thailand 's ancient ceramic industry is being revived.
Help for the Hilltribes
The welfare of the Hilltribes of northern Thailand has
long been a special concern for King Bhumibol and
Queen Sirikit. These tribes have roamed the forests of
the north, causing damage with their s\ash-and-burn
agriculture. The Hilltribes have traditionally
antiques from previous reigns.
Common Sense and Compassion
King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit have set the
developing world a remarkable example. T hey have
recognized that the best antidote to frustration, social
unrest and revolution is to attack poverty at its source.
Their way is not to make flamboyant gestures or
endorse grandiose glamour projects that are too often
the measure of "progress" in the developing
world. Rather , the King and Queen have built a
reputation based on thousands of small acts of
consideration and kindness- tackling poverty at
the grass-roots leve!. T he Thai Royal family have
understood how to help their freedom-loving
people. T hey have worked to harness the natural
momentum of village life rather than introduce
radical change.
"T he spi r it of self-sufficiency al ready exists in
the remote areas," the Queen told American
audiences. "We should try to promote and
encourage this spirit, rather than allow it to be
ended."
~
The world should take notice of this quiet
~
approach to nation building. T hailand may be, as
~
Queen Sirikit self-effacingly pointed out, a "small
count ry, half a globe away," but it conducts its
affairs with common sense and responsibility.
Queen Sirikit presents peacock made by SUPPORT Foundation to
Herber t Armstrong; she greets Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley.
Thailand 's rural poor do not ask for
handouts-tbey ask for a chance. Through the
supplemented their meager income by cultivating the
opium poppy.
King Bhumibol has led the way in developing severa!
agricultura! replacement programs to encourage a more
settled existence and the cultivation of alternative cash
crops. Through SUPPORT, Queen Sirikit has assisted
His Majesty by encouraging the production of
handcrafted gold and silverware, for which the
tribesmen have a natural talent.
The Royal programs to help the Hilltribes have been
successful, and Thailand's share of the notorious golden
triangle opium harvest has dropped phenomenally.
An important feature of the SUPPORT program has
been the establishment of training workshops. Here
villagers with inadequate incomes are invited to come
for a period of training. Under expert teachers, arts and
handicrafts that were in danger of being forgotten take
on a new lease of life. Most trainees return to their
villages with new skills that they can then teach others.
Some of the most skillful are encouraged to stay longer,
so they can continue to develop their abilities. The
finest products of the SUPPORT workshops today
rival the treasu res made by Thailand's most skillful
workmen of earl ier times.
The SUPPORT Foundation promotes the sale of
these works of art, both in T hailand and around the
world. The profits are passed on to the workers.
Her Majesty brought to the United States a
selection of fine workmanship by the SUPPORT
craftsmen . T he modern works of art were displayed
alongside treasures from the Royal Collection of
October 1985
SUPPORT Foundation , many get that chance.
Their handicrafts marketed through the Foundation
represent more than justa souvenir, oran exotic objet
d'ar t from a faraway land. To own one- be ita gold
masterpiece ora humble but exquisitely woven basket,
an expensive silk gown or simple cotton blouse- is to
own a special piece of Thai land .
It
is the work of a
proud and free individual who is striving to build for
him or herself a better future. The SUPPORT
products reflect Thailand's her itage of the past and
hope for the future.
"We hope to contribute not only to the well-being
of our own people, but also a little towards world
peace and stability," the Queen explained. "With the
shortage of energy looming ahead, we hope to prove
that the self-sufficient village is a step forward in
warding off poverty and starvation and not a step
backward from modern world progress. In this
manner, we shall have contributed in our small way
to the world by at least being able to feed ourselves
and not burdening the outside world.
"And while self-sufficiency will satisfy our basic
pbysical needs, we sball not forget to foster the old
and traditional values which have satisfied our
spiritual needs for the last 700 years. Therefore I
hope that we shall be able to maintain, to preserve,
the character of the Thai smile-serene,
compassionate and friendly."
The Refugee Dilemma
Thailand's compassion has been put to the test by
the hapless refugees from
(Continued on page 30)
27