Success of development foundation in Thailand

One of the most heart-warming stories that we have come across recently is the incredible work carried out by an amazing development foundation in Northern Thailand. Over many years of hardship and poverty the hill tribes of the Northern triangle region of Thailand had resorted to cutting down the rain forests to clear land to grow opium and, as their only form of income, the whole culture of these ancient peoples was degenerating into drug addiction, crime and prostitution.

Under Thai Royal patronage, the foundation has created ways to halt deforestation and create alternative income and also provide realistic opportunities to preserve the hill tribes’ culture and traditions. By concentrating on developing their traditional ancient skills, and by introducing sustainable alternative crops, such as coffee and nuts, a wonderful transformation has taken place. Highland agricultural projects have replaced the cultivation of opium as an economic crop and as a result of the reforestation programme, forest cover has significantly increased.

The village communities have managed to achieve a level of sustainable development such that it now fosters the harmonious co-existence of indigenous culture and the surrounding natural environment.

The success of this project demonstrates that the issue is not about drugs, it is about poverty and the basic need to survive. Survival “brinkmanship” is the reality for almost one third of the world’s population; problems like the opium trade can be addressed with the support of the international community and viable economic alternatives.

Lessons from this incredible success story are being studied internationally. It is now regarded by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as one of the world’s most successful projects in sustainable alternative development. Through information sharing programmes, advice and consultation, neighbouring regions are benefiting and even delegates from projects in Afghanistan have found much that can be transferred, adopted and adapted to assist the huge opium growing problems in that region. 

Project Area
This amazing development Project is situated in Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand. The Project extends over an area of 150 square kilometres and runs adjacent to the border between Thailand and Myanmar (Burma) for a distance of 25 kilometres. The region is dominated by the Nang Non mountain range with Doi Chang Mub, its tallest peak, at 1,509 metres above sea level. Within the project area, there are 26 villages, home to a population of over 11,000 people, consisting mainly of hill tribes. Half of the villages are Akha communities. Other important minority (ethnic) groups represented are the Shan, Lahu and Lawa. In addition, there are approximately 1,100 descendants of members of the Chinese nationalist army – the Kuomintang – living in this region. In the wake of the Chinese civil war, they migrated and settled along the Thai-Burmese border.

Objectives
The rehabilitation of the depleted forestlands by employing nature-based and environmentally-compatible techniques, fostering the co-existence of man and nature

Improvement in the standard of living of the local population through the creation of jobs, and the provision of effective health and education systems

The introduction of crop substitution schemes whereby the cultivation of cash crops replaces the cultivation of opium poppy; the eradication of drug processing, trading and consumption

Beyond these socio-economic and environmental objectives, security aspects were also taken into consideration in the initial conception, planning process and formulation of the project. One of the key objectives was to improve the security situation along the border area through the presence of an increased number of security forces and to promoter greater allegiance to the Thai Kingdom by creating a greater sense of belonging and a Thai identity among the villagers through gradual cultural integration.

Finally, it was established as a model project for other regions of Thailand that faced similar problems.

Ethnic Minority Communities
The Development Project area encompasses a total of 27 village communities of different ethnic minority groups and hill-tribes; Akha, Lahu, Tai Yai and ethnic Chinese immigrants continue to perform ancient rituals and celebrate traditional folk festivals throughout the year. With many aspects of their culture and way of life well preserved, these ethnic communities are of immense ethnographic interest and importance to the study and preservation of the rich cultural heritage of Asia.

With access to education, vocational training and a range of employment opportunities, this enables ethnic minority groups in the project area to preserve their heritage whilst progressing into modernity.

They earn a steady income and have become self-sufficient. As a result, there has been a substantial improvement in their standard of living and quality of life. The village communities have managed to achieve a level of sustainable development that fosters the harmonious co-existence of indigenous culture and the surrounding natural environment.