Thailand’s royal legacy
Currently, more than 40 monarchies remain worldwide serving as constitutional guardians of cultural continuity and national identity, including Thailand. The legacy of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, known by his regnal name Rama IX, shines with clarity, defined by dignity, humility and devoted public service.
Rama, who reigned from 1946 until his death in 2016, left a transformative legacy. Shocked by the poverty, opium cultivation and deforestation he witnessed among Hmong communities in the highlands of Chiang Mai, he launched the Royal Project in 1969 to confront these challenges. Chiang Mai — once an area of hardship — is today one of the most popular tourism destinations for Korean travelers.
Through sustainable agriculture, watershed protection, forest conservation and community development, the king sought to replace opium cultivation. Over time, the Royal Project Foundation expanded into a nationwide sustainable development model, uplifting ethnic minority communities in highland areas such as Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon and Doi Angkhang. Former opium-growing regions were transformed into centers of vegetable and fruit farming, floriculture and ecotourism. Today, it remains one of Rama’s enduring achievements, carried forward through R&D work of the Highland Research and Development Institute (HRDI) under the agriculture and cooperatives ministry.
Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, accompanied Rama on visits across Thailand. Believing that skill training and improving the quality of Thai handicrafts could help villagers earn income while preserving cultural heritage, she founded the SUPPORT Foundation. Through this initiative, she championed rural revitalization, women’s empowerment, water resource management and the preservation of Thai textiles. Her philanthropic efforts strengthened communities while protecting Thai heritage. Her recent passing prompted a nationwide outpouring of reverence.
In continuation of these efforts, the current king, Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, known as Rama X, ordered the transfer of the Bang Sai Non-Agricultural Occupational Promotion and Development Center’s land, assets, and responsibilities to the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
My longstanding ties with Thailand led me to visit the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul on Nov. 8 to pay my respects following the passing of the queen mother. The condolence messages displayed there were a touching reminder of her enduring contributions to national development.
These reflections resurfaced during the National Day reception on Dec. 3, hosted by Tanee Sangrat, ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Korea. The event commemorated Thailand’s National Day and the birthday of Rama IX, while also honoring the late queen mother.
With respect and gratitude, agricultural and handicraft products produced by HRDI and ALRO were presented to Dr. Apapan Chatpaisarn, a representative of the Agricultural Affairs Section of the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul.
At the recent Ignite Thailand–Korea Business Forum in Bangkok, over 500 participants explored cooperation in smart agriculture, advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure and creative industries, supported by Thailand’s incentives for electric vehicles, semiconductors and digital technology.
As Korea and Thailand deepen their cooperation, the human stories behind their friendship remain vital. The legacies of King Rama IX and Queen Sirikit — along with the Thai people’s generosity and cultural pride — continue to inspire profound respect. In honoring them, we honor the enduring spirit of Thailand, where tradition and modernity thrive together.
Choe Chong-dae (choecd@naver.com) is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is a recipient of Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star, one of the nation’s most distinguished honors.