Area in northern Thailand undergoes dramatic transformation

The small village of Huay San in northern Thailand used to be a restricted area to outsiders, and was rarely visited by government officials and traders.

Located next to the infamous drug producing area of the Golden Triangle, which comprises parts of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, the village was a significant storage and distribution center for illicit drugs.

Almost every household in Huay San, which is located in Chiang Mai Province, was involved in this trade and had its own drug trafficking networks.

But it is a different story today, as the village is now a model for Thailand's anti-drug campaign.

This significant transformation is due to a project initiated by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation, a private, nonprofit organization established to improve the quality of life of people who live in poverty and are deprived of opportunities. The foundation manages numerous projects in Thailand and other Asian countries.

The Roi Jai Rak Project was launched in 2017 by Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati to safeguard local communities against drug abuse by creating a range of employment opportunities, reducing household expenses, and adopting a long-term strategy for sustainable incomes.

Huay San villager Kanya Laomi, who had been involved in drug dealing and became addicted to drugs while checking such consignments, said: "Nearly all the people in my village used to make a living by growing opium poppies or trafficking drugs. This way of life enabled them to make money quickly, but was also life-threatening."

Years ago, after being released from prison, Kanya joined the Roi Jai Rak Project, and is now employed as a sanitary worker. She has two children, but has never told them how she used to earn a living.

"I remember how terrified I was back then whenever I saw a police officer. Now, I feel I am living a decent life. I can tell my children about my job, and I am no longer afraid of the police," she said.

The project features a systematic plan, which is carried out by using various approaches. Sufficient water supplies, and good-quality soil and forests are guaranteed to provide food for local people and develop basic infrastructure.

Learning center

As farming is the main occupation of this community, agricultural experts have been invited to look at the possibility of establishing an integrated farming system in the project area. A 12-hectare demonstration plot has been set up, which serves as a learning center for community members.

The plot is divided into sections with different themes, including fruit trees, agricultural self-sufficiency, irrigation techniques, and even nurseries for saplings. Study trips are organized for farmers to encourage their passion for learning.

The problem of illicit drugs poses serious threats to global security and stability.

From 2008 to 2017, worldwide seizures of amphetamines and methamphetamines rose from 8 metric tons to 70 tons, data from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime show. The Office predicts that the figure will grow to 132 tons in 2027, having risen 16-fold in 20 years.

The annual value of the illicit drug market in Southeast Asia is estimated at 495 billion baht ($13.65 million). As Thailand shares more than 25 percent of this total, the government has allocated a significant amount to combat the illicit drug issue.

Narong Apichai, operational development president at the Mae Fah Luang Foundation, said that in addition to crime and violence, the problem of illicit drugs has been attributed to poverty, which is why many people become involved with such activities.

"Roi Jai Rak literally means 'joining hearts to preserve and protect'.An effective approach to tackling the problem of illicit drugs is to address the root causes, which are poverty and lack of opportunity," Narong said.

The project, which has benefited nearly 5,000 residents, covers an area of 5,939 hectares, and involves four main villages in northern Thailand-Huay San, North Meung Ngam, South Meung Ngam and Suk Reutai — and 20 smaller villages.

"It provides a well-structured development model, with people at the learning center helping villagers to assist themselves. With such sustainable measures, the community no longer needs to rely on illicit drugs or other illegal activities," Narong said.

The project also acts as a communications bridge between local farmers and CP Starlanes Co on the purchase of fruit. The company supports farmers by providing facilities and also teaches them quality control methods.

A Huay San villager, who wished to be identified only as Somboon, used to be involved with drug trafficking, but now owns a mango orchard. "In the past, each family that grew fruit dealt with middlemen, and were vulnerable to price fluctuations," he said.

Thanks to the project, Somboon learned to grow high-quality fruit for export, which increased villagers' incomes. Moreover, planting fruit on a large scale with the support of a big company meant the villagers were less likely to return to drugs to earn a living.

"The mangoes we grow are mainly exported to Japan and South Korea, which have very strict standards for pesticide residue. As a result of the professional guidance we receive, our mango prices are tipped to rise from 20 baht to 60 baht per kilogram, which is very encouraging," he said.

The Roi Jai Rak Project's success has also attracted attention from countries close to Thailand geographically. For example, in April, a delegation of more than 20 members from Yunnan Police College in Southwest China traveled to Thailand to study the project.

Several towns and cities in China, which borders Myanmar and Laos, are only 100 kilometers from the Golden Triangle, which has been a major source of drugs in China since the 1990s.

In recent years, China has organized joint anti-drug operations with countries in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin.

Exchanges and studies covering a wide range of topics, such as alternate planting methods and anti-drug education, have also been conducted between China, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos to improve regional cooperation in the fight against drug dealing.

During the study tour, members of the Chinese delegation were impressed by the far-reaching changes made to villages in the project area.

Different options

It is hard to believe that such a far-reaching transformation has been achieved in just a few years, and that local people now have so many options to earn a sustainable living.

A member of the Chinese delegation said this is not a one-time investment, but a process of teaching people to live their lives as a result of their own efforts.

Narong, from the Mae Fah Luang Foundation, said the project also helps develop educational quality and sustain the environment. "These measures reduce the risk of the community returning to illicit drug operations," he added.

Moreover, the project supports the handicraft businesses of locals by teaching groups of women additional skills such as using sewing machines. A community market has been set up to promote tourism. Travelers can buy agricultural produce, traditional clothing and time-honored weaving products at the market.

"This project is designed for everyone to work together to ensure peace, stability and sustainability of the community. The aim of these efforts is to ensure that members of the community live law-abiding lives with pride and dignity," Narong said.