Fuelled by sufficiency
The "Power of Human Energy" returns for a fourth year
A PROJECT CENTRED on His Majesty the King’s sufficiency economy and new theory philosophy, which focuses on the design of catchment areas in and around the Pa Sak River to prevent floods and provide water in times of drought, the “Power of Human Energy: A Journey Inspired by the King” is returning for a fourth edition after three years of success.
“The project has achieved its purpose in terms of increasing the number of people who are following the King’s thoughts about the management of soil and water in the forest. In the past three years we have worked with communities in Lop Buri and Sara Buri and we have witnessed the success of the loom kanom krok water catchment model,” says Pairoj Kaweeyanun, president at Chevron Thailand’s Exploration and Production.
“This year, the project is highlighting the Pa Sak model at Huai Kra Tak, Lop Buri. This learning centre is a model of agricultural geography in the plains and uplands. It is like a living exhibition that builds on the strengths of people and network parties.”
“As ever, the project will be underlining the strong collaboration between the government and the public members, who have worked so hard to achieve the Pa Sak model,” adds Dr Wiwat Salyakamthorn, president of the Agri-Nature Foundation and the Institute of Sufficiency Economy.
“The network will include Phra Ajarn Sangkom Thanapanyo, who is a specialist in the kok mong na (swale) model in Surin, Jone Jandai, who teamed up with the community to build a water tank using local wisdom in a catchment powered by solar energy, Nathapong Maneekorn from the Church of Christ in Thailand who built a rice paddy terrace, and the Agri-Nature Foundation, which organised the workshops. And of course it will also involve the local people led by the Lop Buri governor and soldiers from the special warfare command unit of Erawan Camp.”
“Lop Buri Province has been taking part in this project since last year but this year we will serve as a host for this project. The most important activity is the learning centre, which is the first in Pa Sak River basin. It is also a new recreation destination and tourism attraction in Lop Buri,” says Lop Buri Governor Panu Yamsri.
“We joined hands with the province and the Royal Irrigation Department to build two ‘monkey cheek’ reservoirs in Huai Kra Tak with a capacity of 1.5-million cubic metres. They are based on the design of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Lat Krabang for a land area of 4,000 rai,” says Major General Thanasak Kengthanomma, of Special Warfare Command Unit of the King Narai Military Camp in Lop Buri.
Designed by Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, the Institute of Sufficiency Economy and the Agri-Nature Foundation, this human-driven project aims to teach everyone about His Majesty the King's theories on water-resource conservation. It has been very successful, with hundreds and volunteers signing up to take part in natural resource management, according to Dr Wiwat Salyakamthorn. The project will run from September 3 and 7 with the participation of Jirayu “Kao” La-Ongmanee, Kemmanij “Pancake” Jamikorn, Pisanu “Boy” Nimsakul and Siwat “Cee” Chotichaicharin.
“Having these celebrities join us helps raise awareness of correct water management”, says Watchara Waewwutthinan, president of JSL Global Media, the country’s leading media content provider.
Celebrity Digging
- The “Power of Human Energy: A Journey Inspired by the King” will be broadcast as part “Joh Jai” showing on Mcot HD Channel 30 every Thursday from November 3 to 17 at 9.05pm.
- Find out more at Facebook.com/ ajourneyinspiredbytheking.
