On Thursday, 3rd of October, 2019, the MRDM program students traveled 12 hrs from Khon Kaen to Chiang Rai by school van for the last field trip of the first semester. According to these students, this field trip was brilliant and fascinating.
October 4th was the first day of this field trip. Led by Assoc.Prof. Dr. Somsak Srisontisuk, the students started very early in the morning visiting Doi Tung Development Project (DTDP). DTDP is one of the flagship projects of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation, and was established in 1988 by the Princess Mother on Doi Tung, a high mountain in Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand. Doi Tung was once a secluded area in the heart of the Golden Triangle—a leading region of illicit world opium production. The problems of Doi Tung were complex. The watershed area was denuded by slash and burn cultivation, and further accelerated by opium growing. The residents were of six ethnic groups without Thai citizenship. During the Princess Mother’s first visit in 1987, Doi Tung was then just barren hills. The Princess Mother decided to improve the conditions of Doi Tung, socially, economically, and environmentally. MRDM students have learned a lot of things from this royal project. Also they were enormously inspired by the museum of Toi Tung, which is called “The Hall of Inspiration”. Toi Tung shows the characters, philosophies, and working principles of the family, including their efforts to find ways to improve the lives and livelihoods of the Thai people in all corners of the Kingdom through simple, practical and effective means. The student also visited the handicraft shop, paper mill, pottery factory, coffee mill, etc.
The second day, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somsak Srisontisuk, the students visited Wat Phrathat Mae Chedi (OTOP), in Wiang Pa Pao district, Chiang Rai province. Wat Phrathat Mae Chedi is an interesting temple in Chiang Rai, which includes a museum of ancient artifacts and amulets. The museum is the main highlight of the temple, offering future generations the opportunity to learn about their history. There are many ancient, rare, and valuable exhibits within the museum. This temple also has many activities including demonstrating how to process the tea and allowing the students to practice making the tea. The Thai tea has a soft, slightly sweet taste and is for sale in the gift shop.
In the afternoon, the students went to Huai Hong Khrai Royal Development Study Centre which was established on December 11, 1982, at Doi Saket District in Chiang Mai Province. Formerly, there had been severe forest fires leading to deforestation and widespread drought. The Centre specializes in conducting studies and research on projects such as forest development by cultivating three types of trees for three benefits, including economic, fruit and firewood. A fourth benefit is the conservation of soil and water to increase moisture by irrigation systems, to channel the rains and control dams to maintain water levels and establishing wet fire breaks.
The third day, the students visited Mae Kampong village, about 50 km northeast of Chiang Mai. This village is a community based on tourism in a scenic mountain setting. Our MRDM students met with the village leader to learn about the village’s history, and how it was transformed from a poor unknown village to a very popular and attractive tourist spot, and how they manage the village.
October 7th , 2019 was the final day for the MRDM field trip, as the big adventure to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai indeed with the students returning home to Khon Kaen on the school van.
It was meaningful and wonderful trip which the students will cherish in their hearts forever.
News By Assoc.Prof. Somsak Srisontisuk, Ph.D.
