On December 15, 2023, Mr. Suttipong Juljarern, Permanent Secretary for Interior, presided over the opening of World Soil Day 2023 - 2024 activities under the concept of "Sustainable Soil and Water for better life", together with the executives of the Ministry of Interior and network partners in Mae Chaem District, totalling more than 1,400 people. Including, Phrakru Mongkolwisit; The abbot of Buppharam Temple, Phrakru Wirakit Sunthon; The abbot of Ban Chiang Temple, Phrakru Wisutpanyakhun; The abbot of Phra That Chang Kheng Temple and other monks participated in this activity.
On this occasion, Mr. Suttipong Juljarern, Permanent Secretary for Interior, along with Mr. Surapol Kietchaiyakorn; Advisor to the Minister of Culture, Asst. Prof.Pichet Sowittayasakun; Advisor to the Permanent Secretary for Interior, Mr. Chatchawan Panya; Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai Province, Mr. Surawut Channgarm; Mae Chaem District Chief, leading the march for the "MOI’s World Soil Day" campaign on the southern route "Forest Worship" from Phra That Chang Kheng Temple to Mae Chaem District Office.
At the same time, Mr. Pongrat Piromrat; Director General of the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, Mr. Chaiwat Junthirapong; Director General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, representatives of the Provincial Electricity Authority, and representatives of the Wastewater Management Authority led the procession on the northern route. "Soil Conservation" from Ban Chiang Temple to Mae Chaem District Office.
In addition, Mr. Kajohn Srichawanothai; Director General of the Department of Local Administration, Mr. Witoon Nuannukul; Deputy Director General of the Community Development Department, along with representatives of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and representatives of the Marketing Organisation, led the procession on the eastern route "Know-Love-Harmony” from Buppharam Temple to Mae Chaem District Office.
And Mr. Unsit Sampuntharat; Director General of the Department of Provincial Administration, Mr. Buntham Khopaiboonsakul; Deputy Director General of the Department of Lands, along with representatives of the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority and representatives of the Provincial Waterworks Authority, led the procession on the western route "Conserve water" from the Tin Chok Handicraft Center to the Mae Chaem District Office.
Mr. Suttipong Juljarern, Permanent Secretary for Interior, gave opening remarks at MOI's World Soil Day 2023 - 2024 under the theme of “Sustainable Soil and Water for Better Life”. He said that Mae Chaem people are role models with a public mind by embracing the royal wishes of His Majesty the King to do good without expecting anything in return. As His Majesty graciously established a volunteer school 904 for doing good deeds with our hearts, it has inspired all Mae Chaem people to make personal sacrifices for the greater good. So that communities, sub-districts, villages, and citizens can have a good and sustainable quality of life. In the past 3 - 4 years, to build a sustainable water management system, Mae Chaem people have worked together to develop the watershed areas in Mae Chaem District by creating a check dam. As a result, there is a space of happiness from the balance of nature. Currently, there are 106,000 completed check dams, which were built without using government funding. If calculated from a wage rate of 300 baht/person/day, the government will save up to 300 million baht in the budget so that this money can be used to improve the quality of life of underprivileged people.
"Mae Chaem people are dedicated volunteers because everyone has always sacrificed for the common good by working together to preserve the forest through forest ordination. When trees are preserved, the soil, water, and air are fertile. Resulting in having a good quality of life and letting our world be happy and peaceful. As the village headman told at Chang Kheng Temple, in 2022 he ordained
over 40 acres of forest, in 2023 it increased to over 240 acres, and in 2024 he will make every village have a fertile forest. It is a community forest that will benefit everyone and help solve the global warming problem. This shows that Mae Chaem people follow in the footsteps of His Majesty the King's royal wish, which is to strive to ‘Make a stable country, so people are happy. Correcting the wrong thing. Continuing in the royal wishes under the philosophy of Sufficiency Economy’, creating substantial and sustainable success. This is the reason why the Ministry of Interior has chosen the Mae Chaem District as the first auspicious area to build motivation for the entire nation. Under the direction of the Director-General, Executives of state enterprise agencies and King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, with Asst. Prof.Pichet Sowittayasakun; Advisor to the Permanent Secretary for Interior, Academic network partner who visited Mae Chaem District 14 times. Along with religious network partners who embrace the royal guidance of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great to take care of the forests in Samoeng District until it was successful, which can reduce hotspots,” said Mr. Suttipong.
Mr. Suttipong Juljarern, the Permanent Secretary for Interior, expressed our profound commitment to His Majesty the King's vision of fostering happiness among the people, facilitating collaborative problem-solving, and perpetuating the principles of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy in our daily lives. This dedication resonates with the esteemed legacy of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, recognised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), which commemorates December 5th, His Majesty's birthday, as "World Soil Day", a globally significant occasion. This meaningful designation reflects His Majesty's innovative and inspirational leadership, guiding us to recognise the vital importance of "soil" not merely as ground to tread upon but as a source of sustenance. The soil, contributing to the possibility of leading a normal and joyful life, necessitates our collective efforts to rectify past missteps. It calls for nurturing the soil, eschewing insecticides and refraining from the use of soil-damaging machinery. Failure to protect Mother Earth, the soil we depend on for our livelihoods, can lead to irreversible harm, akin to a form of ecological cancer, rendering it incapable of producing the food we need. On this momentous "World Soil Day," we extend an invitation to all, urging
collaboration and collective action. Drawing inspiration from the admirable practices of the Mae Chaem people, let us together care for and nurture the soil, forests, water, and air, ensuring their quality for the betterment of all lives in a sustainable manner. "World Soil Day" serves as our starting point, not driven by a desire for rewards but by the aspiration for unified and environmentally friendly living. The community of Mae Chaem, exemplified by the Chang Kheng Temple, underscores the indispensability of forests. They play a pivotal role in making the soil fertile, regulating rainfall, maintaining soil moisture, and acting as underground water banks through tree roots. This continuous water flow, essential for combatting dust, smog, and PM 2.5 pollution, also supports the preparation of herbal medicine. Looking ahead, the Permanent Secretary for Interior will facilitate the publication of a textbook on traditional medicine in Mae Chaem District, transitioning from the Lanna script to Thai. Emphasising the value of pristine water sources, we implore everyone to refrain from littering, avoid discharging waste water from boats into water sources, and abstain from using harmful chemicals and insecticides.
"With the wisdom, affection, and unity demonstrated by the resilient Mae Chaem community under the guidance of revered clergy leaders and our collaborative network partners, we witness the formidable strength that emanates from the intertwining of tens of thousands of bamboo branches, surpassing even the resilience of iron rods. This remarkable unity serves as an auspicious commencement for our collective endeavour to kicks off MOI’s World Soil Day 2023 - 2024 activities under the theme of "Sustainable Soil and Water for better life". We extend a heartfelt invitation to all to join hands in this noble initiative, fostering good deeds that echo the principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship throughout the entirety of 2024. This endeavour stands as a token of our gratitude for the benevolence of His Majesty and as a mark of honour on the Celebration on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua's 72nd Birthday Anniversary, 28 July 2024" added Mr. Suttipong.
Then, Mr. Suttipong Juljarern, the Permanent Secretary for Interior, eloquently conveyed the purpose behind the grand vision for MOI’s World Soil Day 2023 - 2024.
Under the enlightening theme of "Sustainable Soil and Water for a Better Life," he expounded, "Our commitment involves upholding the royal science, aligning with guidelines for the holistic development of our regions in accordance with the principles of “Sustainable Agronomy”. This is aimed at nurturing our soil and water resources in a sustainable manner, ensuring the enduring fertility of both elements and cultivating a harmonious ecosystem. To fostering a balanced and quality way of life, emphasising the work dimension of "healing suffering, nourishing happiness" in an integrated and sustainable approach. We are resolute in expanding the positive outcomes and propelling the Power of the Land Network partners toward the achievement of sustainable development goals."
Mr. Surawut Chan-ngam, the Chief of Mae Chaem District, proudly announced the initiation of a captivating kick-off event for MOI's World Soil Day 2023. The festivities commenced with a vibrant march, a jubilant celebration, and a resounding declaration of purpose. A remarkable assembly of 1,500 participants joined in this momentous activity, concurrently heralding the triumph of the Remembrance Project. In homage to the profound grace bestowed by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and His Majesty the King, the district wholeheartedly embraced the royal initiative "From the Sky, through the Mountains, to the Rivers" An impressive testament to this commitment was the construction of check dams from natural materials in 106 villages. A thousand such check dams adorned each village, culminating in a grand total of 106,000 check dams. This colossal effort stood as a symbol of reverence for His Majesty the King, showcasing the unwavering dedication to the initiative Thotsamaharaja, continuing the legacy of Chanakathibet Damri. The event further featured an enlightening exhibition spotlighting Geographic Information System for spatial management: Maechaem Portal. Attendees were treated to a vibrant market stall, adorned with offerings from local entrepreneurs in the Mae Chaem District. Notable among these were coffee growers, champions of safe vegetables and fruits, and artisans presenting a variety of OTOP products and tribal creations.
The proclamation by the United Nations designating December 5th as World Soil Day stands as a global acknowledgment, a collective commitment to recognising the pivotal role of soil in our shared existence. This annual celebration is a tribute to the esteemed legacy of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose visionary leadership has left an indelible mark on the sustainable development and conservation of soil resources. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, in his foresight, outlined a profound vision and royal duties dedicated to the enduring welfare of our environment. His commitment to sustainable development aligns harmoniously with the principles encapsulated in the Global Soil Partnership's chosen theme for World Soil Day 2023: "Soil and Water: A Source of Life." This theme underscores the interconnected relationship between soil and water resources, emphasising their mutual support and reliance. The imperative to protect and sustainably manage these precious resources emerges as a linchpin for ensuring food security, environmental and ecological sustainability, and the overall enhancement of the quality of life for both humans and animals.
Information Division
18 Dec 2023