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The projects at the rural development centres also reflect His Majesty’s scientific mind and his
commitment to giving his people tried and tested solutions. An advocate of integrated farming,
His Majesty is for example, testing the maximisation of land use.

The concerns of His Majesty, go beyond money terms,” said Dr Sumet Tantivechakul,
Secretary General of the Office of the Board of Royal Development. His Majesty wants
his development study centres to be places where government officials can learn to
work together as a team. He has also warned that economic development without
self-sufficiency and empowerment, stands on shaky ground, and has often repeated his
message of respecting the people’s way of life to government officials. “Go to the people.
Listen to them. Learn from the locals.”

His Majesty’s preferences for work flexibility and single management are difficult to reconcile
with the entrenched mainstream budgetary system and bureaucratic traditions. His “small is
beautiful” concept also contradicts the existing work evaluation system which rewards officials
in relation to the size of projects for which they are responsible--the bigger the project, the bigger
the reward. His power to inspire officials however, remains an important force for change.

And the essence of His Majesty’s ability to inspire his people is epitomised in the remarks of a
junior official at Huay Hong Krai who said, “Other high-ranking officials who come to visit
our centre mostly pay attention to appearances, such as the height of the trees or the look of the
landscape.”

“When I saw the King kneeling down on the muddy ground to admire the rich soil, I knew our
country has got the best and most resourceful leader. And I will continue to work for him no
matter what.”