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Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ)

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Mae Fah Luang Foundation sees the importance of linking and advocating the Thai Alternative Development principles and sustainable development model in forums on criminal justice and rule of law as well as those on narcotic drugs in response to the current global drug issues that affect the economy and society in various dimensions. Mae Fah Luang Foundation representatives joined the Thai government delegation in the 28th CCPCJ in Vienna, Austria, on 20-24 May 2019, and joined the speakers’ panel in the side session on “Fostering a Culture of Lawfulness in Support of the 2030 Agenda” organised by the

Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ). Doi Tung Development Model was raised as a case study to emphasise the importance of empowering the community and creating a culture of regulations that would promote the rule of law and a sustainable solution to crime and drug problems.

Inspiring the Younger Generation through the “DoiTung” Short Film Series

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On 17 May 2019, Mae Fah Luang Foundation launched a series of five short films under the DoiTung brand that reflected the social enterprise concept at Quartier CineArt, 4th floor EmQuartier. They were aimed at inspiring the public and raising awareness of society and the environment, as well as the meaning of social enterprise.

The five short films reflect different perspectives of DoiTung, from the happiness of those within the organisation, their dedication, their love for their work, the opportunities given and taken to create something new, the chance to devote time and development opportunities to create quality pieces of work, and finally, the end result or gain being the happiness from sharing everything with the community and society in a sustainable manner. The short films can be viewed on the DoiTung YouTube channel and the DoiTung Club Facebook page.

Expert Group Meeting on Alternative Development (EGM on AD)

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Mae Fah Luang Foundation hosted the EGM 2019 in conjunction with the governments of Thailand, Germany, Peru and UNODC from 15-17 December 2019 in Chiang Rai. The conference, held consecutively since 2016, aims to create a platform for experts in the field of Alternative Development to exchange perspectives in advocating for the inclusion of important issues into international forums, especially the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). EGM on AD 2019 saw 58 participants comprising government representatives from 14 countries, international organisations, academia, civil society and the private sector. The meeting comprised two parts:

  1. Study visit to Doi Tung Development Project, a globally acclaimed model of Alternative Development which has been scaled up to a level where villagers become entrepreneurs, implement community rules and regulations, and build a circular economy.  
  2. Meeting on Alternative Development, with the following key outcomes:
    • Private sector participation is an important factor in the success and sustainability of Alternative Development. It is necessary to have a suitable private sector partner, with similar visions and operation policies, to jointly assign roles and work procedures in a clear and precise manner.
    • In Alternative Development forums, rule of Law is often linked to the suppression of illicit drug perpetrators. Thailand proposed the concept of community rule of law, where Alternative Development projects cultivate the culture of respect for community rules, such as encouraging communities to set and enforce their own rules alongside existing laws.
    • Today, drugs are not just an issue for rural communities that cultivate illicit crops, but are an urban issue, particularly the use of synthetic drugs. Alternative Development methods and practices should therefore be adapted to address urban drug issues, such as the people-centric approach, listening to the needs of the communities, creating licit livelihoods, addressing the issue of poverty and implementing long-term measures.

The 11th International Influences on Drug Abuse

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M.L. Dispanadda Diskul, CEO of Mae Fah Luang Foundation, was the keynote speaker on the topic “The Future of Alternative Development” at the 11th International Influences on Drug Abuse organised jointly by the Office of Narcotics Control Board, Chulalongkorn University and other alliances to create awareness on the proliferation, prevention and mitigation of drug abuse in Thailand and overseas, to stimulate real implementation, and to develop the potential of researchers, academics and practitioners working in the field of narcotic drugs.

Drug issues have now evolved from narcotic crops to synthetic drugs. Data from UNODC show that narcotic crop cultivation in this region has decreased, while synthetic drug abuse has increased. A total of 26% of trafficking of methamphetamines and Crystal Meth in Thailand is from neighboring countries, resulting in a high mitigation cost of 5,500 million USD.

Drug mitigation normally takes the form of prevention and suppression as a strategic measure. But Alternative Development takes a different perspective, seeing that those who are caught up in the vicious cycle of drug trafficking break the law because they have no choice and no opportunity in life. If poverty still persists, and society does not provide an opportunity for them to have a new life, the problems will remain unsolved. Only if they can be provided with better income opportunities and an improved way of life can the problems be solved in a sustainable manner.

Having implemented projects in the field of Alternative Development, both in Doi Tung Development Project area, other outreach areas in Thailand and abroad for several decades, Mae Fah Luang Foundation has proved that “Alternative Development” can not only solve problems of narcotic crop cultivation–an issue in the past–but also synthetic drugs such as methamphetamines and Crystal Meth, which are major issues today.

DoiTung Showcased Products at Milan Design Week 2019, and retail at La Rinascente in Milan, Italy

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For over 20 years, Mae Fah Luang Foundation has been developing “contemporary Thai textiles” by the artisanal communities on Doi Tung to distinguish them from designs made from natural products, resulting in unique innovations that are eco-friendly and promote a sustainable society. This has gained international repute, and DoiTung brand was therefore invited by the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, to showcase the DoiTung Autumn/Winter 2018-2019 collection at Milan Design Week 2019 from 9-14 April 2019.

DoiTung brand also retailed its Spring/Summer 2019 collection at La Rinascente, one of the world’s top 13 department stores in Milan, Italy, from 16-29 April 2019.

Mae Fah Luang Foundation and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar jointly inaugurated the Nam Moei Check Dam at Mong Lin, Tachileik Township, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, to address flood and drought issues

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On 4 April 2019, M.L. Dispanadda Diskul, CEO of Mae Fah Luang Foundation, together with Tachileik Township, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, inaugurated the Nam Moei Check Dam to combat flood and drought for the benefit of villagers and farmers, to provide them with year-round access to water, and to develop the area’s potential as a travel destination to create a sustainable income. Also attending the event, which took place at Mong Lin, Tachileik Township, Republic of

the Union of Myanmar, were representatives of the government sector, ONCB, the private sector and the general public. The Nam Moei Check Dam was a collaborative effort between the people of Mong Lin, with Mae Fah Luang Foundation providing the know-how, technical support, materials and equipment based on King Rama IX’s development principles using the people-centric approach. Local villagers need to play a participatory role at every stage of the project, starting with declaring their problems and needs, designing the project and implementing the development programme by themselves in order to create a sense of ownership, so they can eventually scale up and expand the development project on their own in the future beyond the project’s completion. The check dam has been successful in alleviating the flood problems that the people of Mong Lin had been facing for several years. During the dry months, the check dam will enable villagers to collect water for household use as well as for farming, increasing yield and

crops, as well as their annual income. It also has the potential to be developed into a new travel destination.

Workshop to Drive the Integrated Northern Border Drug Mitigation Operation Plan (2019-2022)

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M.R. Disnadda Diskul, Chairman of Mae Fah Luang Foundation, attended the Workshop to Drive the Integrated Northern Border Drug Mitigation Operation Plan (2019-2022) which was presided over by ACM Prachin Chantong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, in his capacity as Director of the National Command Centre for Drugs. He laid down policies and guidelines on driving the seven strategies of the plan to ensure action is taken effectively by the relevant units. The workshop, which took place on Friday 29 March 2019 at the Grand View 1 Hall, Chiang Mai

Grand View hotel, Muang District, Chiang Mai Province, was attended by 250 participants from four northern border provinces – Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son and Phayao.

The 6th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD)

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On 28 March 2019, Mae Fah Luang Foundation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Social Enterprise Association and Asian Venture Philanthropy Network jointly hosted a side session during the APFSD on the topic “Leveraging Partnership for Empowering People and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality: Role of Private Sector and Civil Society in Achieving SDGs”, which was attended by over 70 people.

Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)

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Representatives from Mae Fah Luang Foundation have continuously joined the Thai government delegation at the CND to advocate for the Thai Sustainable Alternative Development model at international level. During the 62nd Session of the CND conference in Vienna, Austria, from 14-22 March 2019, Mae Fah Luang representatives played the following roles:

  • Supporting the Thai government in advocating the resolution on Alternative Development in Vienna, Austria, hosted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the governments of Thailand, Germany, Peru, and Mae Fah Luang Foundation following the resolution of the 61st CND.
  • Supporting the governments of Thailand, Germany, Austria, Colombia, Peru, EU and UNODC to host “The Future of Alternative Development” side session. Guest speakers included ACM Prachin Chantong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice. The session was attended by over 150 participants.
  • Supporting the London School of Economics and Politicial Science (LSE) and the German development agency GIZ to host a side session and joined the speakers’ panel on the topic “Understanding the Development Implications of Illicit Economies” which was attended by over 60 participants.