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Annual Report 2021
Mae Fah Luang Foundation and SEC Innovate Carbon Credit Offsetting Project to Combat Climate Change
Mae Fah Luang Foundation and the Securities and Exchange Commission have jointly initiated the “You Care For Forests, We Care For You” project together with civil society in four provinces to produce carbon credits for sale to the business sector. The project is also expanding to cover 300,000 rai around the country to increase income for local communities and offset climate change.
M.L. Dispanadda Diskul, CEO of Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage, revealed that the “You Care For Forests, We Care For You” project is a pilot project that implements carbon offsetting mechanisms in the forest as part of sustainable development efforts. It was initiated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Mae Fah Luang Foundation in an effort to merge community development and forest conservation to reduce greenhouse gases emissions in Thailand.
This project has been in operation for 15 months in conjunction with 16 forest communities in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Phayao provinces, covering an area of 19,611 rai. A total of 9,166 villagers have benefited from the project which has received support from various sectors, since it helps to reduce environmental impact, with clear advantages to the communities, the private sector and the country as a whole. It targets communities covered by the Community Forest Act B.E. 2562 so they have an alternative livelihood and a stable lifestyle while protecting the forests. It is expected that a total of 392,220 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent will be produced from 16 community forests in the 20-year period.
“Thailand’s greenhouse gas emission is ranked at 12th in the world, or over 300 million tons per year, which puts the country at greater risk of severe impacts of climate change,” said M.L. Dispanadda. “Furthermore, greenhouse gas is becoming a factor in world trade, so if we do not address the issue quickly, we will definitely suffer the consequences.”
Each community forest that signs up for the program has to pass all standard requirements in order to register for the Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction Program (T-VER) under the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization, with independent monitoring units.
“These communities are provided with information on how to protect forests to evaluate the amount of carbon credits that can be exchanged in the future. There is also a fund to support new livelihoods that are initiated by the communities themselves, so that forest conservation contributes to improved well-being. The participating private sector organizations will then contribute to developing human potential, supporting community forest conservation efforts, and receive carbon credits to offset their greenhouse gas emissions.”
The community forest pilot project in four provinces has received the support of seven organizations, namely the Securities and Exchange Commission, Thai Beverage PCL, Intouch Holding Co., Ltd., TMT Steel PCL, Siam Commercial Bank PCL, PricewaterhouseCoopers Co., Ltd., and PTG Energy PCL, who jointly contributed 43 million baht to lay the foundation for the communities over the 6-year period.
Part of the budget will go towards the geographic information system (GIS) and field work, setting up model T-VER plots to evaluate carbon credits, and organizing community training workshops. Another part will go towards a forest conservation fund and a quality of life development fund. Currently, the communities have already formed five new livelihood groups, such as making utensils from leaves, bamboo basketry, organic fertilizers, and a central market for community products.
Since the global community has started using environmental standards as a criteria in conducting world trade, it is estimated that the price of carbon credits will increase over the next 10 years. Mae Fah Luang Foundation has therefore taken its pilot project a step further, putting it into action together with another 33 communities covering an area of 32,500 rai in Chiang Mai, Kamphaeng Phet, Uthai Thani and Krabi provinces from 2021-2022, with plans to expand to 150,000 rai of community forests by 2023. It is estimated that those combined community forests will be able to capture about 2.8 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent of greenhouse gases, creating an income of 840 million baht for the communities over 20 years.
There are also ongoing efforts to expand forest carbon programs throughout the country in conjunction with various units under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, such as the Department of Forestry, the Department of National Parks, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources and the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization.
“The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is very invested in this program, and have same viewpoint on the matter. Therefore, we are working not only with the communities but also with the Ministry to improve our field access under the auspices of the Ministry in order to ensure than the carbon credit system is sound and valid.”
M.L. Dispanadda went on to explain that the decisive factor that will lead towards success is the cooperation of all sectors as well as the communities that protect the forests.
“Mike Berners-Lee, an expert in greenhouse gas foot-printing, said that one hour of mobile phone usage per person per day contributes 63 kgs of carbon a year. If you calculate all the mobile phones in the world, and the amount of time used each day, that’s a massive amount of carbon emission. We all play a part in impacting the environment, and we can all participate in solving the problem too.”
Organizations and individuals who wish to support the “You Care For Forests, We Care For You” project are invited to donate 2,500 baht per rai (for the duration of the 6-year program). For further details, contact email: decarbonization@doitung.org
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Visits Doi Tung Development Project
On 17 February 2022, at 8:30am, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited the Tea Oil Crops Research and Development Project in Thoet Thai Sub-district, Mae Fah Luang District, Chiang Rai Province. On hand to welcome the Princess were Mr. Phassakorn Boonyalak, Governor of Chiang Rai Province; Mr. Veerathai Santiprabhob, Secretary-General of Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage; and M.L. Dispanadda Diskul, CEO of Mae Fah Luang Foundation.
Mr. Boonchob Suthamanuswong, Manager of the Tea Oil Project, delivered a report on the project’s operations for 2021. The project yielded 123 tons of tea oil earning a total income of over three million baht for the villagers. This was the result of improving the variety and increasing the output of 41,703 trees, as well as grafting tea oil trees for farmers in 671 plots. Then Mr. Wongsakorn Chemeu, one of the project’s model farmers, delivered his report on how he improved his tea oil crop culture methods and knowledge-sharing with other farmers.
Mae Fah Luang Foundation has been operating the tea oil project in conjunction with the Chaipattana Foundation since 2006 in response to the royal initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn who saw the commercial potential of tea oil crops that could provide a stable and long-term income for villagers. The project acquired tea oil tree seeds and saplings from China which were planted on an experimental basis in two areas with degraded forests in Chiang Rai—Pang Mahan and Puna villages in Thoet Thai Sub-district, Mae Fah Luang District—totaling 3,417 rai. Today, the project has a total of 480,263 tea oil trees.
Mae Fah Luang Foundation also promotes other livelihoods for the local communities including raising Meishan pigs, black bone chickens, and planting alternative crops such as Assam tea, chilis, and lemongrass in their cultivation areas.
At 9:25am, the Princess arrived at Phya Phrai Traimitr School, where Ms. Narumol Suthum, Mae Fah Luang Foundation’s Community Relations officer, delivered a report on the operations of the promotion and development of community handicrafts activities for the year 2021. A total of 27 local villagers attended the skills training workshop, and over 14,000 handicraft items were produced, earning a total of 140,000 baht. The Princess then viewed samples of handicrafts by the villagers of Ban Huai Uen and Ban Mae Kham Noi villages who were on hand to greet the Princess.
At 10:10am, the Princess arrived at the Tea Oil Crop Research and Development Project office in Pang Mahan, where she watered and fertilized the tea oil tree that she grafted on 15 February 2018. The Princess then planted a red tea-oil camellia and a tea oil tree from Guangxi autonomous region in China.
Mr. Boonchob Suthamanuswong, Manager of the Tea Oil Project, and Mr. Thiraphan Tothirakul, Manager of the Plant Research and Development Division, Mae Fah Luang Foundation, delivered a report on the progress of the red tea oil camellias crops, and the research conducted on each variety. Mr. Ja-Er Sae Hu, one of the model farmers in the Tea Oil Project, also delivered a report on his improved tea oil crop cultivation methods.
At 1:45pm, the Princess arrived at Ban Pa Sang Na Ngern School, Ban Pa Sang Na Ngern Village, Mae Fah Luang Sub-district, Mae Fah Luang District, where she was welcomed by Thanphuying Putrie Viravaidya, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mae Fah Luang Foundation; Mr. Veerathai Santiprabhob, Secretary-General; and Khunying Puangroi Diskul na Ayudhaya, member of the board. The Princess chaired a meeting for the School Development Project in the vicinity of Doi Tung Development Project and outreach areas in Mae Fah Luang District for the academic year 2021. Operation results for 2021 covered the following topics:
- Progress of the Montessori teaching approach in early childhood education level.
- Progress of Thai language classes for children whose first language is not Thai in 36 schools in the Doi Tung Development Project area and outreach areas in Mae Fah Luang District, as well as the implementation of a curriculum that caters to the diverse needs of the local children in conjunction with St Andrew’s International School
- Progress of Thai language reading classes in conjunction with the Sirindhorn Thai Language Institute, Chulalongkorn University, for Prathom 4-6 levels
- Progress of the basic vocational skills training for Mathayom level pupils.
Furthermore, the Princess was briefed on the results of research and assessment of children with learning disabilities in Mae Fah Luang District, as well as the integration of 5G technology at knowledge centers in conjunction with True Corporation Public Company Limited.
The Princess then observed the work of pupils under the Project-Based Learning approach, the Zero Waste project at Ban Kha Yang Pattana School which received third prize in the 2021 National Zero Waste Community Project, the exhibition by the basic agriculture, food and handicraft vocational training workshops, Thai language teaching demonstrations for Prathom 1-3 pupils who have difficulty learning the Thai language, and demonstrations on the Thai language syllabus for Prathom 4-6.
Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati Visits Roi Jai Rak Project in Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai Province
On 5 January 2022, Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati visited the Roi Jai Rak Project in Tha Ton Sub-district, Mai Ai District, Chiang Mai Province, where she met with villagers within the project area.
Roi Jai Rak Project is an integrated project conducted jointly by local government offices, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage, to implement sustainable alternative livelihood development to combat narcotic issues in the area. The project served to offer opportunities and alternative legitimate livelihoods to the villagers based on their geo-social environment, building on existing folk wisdom, creating value-added, as well as targeting education and youth development, and the restoration of natural resources. This would allow the community to access basic public amenities such as public health services, water for use and consumption, a quality education, a legitimate livelihood that could support their families, protect the forests and also provide a sustainable and quality lifestyle.
Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage Holds 8th Colors of Doi Tung Festival Using AR Nature Therapy to Relieve Post-Covid Stress
To bring happiness and goodwill at the end of the year, Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage, together with Thai Beverage Public Company Limited (ThaiBev), invite the public to visit the 8th Colors of Doi Tung Festival. Held under the theme “Forward to Nature”, the festival brings visitors into the embrace of the mountains to experience the cold air and hill tribe cultures once again after an extended break due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a highlight this year, visitors will be able to take back with them good memories of their trip through Augmented Reality (AR) technology.
The festival will be held every weekend and public holiday from 3 December 2021 – 30 January 2022, from 8am-6pm at Doi Tung Development Project, Chiang Rai Province. It was officially opened in the presence of numerous guests of honor including deputy provincial governor Narong Rojanasothorn, Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion Chantira Yimrewat Wiwatrat. Busakorn Trisawat of SCB, Pawinee Chaiyasit of ThaiBev, Montha Kitima of Chiang Rai’s Sports and Tourism Office, and Wisut Buachum of the TAT office in Chiang Rai.
Narong Apichai, Director of the Development Operations, Mae Fah Luang Foundation, remarked that the Covid-19 pandemic of the past two years has affected not only the Thai people but also the global community. It has led to reduced social interaction and travel in an attempt to curb risks from the spread of the virus. It was only when the situation improved that Thailand began to receive overseas visitors again. Similarly, Doi Tung Development Project in Chiang Rai has also been able to welcome visitors to the 8th Colors of Doi Tung Festival to promote community entrepreneurship and cultural tourism.
“We believe that the lush natural environment of the area, the unique hill tribe cultures, and the hospitality of the Doi Tung community will help to heal the spirits of the Thai and foreign visitors who have suffered as a result of Covid-19 over the past two years, helping them find happiness in the midst of the fresh mountain climate. Local entrepreneurs will also be able to upgrade their skills and feel a sense of pride in providing a warm welcome to visitors with their products and services, bringing smiles to everyone’s faces. Doi Tung Development Project not only hopes to create a memorable experience for all visitors to the fair, it also places great emphasis on the safety of all visitors by ensuring everyone that all safety measures according to guidelines of the Ministry of Public Health have been implemented to minimize the risk of spreading or contracting the virus.”
This year, not only does the festival offer all the usual experiences from the beautiful scenery, culinary selections, handicrafts and cultural performances, it has also introduced a new feature that will appeal to the younger generation in the form of photo backdrops using Augmented Reality (AR). Visitors can take pictures of themselves with Toh, the cartoon animal, via an AR application set in various mountains landscapes and the festival area. These include Orange Toh for Good Fortune, Pink Toh for True Love, Gold Toh for Prosperity, Blue Toh for Happiness and Good Luck, according to hill tribe beliefs. This will help visitors to relive their happy experiences at the festival after they go home, and recharge their energy endlessly in their New Normal lifestyle of social distancing. This festival has been kindly supported by ThaiBev, Siam Commercial Bank, SCG Foundation, and Bangkok Dusit Medical Services.
Enjoy the 8th Colors of Doi Tung Festival every weekend and public holiday, from 8am-6pm, from December 2021 to January 2022 at Doi Tung Development Project, Chiang Rai Province.
Keep updated with news and activities on the 8th Colors of Doi Tung Festival at www.facebook.com/DoiTungClub; Tel: 02-252-7114 or 053-767-105—7.
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn chairs Mae Fah Luang Foundation Board Meeting 1/2021
The Board of Directors of Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage held its first meeting of 2021, chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in her capacity as Honorary President, on 17 February 2021 at Srapathum Palace.
Three changes in the board of directors were approved during the meeting:
- MR Disnadda Diskul (right), from Chairman of the Board of Directors to Chairman of the Foundation’s Advisory Committee.
- Thanpuying Putrie Viravaidya (centre), from Secretary-General of the Board of Directors and Chairperson of the Executive Committee, to Chairman of the Board of Directors.
- Dr Veerathai Santiprabhob (left), from Director to Secretary-General and Chairman of the Executive Committee.
The appointment of Dr Veerathai was a welcome decision, as the Foundation would now have a very capable executive from the younger generation in a leadership position to continue working for the benefit of the people since the establishment of the Foundation in 1972.
Mae Fah Luang Foundation organizes 7th Colors of Doi Tung Festival ethnic street market of food, fun and fresh air
Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage sent off the old year with the 7th Colors of Doi Tung festival, highlighting the crisp climate of the mountain region and the warm hill tribe hospitality of the Doi Tung communities. The event, which was held every weekend and public holiday from 4 December 2020 to 31 January 2021, from 8am to 6pm, at Doi Tung Development Project, Chiang Rai Province, was aimed at encouraging local communities to develop their potential and learn the process of community enterprise that would help them become self-sufficient while preserving the indigenous culture of the six ethnic minorities in the area, namely Akha, Lahu, Shan, Tai Lue, Tai Lua and Yunnanese Chinese or Haw. The opening ceremony was held amidst a cordial atmosphere with safety measures also implemented. Guests of honour included Phasadate Hongladarom, Deputy Governor of Chiang Rai; Chantira Jimreivat Vivatrat. President of SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand and Advisor to Thai Beverage Public Company Limited; Phongphan Jeanwiriyapan, Director of Pracharath Rak Samakkee (Thailand) Co Ltd, and Advisor to Thai Beverage Public Company Limited; Dr Wanchai Laukanjanarat, Deputy Director of Bangkok Hospital Chiangrai; Tieamjan Pancharoen, Deputy Director of Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport; Karuna Dechatiwong, Director of TAT office Chiang Rai; and Col Somjetta Pakdeebundit, Deputy Commander 37th Military District.
ML Dispanadda Diskul, CEO of Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage, remarked, “As a result of the unusual circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic that has adversely affected businesses particularly the tourism industry, Mae Fah Luang Foundation feels an even greater urgency to hold the See San Doi Tung Fair as a way of bringing happiness and moral support to the Thai people, as well as stimulating the economy, bringing it back to life. It will also help to increase income earning opportunities in the travel industry for Doi Tung communities, especially if the situation improves and domestic travel is safe once again, and Thai people can support one another. That’s the reason behind the 7th Colors of Doi Tung Festival.
“The 7th See San Doi Tung Fair is held under the theme “Home Full of Love”, as Thailand is like our home, while Doi Tung is the home of the local people. We would like visitors to enjoy their love and hospitality as they present quality products and memorable experiences. Not only is there a sense of love for the venue, the visitors and the communities, Mae Fah Luang Foundation also extends its love to the environment by designing activities and products under the concept of circular economy, as well as carbon offsetting practices in order that the fair can truly be a Carbon Neutral Event, with Zero Waste to Landfill. The event this year has been sponsored by Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, Siam Commercial Bank Public Company Limited, SCG Foundation, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) and Bangchak Corporation.”
The fair was divided into different zones: Check-in Photo Zone with landscaped backdrops of Mae Fah Luang Garden filled with hundreds of flower varieties such as geraniums, Lady’s Slipper orchids, Phalaenopsis orchids propagated by Doi Tung Development Project and, most popular of all, the Clover Leaf of Love gate, symbolizing the warm welcome and good luck wishes for all visitors. A popular photo op was “To”, the mascot of Shan legends. Visitors also enjoyed chilling to music and performances by ethnic communities around the fair, which created a feeling of happiness and relaxation, as if they were back in the warmth of their own home.
Foodies enjoyed the Food Zone, with various hill tribe family menus such as Lua black chicken soup, Yam Khao Fuen or spicy chickpea tofu salad – a Shan specialty. There were special sweets perfect for the winter months such as grilled Khao Puk rice cakes sprinkled with bamboo sugar, or contemporary hill tribe menus from Krua Tamnak Restaurant created just for the See San Doi Tung fair such as Spaghetti with Chinese chive roots, Fried chicken with ma-khwaen herbs, Spicy watercress salad with shredded chicken, Yunnan style fresh egg noodles with black chicken stock, Khao Sod Chuen or rice mixed with various grains from the farms of Doi Tung. The highlighted dessert was Macadamia soufflé and Phu Lae pineapple crumble.
A favorite for shopaholics was the Handicrafts Zone with assorted traditional and contemporary fashion products handmade by the hill tribes, handicrafts with unique, environmentally-friendly designs at the DoiTung Lifestyle Shop. There were also interesting workshops such as ceramic sculpting conducted by Doi Tung’s artisans, and participants could take home their handiwork as souvenirs; or making postcards from leaves and dried flowers from the Mae Fah Luang Garden for a personalized gift.
For the more energetic, there was the Activity Zone. The fresh air on Doi Tung was perfect for the DoiTung Tree Top Walk hanging 30m above the ground, the Formula Doi race track, or walking on stilts.
Visitors also took advantage of the cold fresh air to enjoy the mists and rare flowers at the Mae Fah Luang Arboretum on Doi Chang Moop at the highest point of Doi Tung on the Nang Non mountain range. Here, visitors enjoyed a panoramic view of the mountain range that borders Thailand and Myanmar. This is also the home of red Rhododendron arboreum and other rhododendron varieties. Visitors enjoyed the services of the young Doi Tung guides, and checked-in at the scenic location of Doi Taek Faidee Café, with coffee made by young baristas, in a setting surrounded by flowers. Hill tribe costumes were available for rent to create the total authentic look. There were free shuttles every hour from the fair to Doi Chang Moop, only during the fair period.
The organizers took extra preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19 in addition to the regular precautionary measures. All service areas and equipment, as well as all items regularly touched were disinfected every three hours, all tourist areas were sprayed with disinfectant every evening, with UV sterilization in enclosed areas every evening, and strict social distancing rules enforced.