Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Observes the Operation Progress of Thaharn Phandee Project (The Good Farmer Soldiers) in Buriram Province
On 18 September 2024, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn observed the operation progress of Thaharn Phandee Project (The Good Farmer Soldiers) at 26th Military Special Unit, Ranger Regiment, Ong-at Sukkhai Operations Base and Thaharn Phandee Project (The Good Farmer Soldiers) “Chumchon Bergbarn Aharn Plod Pai” (Happy Community, Healthy Food) at Ban Rat Rak Daen School, Lahan Sai District, Buriram Province.
Since 2021, the 26th Military Special Unit, Ranger Regiment has participated in the Thaharn Phandee Project (The Good Farmer Soldiers), aimed at encouraging soldiers to grow safe, chemical-free vegetables and expand these practices to communities surrounding the military camp. Later, the Regiment joined as a production unit for royally-granted seed production, contributing high-quality vegetable seeds for storage at the royally-granted vegetable seed "Friends for Friends" in the Lower Northeastern region, located at Surathampitak Military Camp in Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
On this occasion, Her Royal Highness observed various activities within the project, for example 4 types of vegetable seeds production i.e. Chakraband Striped Yardlong Bean No.1, Thai Basil, Chao Phraya Eggplant and Ridge Gourd.
Tilapia Fish Farming: This activity includes raising Chitralada Tilapia fish, for which Her Royal Highness donated 40 breeder fish. Over the past year, the unit has distributed a total of 6,000 tilapia fingerlings to networked communities.
Poultry Farming: This includes raising Black-Tailed Pradu Chickens, Yellow-Tailed Chickens, Kabin Buri Ducks, and Barbary Ducks. The Department of Livestock Development contributed 12 Kabin Buri breeder ducks and 200 Kabin Buri ducklings to the “Good Agricultural Soldiers” project of the 26th Ranger Regiment Task Force.
Safe Vegetable Plots: The plots contain seasonal vegetables, year-round crops, vines, and herbs, providing fresh ingredients for meals served to soldiers. Surplus produces are distributed and sold to local communities to ensure that they have safe vegetable for consumption.
Her Majesty then proceeded to “Chumchon Bergbarn Aharn Plod Pai” (Happy Community, Healthy Food) at Ban Rat Rak Dan School. The 26th Ranger Regiment Task Force extended safe vegetable farming practices to the nearby schools. The school has also implemented an “Organic Compost Project,” following guidelines from the center. Students collect dry leaves and grass clippings from around the school as "shares." These shares will be distributed back as the materials decompose into organic compost, which is later sold as soil fertilizer in cultivation plots.
Later, Her Royal Highness observed the vegetable plantation plots, fruit orchards, and students’ safe vegetable-growing projects. Seeds and Black-Tailed Pradu chickens were then graciously given to Ban Ratrakdaen School.
Thanks to Her Royal Highness’s benevolence, the Thai people are assured greater food security and stability.