A LEARNING JOURNEY ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY IN THAILAND: HOLISTIC SOLUTIONS FOR TODAY’S MULTIPLE CRISES

"You, you may sayI'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one"

Ajarn Yak, the founder of Mab Ueang Natural Agriculture Center, recalled these lyrics from Imagine by John Lennon during the opening ceremony of World Soil Day. He cited this song in the context of today’s escalating global environmental issues — particularly soil degradation and desertification. These issues have also led to severe underground water pollution and shortages, resulting in a lack of clean water for daily use, not to mention for other economic activities.

The dream shared by those present at Mab Ueang that day was a vision of a sustainable world — one where true abundance is regenerated, where the relationship between people and nature is harmonious, where deep connections are formed, all built upon fertile land and plentiful clean water sources.

World Soil Day was a part of the training program “Sufficiency Economy Philosophy: Good Land, Peaceful Soul II”, held from December 1–14, 2024, in Thailand. Over these 14 days, participants had the opportunity to learn about the origins of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), its applications, and the holistic solutions SEP offers in response to today’s multiple global crises. The program also allowed us to witness real results after many years of applying SEP across different regions in Thailand.

Mab Ueang is the first natural agriculture center established in Chon Buri Province, in south-central Thailand. This area was chosen to pilot SEP to prove that it is a practical and accessible solution for anyone.

Chon Buri is well-known for its tourism development and industrialization policies, which have resulted in severe land degradation and soil impoverishment. The land where Mab Ueang now stands was once used for pig farming and sugarcane monoculture — arguably the worst possible conditions to begin experimenting with land, water, and forest restoration. Yet after more than 30 years of implementing SEP, Mab Ueang has become a model for demonstrating the effectiveness of this philosophy. From dead land, it has transformed into a lush, thriving food forest. Every year, thousands of people from across Thailand come here to be trained in the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy.

Drawing from Mab Ueang’s experiences in land regeneration and water conservation, many other places have successfully applied these techniques to restore land, reestablish forests, revive biodiversity, and transition toward sustainable livelihoods.

As part of our learning trip, we visited the Pannar Sufficiency Economy Philosophy Learning Center in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand. Through fundamental principles of water treatment, pond digging, water channel creation, water-purifying plants, use of bio-fermented products, soil covering, effective use of pioneer species, and efficient land design, barren and depleted land was transformed into a lush, green learning center in just eight years. This center has even managed to shield itself from the impacts of chemical farming practices in surrounding areas.

We also had the opportunity to visit the Nan Agrinature Center in Nan Province, northern Thailand. This center is situated in the mountainous upper Nan River basin, playing a crucial role for downstream areas — even for water management in Bangkok. The gentle Nan River is one of the main tributaries of the famous Chao Phraya River. Over 40% of the Nan’s water flows into the Chao Phraya and through the Thai capital.

Thirteen years ago, Bangkok experienced a massive flood, and one identified cause was deforestation in Nan’s upstream areas, where locals cleared hillsides for cassava and corn monocultures. Treeless hills became commonplace, with nothing to retain water when rains came. This was also the main reason behind a flash flood that devastated a town in Nan in August.

In response, the Agrinature Network decided to establish reforestation projects in Nan. The Nan Natural Agriculture Center was founded to train and offer holistic, sustainable solutions for ecosystem restoration and to improve the livelihoods of local communities, all grounded in the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy.

From an area previously dominated by rubber monoculture, in just four years of applying SEP’s fundamental practices, Nan was able to welcome local people for training, sparking a reforestation movement and a meaningful shift in livelihoods for Nan residents. Mea Kul, the founder of the Nan Agrinature Center and a conservationist for over 30 years, shared with us that three years ago, she recorded over 22 bird species living here. Today, that number has surpassed 100. In addition, over 61 types of plants with diverse canopies now coexist here, mimicking a real forest ecosystem.

Moreover, we also had the chance to meet SEP practitioners in Ban Sob Puern. They are called the “Warrior Group” — people who believed in and successfully transformed their own cassava and corn monoculture lands into SEP-based models after learning from Mae Kul. Many shared that not only were they able to repay debts incurred from previous monoculture farming within three years of applying SEP, but they also found happiness and a renewed sense of purpose. To them, they are doing important, meaningful work — helping to preserve land, protect forests, safeguard both upstream and downstream regions, while also securing decent livelihoods.

During our time in Nan, we had the opportunity to learn and assist a farmer from the Warrior Group in designing and building a water system on a hillside. Through this experience, we gained a clearer sense of the spirit of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. Land and water restoration and ecosystem regeneration are only one aspect of SEP. Preserving and passing on indigenous knowledge is also deeply emphasized. The spirit of solidarity, mutual support, and sharing was tangible. A holistic, practical form of education was genuinely conveyed through this project’s process.

We observed three generations participating in this project, each playing different roles. Mae Kul, as the eldest and most experienced, acted as mentor and advisor. Others took on tasks such as digging, surveying, technical planning, filming and photographing, feasibility and sustainability assessments. Students also joined the process. Even a three-year-old child enthusiastically pitched in, despite frequently falling over in the process (laughs).

A practical issue that the entire community needed to address was the construction of a water reservoir — a place to supply water and retain moisture for the hilltop. This challenge was skillfully integrated into a class held right on the hill itself. The lessons were far from dry or tedious. On the contrary, they were lively, heartfelt, and relaxed. We ourselves learned a great deal and were deeply inspired by this approach to education. As for me, the writer of this article, I hope that one day in Vietnam, we too will have similar learning centers — where the classrooms are rivers and streams, the teachers are grandparents and farmers, and the lessons are the very challenges the community is working to overcome. Learning while playing, playing while learning, working while learning, and working as if playing. Where learning, living, and working are one, inseparable.

In addition, we participated in the Land and Water Forum in Bangkok. This was an international forum attended by representatives from 17 countries, including ministers, policymakers, government officials, NGOs like the FAO, scientists, researchers, and members of the Natural Agriculture Network. Here, we shared with our international friends about the activities of the Natural Agriculture Network, as well as the work of the Vcil Community in Vietnam, applying the knowledge and wisdom of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy — carrying forward the legacy and vision of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej: a world of prosperity and happiness for all humanity.

It wasn’t just the King’s dream — it was the shared wish and hope of many people, including members of the Vcil Community. As Ajarn Yak reminded us:

"You, you may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one."

Though it may sound like a dream to some, we have a community — a network that shares this vision and goodwill. The Vcil Community hopes that someday, you too will join us in co-creating the reality each of us wishes to see.

Vcil Community sincerely thanks the support and collaboration of SEP Academy, Arsom Silp Institute of the Arts, Agri-Nature Foundation, World Soil Association, Ajarn Yak, P. Tang, P. Bouquet, and many others who helped create such a rich, heartfelt learning experience during our time in Thailand. We hope to continue building deeper, more comprehensive partnerships to foster the shift toward a regenerative, happier world.