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The barren forest, the poverty due to lack of farming land witnessed by Her Majesty the Queen during her visits to her subjects in remote rural areas have been the inspiration behind the Small House in the Forest - Baan Lek Nai Paa Yai - Project at Bann Udomsap, Hin Dard subdistrict, branch district of Paang Sila Thong, Kamphaeng Phet Province.

Lying 358 kilometres north of Bangkok is the site of Kamphaeng Phet, a province known for its historical importance as an ancient city with traces of seven centuries of past prosperity. Its plains and mountains have long been the settlements for people of different ethnic origins including some hilltribespeople or highlanders.

Known for their nomadic lifestyle, the highlanders normally desert their settlernent for richer land after they have inflicted damage to the soil as a result of their slash-and-burn farming method. Wherever they move, forested land would be felled for farming. It is this pattern of farming that has been responsible for the deteriorating condition of the surrounding forest.

In 1994, the Small House in the Forest Baan Lek Nai Paa Yai Project was initiated by Her Majesty the Queen with the aim of reclaiming the deforested and making valuable watersheds, the source of small brooks, available to landless people who, thanks to the Project, have access to established farming land without having to move from place to place and, in the process, destroying the quality of the surrounding land. To enable people to play a participatory role in the land conservation efforts, a supplementary training programme has been designed, in response to market demands, to improve the villagers' customs and traditions are preserved and will feature as potential tourism attractions in the future.

The Project is entrusted to the care of a Working Committee led by Army Commander of the Third Region, Lieutenant General Thanom Vatcharabuthi. Other committee members include Kamphaeng Phet Governor Siva Saengmanee, Kamphaeng Phet Forestry Chief, Head of Kamphaeng Phet Irrigation Project, all of whom were appointed by the Chairperson of the Working Committee. Colonel Thanongsakdi Apirakyothin serves as its Director.

In the programme to reclaim the land and promote vocational opportunities, the head of each family will be involved in reforestation and guarding the wooded areas in his spare time. While the women are engaged in embroidery to be supplied to the SUPPORT Project, men are further encouraged to spend their time working on silverware, carving and weaving.

According to the Project, settlements are only founded along the rim of the wooded areas to achieve harmony with the surrounding environment. The settlers contribute by planting trees to cover an area of some 780 acres of land per year. It is expected that by the end of 1996, villagers' annual income will be raised to Baht 35,000 per person. Meanwhile, their children are guaranteed compulsory education and basic health care services.

In addition, Bann Udomsap Rice Bank founded on the Baht 100,000 start-up money provided by Her Majesty, is directly run by the highlanders with supervision and advice from the Project Director.

The Project has had a positive impact on the vicinity of the wooded areas including the Klong Laan National Park and Mae Wong National Park which have now come under legal protection, where trespassing is prohibited. While self-reclamation of the land is made possible, the protected status of the two national parks, the source of Mae Wong, Klong Suan Mark, Klong Wang Chao watersheds, will ensure the continual flow of water to the Mae Ping River.

In December 1994, as an initial step, 279 highlanders from 53 households of Yao origin from Baan Paang Nua, Klong Laan district, were settled in the Project site. Beung Lom of Baan Klong Nam Lai subdistrict, Klong Larn district has been targeted as the next site for some 213 households in the Project expansion plan.

Her Majesty is kept abreast of the progress from reports prepared by the Committee in charge of the Project at half-yearly intervals. On her annual visit, she not only spends ample time inspecting the vocational progress of the settlers, but results of the reforestation program from the Army Commander of the Third Region, the Governor and related personnel are also reported on this occasion.

Such trips are not always smooth and pleasant. The unpredictable weather means that she can sometimes be stranded in the jungle in the middle of her visit. In May 1996, a storm suddenly hit the area while she was working inside her hill-top tent. But such natural inconveniences never deter Her Majesty who continued working until the sky was clear again, when she left the project site for her residence before dusk.