Thailand’s royal legacy

Currently, more than 40 monarchies remain worldwide serving as constitutional guardians of cultural continuity and national identity, including Thailand. The legacy of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, known by his regnal name Rama IX, shines with clarity, defined by dignity, humility and devoted public service. Rama, who reigned from 1946 until his death in 2016, left a transformative legacy. Shocked by the poverty, opium cultivation and deforestation he witnessed among Hmong communities in the highlands of Chiang Mai, he launched the Royal Project in 1969 to confront these challenges. Chiang Mai — once an area of hardship — is today one of the most popular tourism destinations for Korean travelers. Through sustainable agriculture, watershed protection, forest conservation and community development, the king sought to replace opium cultivation. Over time, the Royal Project Foundation expanded into a nationwide sustainable development model, uplifting ethnic minority communities in highland areas such as Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon and Doi Angkhang. Former opium-growing regions were transforme