In the first place, the development according to the royal initiatives is to directly solve the immediate problems of the people to enable them to be strong enough to live on. The next step is to encourage the people to get along with the environment of their society and finally be self-reliant in a sustainable manner. In order to achieve these goals, one should adhere to the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy which means living a simple and normal lives in the middle path based on knowledge and morality in order to achieve the natural balance with stability and sustainability. It is comparable to laying foundation of a building to be strong as His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulydej the Great once stated:

          “…It is highly important to encourage and help people in earning their living and supporting themselves with adequate means, because those who are gainfully employed and self-supporting are capable of contributing definitely towards higher levels of development…”

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulydej the Great’s Speech

Given on the Occasion of the Degree Conferring Ceremony

At Kasetsart University

On Friday 19 July 1974