Launching the model "Sufficiency Economy School" A learning center for quality of life development according to the New Theory, exemplifying a sustainable self-reliant community.
On 29 April 2026, the Learning Center for Quality of Life Development based on the New Theory, applied to the "Khon Nong Na" model at Ban Charoensilp, Charoensilp District, Sakon Nakhon Province, hosted Mr. Sutthipong Juljarern, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, and Mr. Pisadan Prada, Inspector General of the Department of Community Development (DCD) acting as Director of the Udon Thani Community Development Study and Development Center, along with directors and staff of the center. They visited Sakon Nakhon Province to support the central agency, the Office for Community Strengthening (OCS), Department of Community Development, in monitoring the progress of the Sufficiency Economy School, a learning center for quality of life development following the New Theory, applied to the "Khon Nong Na" model at Ban Charoensilp, Charoensilp District, Sakon Nakhon. Attending were Ms. Kanjanee Lasrichan, Mr. Buncha Rasimin, and the Khon Nong Na community development network of Sakon Nakhon Province.
Mr. Sutthipong Juljarern congratulated Ms. Kanjanee Lasrichan and Mr. Buncha Rasimin, owners of the Khon Nong Na Hin Hae plot, for successfully establishing the Sufficiency Economy School with support from the Department of Community Development. The two transformed this once dry, rocky area into a "three forests, four benefits" land, creating a learning base meeting standard criteria and serving as an exemplary model. This represents a positive example for the nation in self-reliance aligned with the royal intention of His Majesty King Rama IX on sufficiency economy. They are also committed to continuing the "Preserve, Maintain, and Develop" approach following the royal intention of His Majesty King Rama X, emphasizing integrated planning for marketing development alongside quality advancement.
"His Majesty the King spoke about Khon Nong Na, saying that besides being a symbol of agricultural abundance, it is an art form and a good exercise in integrating diverse agriculture within the same area and time, maintaining diversity that supports each other. Khon Nong Na represents agriculture for prosperity and well-being of the people and our lives. Agriculture is central to our country’s livelihood and existence, as His Majesty King Rama IX graciously provided guidance and blessings on agriculture and development. This project demonstrates a practical, adaptable model—not a static display—but one that can be flexibly applied in real life, bringing diversity and flexibility together to support food security and agriculture, which is our economy."
Additionally, Mr. Sutthipong Juljarern encouraged the Khon Nong Na plot owners who took initiative to work with their own hands, praising their determination to build a new life based on sufficiency. He emphasized that sustainable development occurs when the people are the center of change, while the government must work on the ground, listen to real problems, and collaborate closely in solutions.
The Department of Community Development assigned the Udon Thani Community Development Study and Development Center to implement a project to enhance the capacity of learning centers for quality of life development based on the New Theory, applied to the "Khon Nong Na" model. This includes activities to develop such learning centers and sub-activities to establish Sufficiency Economy Schools. The Udon Thani center selected the Ban Charoensilp learning center in Charoensilp District, Sakon Nakhon Province, on Ms. Kanjanee Lasrichan’s plot as a Sufficiency Economy School to further develop it as a place for learning, training, skill development, knowledge transfer, leadership building, and networking according to the philosophy of sufficiency economy.
Today’s field visit supports the Office for Community Strengthening’s monitoring of the Sufficiency Economy School establishment to ensure alignment with objectives and supports the Department of Community Development’s Center of Excellence (CD Academy) in becoming an effective learning and training hub for sufficiency economy.
Following this, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed to integrate cooperation in enhancing academic and research quality in community development between the Udon Thani Community Development Study and Development Center and the Sufficiency Economy School learning center for quality of life development based on the New Theory, applied to the "Khon Nong Na" model at Ban Charoensilp, Charoensilp District, Sakon Nakhon Province.
The Sufficiency Economy School of the Department of Community Development is a project to upgrade capable learning centers (such as Khon Nong Na) into hubs for learning, career creation, and sustainable community quality of life development. It focuses on transferring the philosophy of sufficiency economy and practical skills to the public, implemented by Community Development Study and Development Centers nationwide to build strong, self-reliant communities based on sufficiency economy principles.
Objective: To develop existing learning centers into comprehensive sites for study visits and hands-on practice.
Learning approach: Emphasizes Khon Nong Na model skills, integrated farming, product processing, fertilizer production, and food security creation.
Implementation: Driven through Community Development Study and Development Centers and provincial community development offices, selecting villages/learning centers that are ready.
Examples of areas: Sufficiency Economy Schools have been established in several locations such as Ban Phon Had (Roi Et), Ban Nong Sai (Kanchanaburi), supported by Udon Thani and Nakhon Nayok Community Development Centers, and Phetchaburi, among others.
This Sufficiency Economy School project aims to transform communities from external dependence to self-reliance, generating income and developing community members with knowledge and morality based on the sufficiency economy philosophy.
The Ban Charoensilp Sufficiency Economy School is one of 11 such schools, located in Village No. 1, Charoensilp Subdistrict, Charoensilp District, Sakon Nakhon Province, under the supervision of the Udon Thani Community Development Study and Development Center. Ms. Kanjanee Lasrichan serves as the principal of this Sufficiency Economy School.