Sophon emphasized the power of love and faith to guide integrated drug rehabilitation with comprehensive treatment. The program also includes vocational training and the distribution of livelihood tools, culminating in participants taking a solemn oath to completely quit involvement with drugs.
On 16 May 2026, Mr. Sophon Sarum, President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives, along with Mr. Sak Sarum, Member of Parliament for Buriram Province and their team, visited Ban Mai Chaiyaphot District, Buriram Province, to follow up on the project and preside over the opening ceremony of the “Love and Faith United Camp to Solve Drug Problems Integratively, Ban Mai Chaiyaphot 5th Batch.” The event took place from 14-23 May 2026 at Luvarnaram Temple, Nong Waeng Subdistrict, with senior officials, government officers, local administrators, public health staff, police, community leaders, and guardians warmly welcoming and participating in the activities.
The project received strong cooperation from all local sectors, led by Phra Kru Phichit Wannapiram, the head monk of Nong Waeng Subdistrict; Mr. Atthaphon Sonsakul, District Chief of Ban Mai Chaiyaphot; Police Colonel Aram Pootchalee, Superintendent of Ban Mai Chaiyaphot Police Station; along with public health officials, hospital directors, village heads, community health volunteers, and support from the private sector through the Anatapon Sarum Foundation (Luk Teng).
Mr. Sophon led the chanting of precepts and offered Sangha Dana for blessings before guiding the participants to take an oath to decisively quit drug involvement. Additionally, the camp participants presented flower cones to apologize to their guardians.He then delivered a motivational speech to the participants, expressing concern over the drug problem as a social issue requiring collective effort. He emphasized using “love and faith” as guiding principles, highlighting this project as a genuine model of integrated collaborative action.
The 5th batch of the camp used the temple as a center for psychological rehabilitation, integrating Buddhist teachings with close medical care from doctors, nurses, and public health officials. The 10-day curriculum included self-exploration, self-control, motivation building, goal setting, group therapy, personality development, daily discipline and exercise training by police and volunteer officers, and activities promoting social coexistence.
Moreover, the Buriram Provincial Skill Development Institute conducted an 18-hour vocational training course focusing on trades such as masonry and repair work. Participants who completed the course received certificates. Those wishing to further develop their skills in advanced courses were supported by the program, which also provided tools to help them start their own livelihoods.