In 1987, the water shortage problem became increasingly severe. Realizing and greatly concerned about the hardship suffered by his subjects living in the Northeastern region, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej issued a royal command for General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, then Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, to immediately solve the problem faced by Northeasterners
That was how the Project from His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Mercifulness originated. Later on, the government led by General Prem Tinsulanonda as prime minister assumed control over this initiative as a significant government project, and assigned the Royal Thai Army to act as the project coordinator. With contributions from various governmental sectors in preparing the development plan for the Northeastern region to become fertile again, awash with water resources and forests; along with the support from the private sector – including the Red Bull Beverage Company Limited, which provided 50 million Baht in financial support; the Northeastern Green Project was initiated with 3 main objectives: (1) to leverage income of Northeasterners, (2) to create employment opportunities, and (3) to improve the environment.
The Northeastern Green Project was launched on 28 March 1987, marking the D-Day with an outpouring of support from all over the nation towards the Northeastern region – especially to upper Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, and Roi Et provinces, which were suffering from severe drought at that time. This initial operation, which aimed to solve immediate problems by providing water supply only, was considered a successful achievement
To further fulfill His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's royal command, the Royal Thai Army established the Public Assistance Center for the Development of the Northeastern Region under the Royal Initiative of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and properly applied the Project from His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Mercifulness into short-, medium-, and long-term plans. The project lasted for 5 years, from 1988 through to 1992, in line with the stated objectives.
Active cooperation from all parties was the most important driving force towards success in achieving the objectives of the Northeastern Development Plan under the Project from His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Mercifulness. Each stage of success created a shared feeling among Thais, who had the chance to be the giver, contributing to their homeland by making the Northeastern region green and fertile – leading to the need to value and protect this fertile land with abundant natural resources for next generations.
