Plearn Garden
From Past to Present
 Chumphon Cabana resort and scuba diving center, established in 1982 on the beautiful and peaceful Thung Wua Laen Beach, Saplee district, Amphur Pathiu, Chumphon. From the geography situated between two seas of the gulf of Thailand and Andaman. Chumphon will take advantage from its location with fresh air, great weather, rich soils, water and plentiful forest. Local people bring out a very lively atmosphere, where their happiness can be ranked as one of the best in Thailand. It is important to take note that when traveling in Chumphon people should preserve the existence of nature and the atmosphere, not to make adjustments leading to the destruction that had occurred in many parts of Thailand.
 Khun Sukum Sadakorn and Khun Atchara Rukphan, were the two founders of Chumphon Cabana. Although it is a very small province, Chumphon is very lucky to have such a prosperous geography, so if tourism is to be developed systematically in the right path Chumphon will sustain and retain its prosperity through time. Furthermore, this development can be spread out to all tourism sectors of Thailand. Many writers and thinkers, like Khun Pramote Tasanasuwan, Khun Paradech Payakapichian, Dr. Suraphon Sudara, who have advocated strongly for the past 20 years that for sustainable development to work and benefit to all, people must have respect for all things living and non-living.
It is with the greatest merit from the king to bestow his teaching of sufficiency economy to the Thai people. In 1997 Chumphon Cabana instilled this philosophy into the organization. In the year 2000, all the staff and members had fully developed into the path of sufficiency economy. Having failed from many development theories without fully understand the real need of what our people and community want; with sufficiency economy in place, we began to truly understand and witness true happiness of our workers. By following the principle of "giving" underlined in 'Our loss is our gain' philosophy, which has been the turning point of the whole operation and result in a positive working environment.
This path of development is called 'Um Choo (supportive)', as the first priority is to increase the general happiness of the workers so that it could lead to working effectively. The core of this strategy is to give with a pure heart and expect nothing in return. It is important to look out for one another. The workers here are mostly farmers who cannot afford to compete with cost. Natural agriculture will resolve this problem, where you can plant and sell the products within the community under the project so called'our economy'. This way they are able to continue their main carrier and provide service during their free time to increase wages, increasing the prospect of being service minded. The whole crew must walk in the same direction to get everyone happy and ready to perform their responsibility. This would raise the living standard of the community. Both the Agriculture Foundation and the Sufficiency Economy Institution have supported the establishment of learning center to all people. The birth of Plearn center have occurred (Play + Learn = Plearn). More than 3500 individuals from various organizations both private, public and agriculture had taken interest in training the course in working under the Plearn strategy. Nowadays, the project has expanded the network to non-chemical fertilizer to many communities like:
- Baan-Tung-Hong agriculture group, Amphur Mueng, Chumphon province. Kluay-hom-thong banana exporting to Japan, Leb-mea-nang banana, Long-kong, mangos teen.
- Coffee bean growing group, Amphur Ta-chea, Chumphon province; Lueng Chern group total production of 10 tons, Suan Sarasin production 4 tons.
- Agriculture group, Amphur Ta-Sea. At the present time is linking with the worker relatives in purchasing organic vegetables and sell to the market place within a fair profit sharing scheme under the supervision of Plearn Centre. The group also has a role of educating the market from chemical to organic produces
- Keaw-Tom-Home group of 7 upper North Eastern provinces, under the coordination of Mr. Phanya Puliwakin, Phunmiraktammachart Centre, project manager. At present the purchase of rice in preferred cost is consumed in hotel and selling to customers that use the services and members of organic network. The Plearn Center has its own small rice mill and is currently expanding the capacity to producing and packing the organic grain. We also own a fertilizer house as a result of increasing husk and bran. The center is approaching the level 3 of His Majesty the King Sufficiency Economy Theory whereby a financial supportive network is formed to render financial help when needed.
- Rice farmers group Ban Bang-Son, Amphur Pathiu, Chumphon province, the land that gave the origin of Yellow Pathiu Rice grain, one of the most popular rice gains in Thailand, is vanishing from the weakening culture of rice as a result of decreased pricing, the overwhelm of mono crop culture. An attempt has been made to preserve and cherish the Yellow Pathiu rice grain organic agriculture by using the following strategies:
5.1 Farmer supporters
Inviting customers move their lunching place into the field, listening to country music, eat from coconut shell, eat chicken, vegetables, curry. Time spending is around 1-2 hours.
5.2. Public Relations
Afterwards there had been an increase in the number of customers. Khun Apinan Buahapukdee of Thailand Travel (Aor Sor Tor) magazine came and visited and published this story in April 2005. In the same month, we saw the visit of MR Tanatsri Sawadiwadi, a Thai prominent figure who had lead to a stronger will of the community to revive Yellow Pathiu Rice culture. Many more came afterwards and this has resulted in the revival of Yellow Pathiu Rice as part of the community development plan.
5.3. Joint allies
Phunmiraktammachart Centre has linked with farmers of Chumphon and Esan (north east) in order for them to meet up and join in the Kwan Kaw ceremony. Mr. Thongmor Jamjang, rice guru of Sriprajan Suphanburi has given the original yellow pathiu rice to the Chumphon farmers in the project 'Pathiu rice returns home', transforming this year's paddy field becoming once again filled with yellow pathiu rice. It is proud to hear that all the rice has been sold out even before the production has yet reached its full capacity. Nowadays, there have been many studies on this Um-Choo (supportive) economic pattern at Masters and Doctorial level in a real context. We believe that this form of natural giving and sharing culture would become a door way to overcome capitalism.
- Forest water source protection group linkage
Corresponding with the king's holistic development approach by, starting with little steps, which can then lead towards bigger prospects in the future. In order to preserve the water and forest people must learn to appreciate what they have by passing it through the likes of children. Plearn Centre has joined hand in hand with environmental activist Mr. Pongsa Chunam, head of Pa-Toh environmental and water source protection unit, set up a joint development project under the concept of "from mountain through great ocean" through an education scheme that helps the young to understand good water management of how forest, dam, vetiver, mountain irrigation working together. Under the project 'people live, forest alive' we will learn how people can benefit from and live harmoniously with the nature. Many activities and events have been organized to help enforce the importance of natural resources at the same time to generate some income back to people living in the forest, for example; water rafting, eating among nature, birth watching, camping etc. 4 aspects are the aim;
1. Let the forest grow in human
2.Water management
3.Soil improvement through natural means
4.To grow and make good use from forest.
Get to know the geography and the people. At present many education providers start to take interest in this approach and see a great benefit to instill the principle in the education curriculum. It is our hope that when all of us develop a good understanding of ourselves, our natural environment and learn how to respect our nature, then existing problems will be diminishing and balanced and sustainable development will take place
- The word "through" signifies water passage from the forest water source to the sea, passing through farming, paddy field and surrounding neighborhood. The Plearn center is a place that aim to take good care of the environment; eliminating any garbage and rotten water with the careful planning. The environmental management within the hotel is aimed to be a "workable model" that is learned and used by others this could be a small example that can be expanded into a larger community, especially in Bangkok. This fits into the concept of leading by example to reach the full capacity of effectiveness.
- The great ocean
Chumphon Cabana's diving lessons also asserts in on looking after the water resources and teaching the rules on how to behave in and on water. Places not to invade, where and when to keep quiet not disturbing others, etc.
Diving activities are controlled by the international safety standard of the P.A.D.I , America. Further, we not only teach diving, but also how to preserve the beauty in the sea.
When every thing has been adapted to the philosophy of sufficiency economy, it is clear that the development is heading towards overall happiness leading to true wealth and stability. |
