Located in Kok Sathon Subdistrict, Dan Sai District, Loei Province, the Ban Mak Khaeng Public Park in Honor of His Majesty the King is being developed as a historical tourist site, while Ban Mak Khaeng village is being developed as a sustainable village in celebration of His Majesty the King’s sixth-cycle (72nd) birthday anniversary, 28 July 2024.

Ban Mak Khaeng was known as a battleground where the military and communist insurgents fought in the 1970s during the height of the Cold War. Violent clashes between insurgents and a combined force of police and soldiers took place at Ban Mak Khaeng in 1976. 

His Majesty King Rama X, who was the Crown Prince at that time, arrived at the battlefield and fought alongside army troops. The story of the bravery of His Majesty the King was told by the local villagers, policemen, and soldiers, who witnessed this historical event.

Later, the Royal Thai Army built a public park at the stronghold in Ban Mak Khaeng in honor of His Majesty the King. The landscape of the park was also improved in order to develop the park into a new tourist attraction.

On the occasion of His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday anniversary, Loei Province has launched a project to develop Ban Mak Khaeng as a “village of sustainability.” 

The development project seeks to upgrade local people’s quality of life in accordance with the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, and in response to the First Royal Command of His Majesty the King on the occasion of his coronation on 4 May 2019:

“We shall treasure, preserve, and build on our heritage and shall reign in righteousness for the great enduring good of the people.”

The Sufficiency Economy Philosophy focuses on prudence, reasonableness, and self-immunity. Thai people have been encouraged to adopt this philosophy as a guideline for developing themselves and their families, so that they can build resilience to enable them to lead their lives with happiness and stability.