Citing a recent poll conducted from May 13 to 25 of 2,794 respondents in Bangkok and major provinces, Noppadol said most Thais were aware of and appreciated the royal projects.

A huge majority (93.8 per cent) were aware of the Royal Rainmaking Project. In terms of awareness, this was followed by the Royal Medical Teams project at 85.7 per cent and the "New Theory", incorporating His Majesty's selfsufficiency philosophy, at 85.4 per cent, said Noppadol. The "New Theory" is an agricultural development approach emphasising diversification so that farmers have various sources of income.

The Pa Sak River Basin Development Project, the Mangrove Forest Preservation Project, the Royal Chitralada Projects (demonstration agricultural projects) and the Thai Dairy Industry Promotion Project were also widely recognised at 79.8, 79.1, 79, and 78.5 per cent, respectively, Noppadol said.

His Majesty's wastewatertreatment project, Vetiver Grassgrowing project to prevent soil erosion, and assistance to severely ill people were also recognised at 77.9, 77.1, and 76.6 per cent respectively, he said.

The "Kaem Ling" (monkey cheeks) project to excavate canals to create reservoirs and floodwaterdraining channels had awareness of 75.8 per cent, followed by the Royal Project for generating solar power at 75.6 per cent and His Majesty's diseasecontrol campaigns at 75.4 per cent.

The Royal Project Foundation's schemes to have hilltribe people and adjacent lowlanders grow fruits and vegetables instead of drug crops, reduce slashandburn farming and live a less nomadic existence had a public awareness of 74.3 per cent. About 72 per cent knew of the project providing free dental service to the needy, 71 per cent knew of the gasohol plant project and more than 60 per cent knew about projects to use wind power in wastewater treatment.

There was about 60percent recognition for the royal agriculture industry development schemes, a project to use wind power in agriculture, and a project to tackle traffic congestion, while slightly over 50 per cent were aware of the royal biogas project.

The Nation