On 12 September 2019, Prince of Songkla University, led by Prof. Emeritus Dr. Charas Suwanwela, M.D., Chairman of PSU University Council, had the great honor of conferring an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Science (Agriculture) upon His Majesty King Letsie III of the Kingdom of Lesotho. The auspicious ceremony took place at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, and was attended by around 100 guests of honor, including representatives from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, honorable delegates from the Lesotho government, Honorary Consul of the Consulate of the Kingdom of Lesotho to Thailand, high-level members of the University Council Committee, and the PSU administrative team.
Moreover, in order to strengthen the relationship between the kingdoms of Lesotho and Thailand, Prince of Songkla University offered two scholarships, under the PSU President Scholarship Scheme, to two Lesotho staff to further their studies at the PSU Faculty of Natural Resources.
His Majesty King Letsie III has displayed a keen interest in agriculture, resulting in His Majesty’s adoption of the Royal Initiative of the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy and New Agriculture Theory of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, to develop agriculture in the Kingdom of Lesotho. As a result, His Majesty King Letsie III has insightfully converted the land near the palace outside the capital Maseru, in order to establish an operation center, disseminate the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy and New Agriculture Theory, and create sustainable agricultural demonstration plots that are environmentally friendly and use appropriate technology. This innovative act enabled the farmers of the Kingdom of Lesotho and neighboring countries to study and apply these noble concepts, leading to increased productivity, income and stability for the people of both the Kingdom of Lesotho and other parts of the region.
In agriculture, His Majesty King Letsie III is internationally recognized; praised widely not only in the Kingdom of Lesotho but also in many other countries. His Majesty was appointed on the 1st of December 2016 to be the “Special Ambassador for Nutrition”, by the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
Realizing His Majesty’s King Letsie III great involvement and strong concern regarding the agricultural development in his country and region for the benefit of humankind, the conferment of an honorary Doctorate Degree of Science in Agriculture to His Majesty represents a true honor and privilege for Prince of Songkla University.
