The Royal Development Study Centres at the core of agricultural research in Thailand grew out of the early experiments at Chitralada Villa, Dusit Palace and in Hua Hin. They were set up in different areas of the country to represent the differing geographical conditions of each region: sandy soil, mangroves, hills or degraded forests, and/or a combination of several of these features. They were conceived of as sites where several government departments could coordinate their experiments and exchange ideas for the integrated development of rural areas.

His Majesty regarded the centres as beneficial ".for the demonstration of all the little aspects of development." And to ".develop farmers' land by means of water resources development, forest rehabilitation and application of production techniques in agriculture and animal husbandry. The centres.also serve as a central office to conduct development activities to improve the well-being of the people in the surrounding areas. Once the farmers have upgraded their living standard, they might consider setting up a rice mill and rice bank in each village to get an opportunity to train themselves, to finally become self-supporting."

Furthermore, they incorporate "the results of the study into models of development which people can take as examples and apply in their daily lives." Because many centres include a village within their boundaries or nearby, His Majesty encourages those living near the centres to form groups to tackle their problems with the centre's advice and assistance.

Many of the ideas for New Theory and Sufficiency Economy Philosophy percolated out of Centre trials over the years and are now firmly established in their training regimens. Work at the centres has drawn international interest. Distinguished visitors include Their Majesties Queen Elizabeth II of the UK, King Carl XVI Gustav and Queen Silvia of Sweden, as well as Their Excellencies Nuhak Phumsawan, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and Gloria Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines, among others.

"If we provide the people with a little information, we will help raise their standard of living; they will have more work to do,. and more income will be theirs"