Thailand’s puppet envoy on sufficiency economy Somkid Jatusripitak has cut his strings and resigned. But he still wants to serve his country. Perhaps he could join the ex-farmers in Roi Et who have discovered sufficiency economy by abandoning their paddy fields and taking up making sandwiches:

Every three days, a truck from a bakery in Nakhon Ratchasima brings loaves of bread to the village. The sandwiches are delivered daily to shops in the area and adjacent provinces including Mukdahan and Kalasin. It brings the villagers over Bt1 million a month.

Thongbai does about 2,000 sandwiches a day, which wholesale at Bt4 apiece. That adds up to Bt20,000 a month. “It’s better than working as a labourer,” he said. “It’s the first time in my life to have Bt10,000 in my pocket. And I don’t have to leave my family for Bangkok anymore.” Another villager, Sanit Klangboonwat, 30, paid for recipes from his neighbour and then moved to Nong Bua Lampoo to start his own sandwich business. The monthly income can support his kids’ education.

“This career dovetails with the sufficiency economy,” he said.

Watch out for the “Somkid salami sufficiency special”!