On 26 August 2024, Mae Fah Luang University, led by the School of Management and the Global Relations Division, hosted an academic and cultural exchange activity for participants of the OCA Northern Thailand Tour. This activity aimed to promote the sharing of Thai culture and economic insights in Northern Thailand. Participants visited Lan Thong Chaloem Phra Kiat Vihara, the Sirindhorn Chinese Language and Culture Center, and Mekong Basin Civilization Museum. They also joined a workshop to create traditional Thai-Lanna flags (Tung).
The OCA Northern Thailand Tour, hosted by MRA (Moral Re-Armament) Foundation Off Campus International Exchange (OCA), Japan, took place from 23 – 27 August 2024. The programme brought together 22 students and lecturers from Chulalongkorn University (Thailand), Mae Fah Luang University (Thailand), Chuo University (Japan), and Tokyo Woman’s Christian University (Japan).
Throughout the five-day programme, participants engaged in various activities, including study visits to key economic sites in Chiang Rai, such as the Golden Triangle and the Doi Tung Development Project. These visits provided valuable insights into the local economy, community development, and the impact of royal projects on the area's economy. The study visit to the Doi Tung Development Project aimed to understand the approach to developing sustainable alternative livelihoods and concrete solutions to local economic problems, particularly addressing drug issues and environmental destruction, which directly impact the community's economy.
Participants also explored creative economy and cultural tourism through visits to the Black House Museum, Maekok Foundation, and Mae Fah Luang University. These activities enhanced participants’ understanding of Thai culture and provided opportunities for them to analyse the economic situation of Northern Thailand first-hand and exchange perspectives with friends from different institutions.
Altogether, the OCA Northern Thailand Tour promoted integrated learning of cultural and economics, aligning with MFU’s vision of becoming a leading university striving for well-being and sustainable future.
