On 22 June 2023, Mae Fah Luang University and Chiang Rai province co-organised the workshop on the Chiang Rai Wellness City Development Plan at Mae Fah Luang University Medical Centre Hospital. This workshop brought together over 150 participants from the ad-hoc working group on Chiang Rai Wellness City, government organisations, state enterprises, local government organisations, public sector, civil society sector and entrepreneurs in Chiang Rai to set the policies and directions for driving Chiang Rai province to be the wellness city.
The opening ceremony featured an opening remark by Chiang Rai Governor Puttipong Sirimat, a welcoming remark by Asst. Prof. Dr.Matchima Naradisorn, President of Mae Fah Luang University, followed by a report and a special lecture on driving Chiang Rai to be the wellness city by Mrs. Ubonrat Puangpinyo, Head of Chiang Rai province office.
Chiang Rai Governor Puttipong Sirimat stated that Mae Fah Luang University has a goal to promote good health and well-being while Chiang Rai province aims to become a wellness city. Therefore, MFU will serve as a hub of Chiang Rai Wellness City connecting local entrepreneurs and the general public who will benefit from the wellness city project, transferring research outcomes to practice and giving advices to the related organisations. The tourist arrivals to Chiang Rai province are expected to increase due to the attraction of health care and wellness services.
The governor added that the most important preparation is the mean of transportation travelling to Chiang Rai. Currently, there are the construction of two new double-track railway line from Den Chai to Chiang Khong scheduled to be completed in 2028 and the construction of a motorway along the R3A highway connecting Thailand, Lao PDR and China which is scheduled to be completed in 2025.
Asst. Prof. Dr.Matchima Naradisorn, President of Mae Fah Luang University expressed that it was a great pleasure for Mae Fah Laung University to be invited by the ad-hoc working group on Chiang Rai Wellness City to support Chiang Rai as a destination for strengthening wellness industry. The healthcare services and wellness tourism will contribute to Chiang Rai’s economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic and income distribution.
MFU is ready to fully support Chiang Rai to be the wellness city. The university’s personnel are prepared to collaborate and work in the interdisciplinary team involving staff from the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing, the School of Dentistry, the School of School of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine, the School of Integrative Medicine, and the School of Health Science. Moreover, MFU offers integrative medicine services combining conventional medicine with applied Thai traditional medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, physical therapy, sports and health science and public health. The university also has several quality healthcare units affiliated with Mae Fah Luang University Medical Centre including MFU Medical Centre Hospital, MFU Wellness Centre and the Institute of Thai-Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital.
In addition, the workshop consisted of an introduction of Chiang Rai Wellness City framework by Asst. Prof. Dr.Rawiwan Charoensup, Director of MFU Wellness Centre; the focus group discussions to gather specific feedback and develop a strategic plan for Chiang Rai Wellness City led by Dr.Panom Winyayong, lecturer of the School of Science; and the booths displaying the university’s healthcare products and services.
