On 19 June 2025, Mae Fah Luang University, in collaboration with the Consulate of India in Chiang Mai, hosted the 11th International Day of Yoga at the Queen Sirikit 72nd Jubilee Sport Arena (Indoor Stadium), Mae Fah Luang University. The event welcomed over 200 participants, including MFU faculty, staff, and students, as well as representatives from various organisations such as Chiang Rai Municipality, Chiang Rai Chamber of Commerce, and the local residents.
The event celebrated the ancient Indian practice of yoga on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, which is recognised by the United Nations since 2014 and observed globally on 21st June each year. It. Beyond the yoga practice, the event aimed to strengthen relations between Thailand and India and promote good health and well-being for all. This year’s global theme for the 11th International Yoga Day was "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," highlighting how yoga nurtures not only individual well-being but also the harmony of our shared planet. Yoga is more than movement — it's a way of life that connects the body, mind, and environment.
The opening ceremony featured remarks from Mr. Pranav Ganesh, Consul of India; Asst. Prof. Dr. Korakot Chansareewittaya, Assistant to the President of Mae Fah Luang University, and Mr. Ruttisak Rangsri, Vice Governor of Chiang Rai Province. The speeches were followed by a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, symbolising the start of the event, based on an Indian belief that light brings wisdom, brightness, energy, and success. Renowned and experienced yoga instructors from Ananda Yoga Shala, Mr. Anup Gupta and Ms. Thanyarat Haritphisut, led the yoga sessions.
One of special highlight was the provision of Indian food and drinks for all participants, including Poha (parboiled rice grains pounded into flat flakes), Upma (thick porridge from dry-roasted rice flour), and Am panna (Indian Mango Smoothie), supported by Accha Authentic Indian Cuisine. This allowed participants to experience a taste of Indian culture alongside the yoga practice.
Mae Fah Luang University is committed to advancing good health and well-being for people of all ages in Thailand and throughout the Greater Mekong Subregion. This yoga event offered a valuable opportunity for all participants to fully immerse themselves in the yoga sessions, embrace its teachings, and carry the essence of yoga into their daily lives, promoting sustainable living, harmony with nature, and collective wellness.
