On 20 July 2020, Mae Fah Luang University President, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chayaporn Wattanasiri and executives welcomed a visit from the Consul General of the United States of America in Chiang Mai, Mr. Sean K. O’Neill.
According to the collaboration between the U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai and the Area-based-Social Innovation Research Center (Ab-SIRC), the Consul General Sean K. O’Neill on behalf of the United States of America donated personal protective equipment for COVID-19 and newborn essentials in the amount of 14,500 USD (450,000 Baht) to Mae Fah Luang University in order to support the university’s efforts to assist the vulnerable migrant population.
During the COVID-19 situation, the Area-based-Social Innovation Research Center (Ab-SIRC), the School of Social Innovation in collaboration with civil society organisations have established the Aid Coordination Center for Migrants Workers in Chiang Rai to provide assistance and personal protective equipment for over 29,000 migrant workers and ethnic communities in Chiang Rai province. The Center has also provided necessary information and COVID-19 situation report in 10 languages in order to ensure those migrant workers have access to the COVID-19 prevention measures in Thailand.
Altogether, the visit and the generous support from the United States of America will keep migrant workers and their families safe as well as strengthen the good relations between Thailand and the United States of America.