November 18, 2021 – Khon Kaen University by the Research and Graduate Study Section, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Faculty of Nursing, Faculty of Sciences, and Faculty of Interdisciplinary Sciences organized an exhibition of research works and products from Thai herbs at the 2021 KKU Herb Fair. Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of Khon Kaen University Council conveyed the opening address, while Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University welcomed the distinguished guests and the press. Among honorable attendants were Khon Kaen Vice Governor, KKU administrators, the media and a lot of interested public. The event was held at Khum Si Than, Khon Kaen University Cultural Center.
The exhibition of research works and products from Thai herbs or the 2021 KKU Herb Fair of Khon Kaen University was organized with an aim to show the research works and the products developed from Thai herbs of the researchers of KKU, and to public relate and disseminate the research work and Thai herbal products to interested people both inside and outside the University. The outcomes can be further developed commercially and can inspire researchers to conduct more work and develop more Thai herbal products.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University said that Thailand is in the center of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia, where most of the areas are in the tropical zone, making the place abundant with multiple natural resources, especially leading to natural products we call, “herbs and spices”. Presently, herbs have been of interest for country development under the national socio-economic development plans carried out by the Ministry of Public Health. The herbal project and primary public health has emphasized the use of herbs to treat some diseases at public hospitals, while growing herbal plants is being encouraged, with the hope to partly assist in saving national currency for importing drugs from overseas.
“Nowadays, there are research and studies to develop herbal medicine that can be more conveniently used, such as grinding in powder and encapsulate it, pressing in tablets, or preparing in the form of cream or balm for external use. The research and studies on herbs have been vastly and continuously conducted and promoted by the Division of Research Administration, the Research and Graduate Study Section of Khon Kaen University in order that the products can be useful for daily life and for commercial purposes. The said benefits are for human, animals, agriculture, foods and beverages. Because of the significance, the exhibition of research works and products from Thai herbs or the 2021 KKU Herb Fair of Khon Kaen University has been organized. There are 7 exhibition booths and 20 research outcomes showing products from Thai herbs. There is also the activity zone that promotes the research mission and herbal product development. This event also disseminates and publicizes the research works and products from Thai herbs developed by the KKU researchers, that can be extended commercially in the near future,” said KKU President.
Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of Khon Kaen University Council said, “Since I started working with Khon Kaen University, I’ve learned more about the herbs that they should be extracted to obtain the best from them. This is because plants or animals have multiple chemical components. For example, hemps and cannabis contain a lot of matters. Therefore, the expertise Khon Kaen University has, in terms of extraction, should be the developmental possibilities for Thai herbs into medical cosmetics, medicine, disease prevention medical products. Khon Kaen University has therefor attempted to promote this kind of activities to disseminate the knowledge and utilization of herbs.”
“For herbs, we’ve got to believe about them first. After there is the belief, we have to scale up the levels to reach the commercial production stage. This is a big issue that we use in the development and in research on herbs, plants, and animals. I must thank the Research and Graduate Study Section, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Faculty of Nursing, Faculty of Sciences, and Faculty of Interdisciplinary Sciences for organizing this great event,” said Khon Kaen University Council Chairman.
Those who are interested can visit the exhibition “KKU Herb Fair” on November 180-20, 2021 at Khum Si Than, Cultural Center, Khon Kaen University. The interesting exhibited products include: ancient medicine formulas, herbs from animals, spa products, pharma beauty care, supplementary foods, products from hemps and cannabis research, fragrances, spices, etc. The activity zone features herbal gardening, herbal product selling, drinks made from hemps and folk music.
Besides, the 2021 KKU Herb Fair is held in the same area as the 2021 Loi Krathong Festival of Khon Kaen University, which is on Friday November 19, 2021. Visitors can also see the herbal exhibition, the beauty of ten thousand colorful lanterns at the Creative Walking Street.
News: Rawiporn Saisaenthong
Photos: Natthawut Jaruwong
