On May 26, 2025, Khon Kaen University hosted the 5th strategic workshop of 2025 to advance the development plan positioning Khon Kaen Province as a regional Wellness Hub and Medical Valley in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), with a focus on establishing a comprehensive care system for the elderly and dependent persons. The workshop took place at the Mitr Phol Innovation and Research Center (Khon Kaen Center), 9th Floor, Khon Kaen Innovation Center (Ad Lib Hotel), with over 300 participants both onsite and online, including representatives from the public and private sectors, academia, students, and community members.
The event was opened by Dr. Kampol Rattayawanish, Head of Mitr Phol Innovation & Research, with a welcome address, followed by Associate Professor Chonnathip Phongsakul, M.D., Assistant to the President for Strategic and Key Project Monitoring, who officially launched the workshop. A representative from the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), Northeastern Region, presented the overall progress of the initiative.
In his address, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chonnathip, who also serves as Director of the Center for Wellness and Medical Innovation Zones at KKU, emphasized the university’s role in driving medical innovation and regional healthcare development. KKU’s strategy includes establishing integrated healthcare service zones centered around Srinagarind Hospital, coupled with research collaboration to expand public access to health services and support a sustainable health economy.
He outlined the university’s initiative to create a dual-structure medical innovation zone comprising:
- A Medical Services Building – offering treatment, preventive care, and wellness services
- An 8-story Research Facility – inviting private-sector collaboration through research tenancy using hospital resources to innovate in service-focused health research
This model aligns with Khon Kaen University’s mission and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and aims to elevate public health outcomes for both Thai citizens and the broader region.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chonnathip further revealed that the finalized strategic plan will be submitted to the Cabinet for endorsement within this year, with expectations of seeing tangible progress within three years. He noted that Khon Kaen requires a relatively lower budget than other provinces due to its rich base of resources—research institutes, universities, public institutions, and local government units—already in place and ready to support implementation.
Dr. Kampol highlighted in his remarks that this project is a significant step toward positioning Khon Kaen as the medical and wellness innovation hub of Northeast Thailand, enhancing both quality of life and regional economic growth through sustainable, environmentally responsible development and organic agriculture.
The workshop is part of a larger effort to integrate Khon Kaen’s designation as a Sustainable Economic Corridor—a platform for collaborative development between academia, government, private sector, and civil society. Khon Kaen University leads the coordination of this strategic plan.
Participants in the event included over 100 on-site attendees and 200 online participants, with representatives from organizations such as:
- Khon Kaen Provincial Administrative Organization
- Special Committee on Northern and Northeastern Economic Zones
- NESDC Northeastern Office
- Department of Health Service Support, Ministry of Public Health
- Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)
- Khon Kaen Chamber of Commerce
- Center for Wellness and Medical Innovation, KKU
- Regional Planning Division, Central Northeastern Provincial Cluster
The workshop concluded with five focused group discussions, each addressing a core dimension of the development strategy:
- Enhancing Community Health and Well-being in Khon Kaen
- Developing Medical Service and Industry Zones
- Promoting Health Tourism and Cultural Integration
- Supporting Safe and Health-Oriented Agriculture
- Fostering Sustainable Environmental Stewardship
