On July 15, 2025, Khon Kaen University hosted the second strategic workshop to advance a regional development plan aimed at positioning Khon Kaen and the central northeastern provinces as a leading Wellness Hub and Medical Valley in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). The event, held from 09:00 to 16:30 at the Sarasin Room, Sirikunakorn Building, also included a public hearing session to refine the strategic framework through citizen input.
The workshop was presided over by Assoc. Prof. Cholatip Pongskul, M.D., Assistant to the President for Strategic Plan Monitoring and Key Initiatives, Khon Kaen University. A representative from Health Service Support Center 7 delivered the opening remarks. The session was conducted in a hybrid format, combining onsite and online participation, and brought together leaders from academia, the private sector, international organizations, and civil society to drive forward a shared vision of regional transformation.
In his opening address, Assoc. Prof. Cholatip emphasized that this policy initiative could become a turning point for the Northeast. He underscored the importance of community-centered development as the foundation for enhancing wellness in the region. The strategic plan seeks to elevate public health and quality of life for communities in Khon Kaen, improve healthcare systems and develop zones for medical innovation, strengthen the medical device industry, and enhance the capabilities of entrepreneurs in health technology, wellness tourism, and cultural-based wellness services. It also promotes safe agricultural practices and healthy food systems while supporting long-term environmental sustainability.
Ms. Guohua Liu, Director of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Department at the Mekong Institute, remarked that this initiative represents a significant step in strengthening subregional cooperation on health. She offered recommendations for advancing environmentally sustainable development aligned with the goal of establishing a Wellness Hub and Medical Valley.
Mr. Juckrit Siripanich, Chairman of the Khon Kaen Chamber of Commerce, expressed confidence in the economic potential that this initiative could unlock. He emphasized that collaboration between the public and private sectors can lay the foundation for a new, resilient, and sustainable economic model for Khon Kaen and the greater Northeast.
This workshop not only laid the foundation for Khon Kaen’s transformation into a Wellness Hub and Medical Valley but also introduced a replicable development model that could be expanded to other provinces in the Northeast and integrated into broader efforts across the GMS. In doing so, it strengthens Thailand’s positioning as a regional center for wellness and healthcare excellence.
