Collaboration between Kasikornthai Foundation
Collaboration between Kasikornthai Foundation and Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Nakhon Nan Buddhist College to revive ancient medicine towards global R&D standards of medicinal plant development
Ms. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Chairperson of Kasikornthai Foundation (above right), and Ven. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phra Chayanandamunee, Director of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Nakhon Nan Buddhist College (above left), signed a memorandum of academic and research agreement, aimed at allowing the ancient Lanna medicine to undergo research and development at global standards of medicinal plant development. Apart from the aspect of preserving the ancient Lanna wisdom, the effort will serve to enhance the value of medicinal plants in Nan. This ancient medicinal knowledge was inscribed on palm leaves in the ancient Lanna language and kept at temples, which formerly served as centers of education and knowledge. The inscriptions will be compiled, classified, translated into the official Thai language, and academically certified. Then the medicinal formulas with potential will be researched and developed via relevant know-how to ensure that they match global standards of development to gain public confidence and acceptance.
This collaboration is part of the enhancement of medicinal plants under the Nan Sandbox Project with the objective of generating income for farmers, in parallel with the rehabilitation of the Nan headwater forest, which is the most abundant headwater forest of Thailand. The signing took place on September 5, 2023, via the Zoom online platform, with the following witnesses: Mr. Anan Lapsuksatit, Chairman of K Agro-Innovate Institute (below, second from right); Ms. Nuchsran Polwit, Manager of K Agro-Innovate Institute (below, first from right); Dr. Phra Maha Piya Thiranguro, Chairperson of Certificate Program of Lanna Language (below, first from left); and Assistant Professor Somkid Nanta, Deputy Director of Buddhist Research Center (below, second from left).
