From 21 June to 1 July 2025, the Royal Thai Embassy in Astana advanced Thailand’s role in “Development Diplomacy” through the implementation of a flagship project aimed at strengthening health security capacity for medical and public health professionals from the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan. The project was funded by the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

On this occasion, Her Excellency Mrs. Piyapin Niyomrerks, Ambassador of Thailand to Kazakhstan, entrusted Dr. Orathai Phubunlap Gunaseelan, Counsellor of the Royal Thai Embassy in Astana, to lead a delegation of eight distinguished medical professors from the International Higher School of Medicine of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Avicenna Tajik State Medical University of Republic of Tajikistan, to visit Thailand for a study visit and exchange of knowledge with leading Thai institutions in the field of health and medicine.

Bangkok: Study Visits and Building Partnerships with Leading Thai Medical Institutions
The visit began in Bangkok, where the delegation was warmly welcomed by Dr. Surangkana Techapaitoon, Deputy CEO of Samitivej and BNH hospital group. The foreign delegates visited Samitivej Children’s Hospital International, the largest private pediatric hospital in Thailand. They also visited Samitivej Chinatown Hospital, where they were received by Dr. Saran Intakul, Director of the Hospital, who presented the Hospital’s specialized services. This was followed by a visit to BNH Hospital, the first private medical center in Thailand, where the delegation learned about its strengths in orthopedic surgery and premium health services.

The delegation later held fruitful discussions with the executive team of Chulabhorn Royal Academy, led by Emeritus Professor Dr. Ratchata Ratchatanawin, Acting Deputy Secretary General Chulabhorn Royal Academy, and Dr. Thakoon Panich, also Acting Deputy Secretary General. The visit included lectures from the medical team on the topics of emergency preparedness and response and infection control, as well as a tour of Chulabhorn Hospital.

The delegation also met with the executive team of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand’s oldest and most prestigious medical school. The visit featured presentations on medical education, research, and the institution’s impactful role in Thai society, as well as discussions on future collaboration.

Khon Kaen: Sharing Expertise in Tropical Disease and Community Healthcare
The delegation continued to Khon Kaen Province, a recognized center of excellence in tropical medicine in Southeast Asia. They paid a courtesy call on Mr. Siriwat Pinijpanich, Deputy Governor of Khon Kaen Province, to discuss potential collaborations in education, tourism, healthcare, and other areas.

The group also met with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanchai Panthongviriyakul, President of Khon Kaen University, and the executive team of the Faculty of Medicine. They visited Srinagarind Hospital, where they received briefings on the Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute and the Academic Clinical Research Office (ACRO), a leading institution in clinical research management.

A key highlight of the visit was a field trip to Samran Sub-district Health Promoting Hospital and Sam Lieum Primary Healthcare Unit, which demonstrated Thailand’s proactive and preventive healthcare model at the community level, particularly in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Pattaya: Integrating Healthcare and Quality Medical Tourism

The final leg of the program took place in Pattaya City, a major hub for Thailand’s medical tourism. The delegation learned about integrated healthcare and wellness services provided by local private hospitals such as Bangkok Hospital Pattaya and Pattaya Memorial Hospital, which combine medical treatment with leisure for international patients.

The group also visited local beaches and tourist attractions to better understand the preferences of tourists from Central Asia, a landlocked region, and to explore opportunities to promote Thailand as a premier destination for health and wellness tourism in the region.

From Knowledge to Cooperation, from Cooperation to Friendship – For the Sustainable Health of Humanity

This flagship initiative, driven by the Royal Thai Embassy in Astana, which oversees both the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan, reflects Thailand’s vision to share its internationally recognized public health expertise with friendly nations in Central Asia. The eight participating medical professors from both countries have witnessed Thailand’s warm hospitality and open and generous sharing of medical knowledge throughout the visit.

The project reflects Thailand’s commitment and leadership in Development Diplomacy and the country’s growing role as a Medical Hub of the region, where health, medicine, and development are seamlessly integrated with diplomacy to uplift the quality of life of people around the world in a sustainable manner.