On 29 February – 2 March 2024, Mae Fah Luang University co-hosted the Mekong Media Field Trip 2024 in Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong districts, Chiang Rai province. The Mekong Media Field Trip 2024, funded by the British Embassy in Hanoi under UK FCDO’s Funding, was organised by Research Institute for Climate change (DRAGON-Mekong), Can Tho University and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to offer field trips in Chiang Rai, Thailand and Can Tho, Vietnam from 29 February to 6 March 2024 to journalists and communicators from Vietnam and Thailand.
In the opening ceremony, there were speeches delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr.Darunee Wattanasiriwech, Vice President of Mae Fah Luang University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Van Pham Dang Tri, Director of DRAGON-Mekong; Ms. Ploypailin Rupavijetra, Senior Political Analyst of the British Embassy in Bangkok; Ms. Tran Phuong Mai, External Political Officer of the British Embassy in Hanoi; and Prof. Dr. Chung Hoang Chuong from VNU-HCM University of Social Sciences and Humanities respectively.
The project engaged journalists and communicators from two countries who are highly interested and recognised in terms of the Mekong region transboundary issues and sustainable development under climate change impacts. In addition, Mr. Nawin Worawek, a student of Accounting programme, the School of Management was selected to participate in this field trips as one of Thai journalists and communicators.
The main objectives of the field trips were to strengthen public awareness of the climate-induced shared challenges in the Lower Mekong region, to highlight existing and potential activities to address challenges, and to facilitate information-sharing among journalists and scientists.
During the field trip in Chiang Rai, participants visited Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong districts (districts located at the bank of the Mekong River) to observe and learn from perspectives of business sector, government sector, and local communities on the challenges in the Golden triangle area as well as the impacts of climate change and dams on people’s livelihood and the environment along the Mekong River.
Altogether, all participants are expected to become storytellers who connect diverse perspectives and foster a shared understanding by sharing voices and stories of the Mekong with the world.
