On 25 March 2026, Ms. Panalee Boonrat, a third-year student from the School of Law, proudly represented Thailand as a panelist for the session titled "Mekong–Lancang Youth Leadership: Empowering the Next Decade of Cooperation" during the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Week 2026.
Held at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel in Bangkok, the event commemorated official 10th anniversary of the establishment of the MLC. Co-organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand in collaboration with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand, the MLC Week 2026 served as both a commemorative and forward-looking platform. Its primary goal was to raise public and cross-sector awareness of the MLC while showcasing its tangible achievements to date.
The event placed particular emphasis on environmental and water-related cooperation, areas in which the MLC has delivered tangible results and where continued collaboration is urgently needed. The discussions highlighted the importance of empowering people and building resilience, particularly for communities most affected by transboundary environmental challenges.
The panel featured five youth representatives from China, Laos, and Thailand, who shared their perspectives on the impacts of previous MLC projects. They also discussed how the MLC can further enhance youth engagement and leadership, proposing concrete steps to foster deeper and more meaningful cooperation among young people across the Mekong-Lancang region.
When asked about her vision for the Mekong-Lancang region and its rivers over the next decade, and how she plans to contribute to that vision, Ms. Panalee noted that Chiang Rai is home to seven rivers. Four of these, including the Mekong River, are international rivers shared by multiple countries. She highlighted that communities living along these rivers often lack access to critical information and are excluded from the decision-making processes, despite being directly affected by climate change-induced environmental issues. These complex challenges span from local communities to international governments. Over the next ten years, she envisions revitalized rivers where communities possess the power to shape their own futures. She advocated for accessible environmental knowledge and decision-making processes that involve participation from youth and local communities at both the local and regional levels.
As a co-founder of the MFU Human Rights Club and a member of the Thai Climate Justice for All (TCJA) network—which advocates for the rights of nature and rivers—Ms. Panalee has been actively involved in environmental research supporting communities affected by river pollution. She has also championed climate action through various campaigns. She described her role as a bridge connecting science and society, translating research into accessible and practical tools for communities. Furthermore, she acts as a link between communities and policymakers, amplifying the voices of those affected within decision-making spaces, and as a unifying force connecting youth across the Mekong region to collaborate and drive cross-border change.
She concluded, “I believe change does not start from something big; but it can start from connection. Youth can be the bridge that connects people to the future, to the Mekong river.”
As an integral part of the Mekong-Lancang region, Mae Fah Luang University (MFU) has not only initiated cross-border cooperation to address shared challenges but remains steadfast in its determination to cultivate global citizens. MFU is dedicated to fostering well-being and a sustainable future by nurturing students who are equipped with global awareness, a profound sense of environmental responsibility, and a strong commitment to contributing to society.
