Chula, ThaiHealth, and TSRI Sign MOU on Coastal Management and Climate Action 

Chulalongkorn University, together with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and the Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), held a ceremony to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the “Coastal Resource and Environmental Management and Climate Change Adaptation in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand Coastal Areas” project.  The collaboration aims to integrate scientific knowledge, research, and innovation to drive social action, support community organization and capacity building, and promote cooperation and integrated operations among public-sector funding agencies. 

The MOU signing ceremony was held on Friday, December 26, 2025, at Room 202, Chamchuri 4 Building, Chulalongkorn University. The event began with a special panel discussion on “Integrating Coastal Resource and Environmental Management and Climate Change Adaptation in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand Coastal Areas.” The panelists included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nopporn Leepreechanon, Deputy Director of TSRI; Dr. Pairoj Saonuam, Deputy Manager of ThaiHealth; Prof. Dr. Voranop Viyakarn, Director of the Aquatic Resources Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University; and Prof. Dr. Pornanong Aramwit, Vice President of Chulalongkorn University, who presented the background, overview, and integration approach of the three organizations. 

Following the discussion, remarks were delivered on the importance and roles of each organization under the MOU, after which the formal signing ceremony took place. The MOU was signed by Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University; Prof. Dr. Sompong Klaynongsruang, Director of TSRI; and Dr. Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, Manager of ThaiHealth. 

The MOU on “Coastal Resource and Environmental Management and Climate Change Adaptation in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand Coastal Areas” aims to support coastal resource and environmental management in these regions by applying an area-based development approach and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework. The scope covers resource and environmental management, safety and infrastructure—such as tourism, transportation systems, and early warning systems—as well as economic, social, and cultural security in local communities. 

Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, stated that this collaboration goes far beyond a symbolic agreement. It represents a concrete partnership to deliver real outcomes as a New Year’s gift to the Thai people, by applying knowledge, research, and innovation to the management of natural resources and the environment—particularly coastal areas, which are vital national assets in terms of the environment, economy, and tourism. The collaboration emphasizes addressing climate change, which directly affects the environment, public health, and quality of life. It highlights the use of science, technology, and innovation to transform invisible problems—such as air quality and pollution—into understandable data that can lead to systematic prevention and solutions, alongside holistic health promotion for both physical and mental well-being. He also underscored the role of universities in instilling conservation awareness among youth and students, fostering a sense of ownership and long-term social responsibility. Sustainable resource and environmental management, he emphasized, cannot be achieved by any single organization, but requires integrated efforts from academia, government, and health organizations to sustainably improve the quality of life of the Thai people. 

Prof. Dr. Sompong Klaynongsruang, Director of TSRI, spoke about TSRI’s mission to foster collaboration among agencies and revolving funds, serving as a coordinating body with Program Management Units (PMUs) and Fundamental Fund agencies in both the public and private sectors. This coordination links efforts to national strategic plans and helps drive and continuously enhance an efficient research database system for coastal resource and environmental management in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. 

Dr. Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, Manager of ThaiHealth, noted that Thailand is facing an environmental crisis with wide-ranging health impacts, affecting communities across health, economic, social, and ecosystem dimensions. Without proper management, the consequences could be severe. The collaboration among the three organizations will strengthen effective and sustainable coastal resource and environmental management and climate change adaptation in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, reducing long-term impacts across all dimensions. 

Prof. Dr. Pornanong Aramwit, Vice President of Chulalongkorn University, discussed the overall picture and integration approach of the three organizations. She emphasized ThaiHealth’s key role in reaching community leaders and effectively channeling funding to local areas—mechanisms that universities and academic institutions cannot directly implement. At the same time, TSRI plays a crucial role in setting policy-oriented frameworks. This collaboration therefore complements the strengths of each organization, leading to tangible outcomes and real social benefits. Communities benefit comprehensively—economically, ecologically, and environmentally—through close engagement with academics and local experts. Moreover, the collaborative mechanism enables research knowledge to be applied concretely in the field, with Chulalongkorn University serving as a central knowledge hub to genuinely reach communities and effectively respond to TSRI policies. It also serves as an important mechanism for integrating efforts across government, academia, the private sector, civil society, and local authorities to generate tangible, sustainable, and scalable long-term outcomes. 

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