Positioning itself as a tourist attraction as well as a centre of learning, the Mae Fah Luang University is poised to set a new benchmark for the development of tourism in Chiang Rai.
The Mae Fah Luang University (MFLU) in Chiang Rai is more than a centre of learning. Sitting resplendently on a sprawling 5,000-rai in Muang District of this northern province , it's surrounded by pristine mountain scenery. It was conceived in such a way that its appeal would transcend students and reach tourists visiting the Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand , Laos and Burma meet.
Blessed with panoramic views of vast green fields, winding roads, forested parks and gardens, the MFLU is a perfect blend of modern buildings, sports and recreational centre set against the backdrop of breathtaking mountain scenery.
"It's a town in itself. Here you can find everything you want: convenience stores, sports fields, public areas, recreation centre, banking services and cafeterias," said Rachadaporn Pimprapan, its public relations officer as she drove me around the campus.
It's hard to imagine the ground where the campus sits today not very long ago was a deforested patch at the mercy of illegal loggers and farmers who wrought severe damage to the environment and local ecology.
The plan to build the university there was first mooted in 1997.
"If we had let encroachment continue, the damage would have been more severe. The idea to build a university there was also a way to restore the land and return it to its rightful owners, the public," said Dr Wanchai Sirichana, president of the university who pioneered the idea and also saw it come to fruitition.
The university is separate from the Mae Fah Luang Foundation in the same province. It was named in honour of the Princess Mother who made Chiang Rai her home and initiated several development projects to help underprivileged people.
Apart from its role on the academic side, Dr Vanchai aims to turn MFLU into a trendsetter for tourism development in Chiang Rai.
"For many years now, Chiang Rai hasn't had a major tourism development. The province has been relying on the same old attractions like the Golden Triangle and royally-sponsored projects on Doi Tung to draw visitors. The opening of the university should mark the start of a new era in promoting tourism in the province," he said.
Since the MFLU, like other universities around the country, is no longer privy to financial support from the government, Dr Wanchai has had to devise other ways to raise money for the university. To that end, he has launched a reforestation campaign under which 50,000 trees have already been planted in and around the campus, and it will be maintained in the years to come. The idea is to give the campus a park theme with landscaped lawns and gardens to attract visitors.
"We want it to be not only an academic institution but also a place of recreation where people can come to learn, rest and relax," said Dr Vanchai.
Self-drive tourists will appreciate its winding roads that offer breathtaking mountain view .
That aside, its Sirindhorn Chinese Language and Cultural Centre is a must-see attraction. Built with support from the Chinese government, it boasts genuine Chinese architecture and exotically landscaped gardens and pools that look more like paintings on canvas than for real. It charges visitors a 10-baht entry fee.
The centre reflects strong Thai-Chinese bonds cultivated by HRH Princess Sirindhorn, an avid scholar of Chinese art and history. It will soon introduce courses in Chinese for which it plans to recruit instructors from the mainland. From languages to history and politics, students can enroll for a wide selection of courses. In due course it's expected to become the prime centre for Chinese studies in the entire northern region.
To further spur the tourism industry in Chiang Rai, the university hopes to promote the province as a medical spa destination. Some time next year it will open a 24-room full-service facility on its campus run and managed by seasoned hands.
According to Dr Wanchai, it's likely to be called the "Mind and Body Wellness Centre" and combine alternative or applied Thai and modern medicine practices.
"Our plan is to make it a venue for people, not sick people, to come and join our rehabilitation programmes. It'll include everything from health check-up and spa treatment to controlling food intake," he said.
The university is also drawing up a master plan under which it will set up and run its own travel agency. Dr Wanchai wants to tap the services of academics for he is convinced they can play a major role in promoting tourism in the province.
Bangkok Post August 2005 www.bangkokpost.com
