Thai herbal wisdom and modern science fuse to further the cause of tourism in Prachin Buri
The Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in Prachin Buri is famous for its herbal products. Driving there, I was looking forward to a quick visit as all I wanted to do was buy cosmetics and toiletries and move on.
But I couldn't have been more wrong.
The place was more than a hospital: it had a Baroque-style mansion nearly 100 years old built to host the royalty, a temple and a museum, but it was the wealth of information about the Kingdom's herbal heritage that impressed me most and I was left with no choice but to prolong my visit and learn about the place.
" Thailand is increasingly earning a name for itself as a medical hub, while traditional medicine is receiving greater acceptance from the general public these days," said Dr Supaporn Pitiporn, one of the leading pharmacists at the hospital.
At the start of the new millennium, she said, the hospital set up the Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital (CAF) to preside over the building of a health care system based on the use of herbal products for healing and medical treatment, with emphasis on conservation of nature and ecology. True organic agricultural practices, she added, ensure a safer environment for everyone including farmers and consumers.
Since the early 1980s, the hospital has been applying scientific methodology and strict quality control to manufacture herbal products based on traditional Thai medicine/massage wisdom, thereby reducing dependence on imported drugs.
The hospital offers tours of its manufacturing facilities and communities that supply organic raw materials used in making herbal products marketed under the Abhaibhubejhr brandname.
The hospital got its name from the governor of Prachin Buri during the reign of King Rama V, who built a mansion in 1909 to receive the monarch scheduled to visit the province around that time. Unfortunately, the visit didn't materialise as the king passed away the following year.
However, his successor King Rama VI visited Prachin Buri in 1911 and stayed there, as have other members of the royalty in the years since.
The irony is the governor, Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr, himself never got to live in the mansion and after he passed away in 1922, his heirs presented the mansion to King Rama VI who in turn passed it on to Queen Suvadana - Chao Phya's daughter. Many years later she donated the building to the state.
In 1941, the property opened to public as Prachin Buri Provincial Hospital , but in 1966 it was renamed Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in honour of its builder.
Other points of interest there are the Khaw Phichitra Temple and a museum that showcases artifacts of medical and historical significance.
Dr Supaporn said Prachin Buri is not only famous for fruits but also herbal treatment and massage. Its cause is also helped by its proximity to Khao Yai National Park .
"Hospitals in general are places where sick people come to seek treatment. Here, we have won various awards, including the "Best Tourist Destination", not because we cure sick patients but because our visitors are interested in learning about indigenous medicine.
"They visit local communities that provide us with raw materials and then visit the herbal museum. The traditional massage we offer draws hordes of visitors not only from Bangkok but also the provinces. We are happy to do our part in promoting the province as a medical hub," she said.
The hospital can tailor packages to specific tastes. The most popular by far is the Thai massage and herbal tour. This is a whole-day affair from 9:30am to 4:30pm that begins with herbal drinks and desserts. Tourists visit a museum showcasing Thai herbal medicine backed by a presentation titled "Get to know your herbs".
Lunch consists of hygienic food followed by a demonstration of herbal compress during which herbal desserts and tea are served. Visitors then get to select from a list that includes everything from traditional face, foot and body massage. They can also learn how to massage themselves to release tension and stress.
The tour concludes with a visit to the Abhaibhubejhr Herbal Centre to observe the production of cosmetics and toiletries.
Dr Supaporn said CAF is exploring the possibility of introducing spa treatment which should appeal to visitors spending the night at the hospital. A building to accommodate this group of clients is being renovated to offer them a true retreat from the hassle of city life.
"We fully realise the value of Thai traditional massage. It has universal application for health of body, mind and spirit. Our aim is to expand our services to cater to the needs of different types of people.
"Tours to the museum include free herbal drinks. The wealth of knowledge visitors can acquire will help them to become more relaxed and adopt better eating habits," she said.
CAF also has a policy to invest in its staff. Dr Supaporn said masseurs are sent to learn aromatherapy abroad so they can return with better knowledge and help maximise the benefits from herbs found in Thailand . Plans are also afoot to invest in educating nutritionists and encourage them to come up with programmes for people with health problems like obesity and diabetes.
Visitors can also get a glimpse of life in Prachin Buri. After the economy crashed in 1997, Dr Supaporn said the hospital looked into ways to help local communities cope with the economic downturn by selling them herbal products at affordable prices. As the hospital depends on local sources of raw materials, it encouraged villagers to switch to organic farming by offering higher cash and other incentives.
The Baan Dongbang farming community is one such example. In 1999 the hospital launched a pilot project showcasing integrated approach to herbal farming ranging from cultivation and harvesting to post-harvest production, quality control and marketing. To encourage villagers, the hospital not only agreed to purchase all the herbs they produced, but also train them in organic farming.
I was given the opportunity to observe the community at work. I was impressed by the manner in which villagers toiled to collect plant extracts and other ingredients used in making cosmetics and toiletries.
Prachin Buri might be overshadowed by its next door attraction, Khao Yai, but after visiting the hospital, I believe the province has great potential to become the hub for health tours in the future.
Health tours at Abhaibhubejhr are priced at 900 baht per person on a minimum 10-person basis. For more information, contact Khun Kuk-kanang Kijsuwan at (037) 216-164.
Bangkok Post October 2005 www.bangkokpost.com
