On 8 December 2020, Mr. Yang Xin, Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Thailand, and Professor Sirirurg Songsivilai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation of the Kingdom of Thailand, signed in Bangkok the Memorandum of Understanding on the Cooperation on Projects of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund 2020. In accordance with the agreement, China will support Thailand’s universities and scientific institutions in such projects as haze management, Mekong River ecological protection and cassava industry transformation and upgrading.
Since the establishment of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) mechanism in 2016, universities and scientific institutions in Thailand has been actively participating in the implementation of projects supported by the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund (LMCSF). Up to date, Khon Kaen University, Chiang Mai University, National Institute of Metrology (NIMT) and National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), among other universities and scientific institutions, are making efforts to move forward projects in the fields of economic and industrial development, public health services and environmental protection, with the support of the LMCSF. Projects proposals from various institutions such as Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, Thammasat University, National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, Hydro-Informatics Institute are under review. Universities and Scientific Institutions’ active participation has seen the LMC progress in depth and substance, and provided intellectual and organizational support for sustainable development of the sub-region.