On Thursday, April 3, 2025, Maejo University officially launched the project titled “LMC Spice Routes: The Development of Gastronomy and Cultural Tourism Platform” at Royal Star Meeting Room, 5th Floor, Office Building, Maejo University, Chiang Mai. The initiative is supported by the Lancang-Mekong Special Fund under the collaboration between Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand for the year 2024.
The project is led by Dr. Kanjana Sommit, from Maejo International College, with Dr. Nitath Boonpaisalsatit from Faculty of Liberal Arts as the project coordinator. The opening ceremony was presided over by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Weerapon Thongma, President of Maejo University, joined by university executives, faculty members, and over 40 participants both on-site and via Zoom.
Participants included spice farmers, producers, sellers, chefs, specialists, media representatives, and academics working in the spice industry. Their involvement reflects the diverse stakeholders engaged in shaping the cultural and economic landscape of the Mekong region.
The project aims to achieve three key objectives:
1.To create and exchange knowledge on spices and food culture in the Mekong region 2.To develop a digital platform and spice-based tourism routes 3.To formulate marketing strategies for gastronomic and cultural spice tourism in the region The project is implemented in collaboration with partner organizations from four countries:
• Thailand: Maejo International College and Faculty of Liberal Arts, Maejo University
• China: Yunnan University of Science and Technology
• Lao PDR: Tiddin Social Enterprise
• Myanmar: Kokoya Organic Yangon and Myanmar Organic
The event also featured the signing of a research collaboration agreement and a knowledge-sharing session where participants exchanged insights and experiences related to spices and culinary heritage. The initiative fosters regional cooperation to promote cultural tourism and sustainable biodiversity conservation.