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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
Story by JARUNEE TAEMSAMRAN
 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.
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