Tag: Thailand

The Chulalongkorn Bariatric and Metabolic Institute (Chula BMI) launched ObesityConnects, a Line Official platform to connect obese patients to continuous treatment from specialists, while offering preventative information and daily health check-up features for the public who wish to stave off obesity.

Obesity is a health problem threatening the quality of life of Thai people. Data from the Chula BMI reveals alarming statistics that currently among every 3 people in Thailand, 1 person has obesity! This trend appears to be increasing every year. 

People with obesity often suffer from many other accompanying diseases, such as fatty liver, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, lung disease, liver cirrhosis, gallstones, cancer, etc. All of these are diseases that undermine quality of life, require long treatment periods with high costs, and are causes of premature death. 

Preventing obesity or completely recovering from obesity is therefore the best approach. However, losing weight to reach appropriate levels is easier said than done, as it is not just a matter of treatment through surgery or medication alone. It also involves behavioral changes in eating habits, daily activities, and exercise. Patients need to receive correct knowledge about self-care, continuous encouragement, and ongoing support. 

For this reason, the Chula BMI has initiated the “ObesityConnects” Line Official Account that compiles accurate knowledge about obesity and holistic health care. This allows obesity patients and the general public to learn and take care to stay away from obesity continuously and sustainably.

 Prof. Dr. Suthep Udomsawaengsup, bariatric surgeon and Director of Chula BMI, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, explained the purpose of ObesityConnects as “Sustainability is the ultimate answer for treating every disease. When patients have lost weight, the next goal is to maintain good health and an appropriate weight permanently. Sustainability can only occur when we keep patients in continuous contact with us, patients have follow-up monitoring, and there are tools to help alert and remind patients that it’s time to take care of their health, prompting them to return to self-care before problems develop and become more difficult to resolve.” 

“This platform will serve as a hub for healthcare information, connecting doctors, interdisciplinary professionals, and patients who have direct experience with obesity to share their knowledge. Ultimately, it connects people in society to raise awareness about healthcare and obesity prevention.” 

Currently, ObesityConnects is being used with patients at Chula BMI and in hospital networks that provide care for obesity patients, such as Thammasat University Hospital, Bangkok Hospital, and Srinagarind Hospital. 

“We discussed within the Thai Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery that a platform should be created that can be used by all patients, regardless of where they are receiving treatment. The platform is currently in the process of being adapted for other centers to use and can be divided into patients’ confidential information and public areas for exchanging knowledge about obesity,” said Prof. Dr. Suthep. 

Connect Patients to Continuous Treatment  

Prof. Dr. Suthep stated that both new and old patients at Chula BMI will be invited to use the ObesityConnects platform. The process is simple: add the Line account and register with personal information, weight, height, hospital name, and patient number. Then, the data will be synced with the hospital’s database.

“The function that is now available is monitoring obesity patients to see how they are doing after surgery. We want patients to communicate with the treatment team at all times. Patients can fill in daily data such as blood results and various diseases and talk with medical personnel at the center. Patients can rest assured that regardless of where they are, someone will be monitoring their care and providing basic advice.” 

 “Specialists can access patients’ data and add information when patients come for check-ups at the center to make the database as complete as possible.” 

Approximately 600-700 users have visited ObesityConnects since the launch at the beginning of April this year. 

“Users are impressed that they receive accurate information and are confident that if something happens to them, specialists can directly answer their questions. They can take basic care of themselves and can make appointments to meet with specialists. This feature makes them feel less isolated, well-cared for, and closely monitored, which aligns with our objectives.” 

Next, Prof. Dr. Suthep revealed that the ObesityConnects team will upgrade the database to a national level called the National Registry to collect data on how many people have undergone obesity treatment surgery and what the treatment outcomes are in order to monitor treatment and the quality of obesity care. 

Prof. Dr. Suthep is confident that the platform will allow those who enter the procedure to gain the most benefits from the treatment and receive sustainable treatment for their obesity.

Connect to Keep Obesity Away   

The ObesityConnects Line OA can be used not only by obesity patients but also by the general public. Simply add Line, then register. Apart from the function to monitor health conditions, ObesityConnects also provides various useful health information:

• Daily Health Records: Record daily information, such as weight, food consumed at each meal, daily water intake, exercise, and other symptoms that occur each day. 
• Daily Food Calorie Check: Check how many kilocalories foods provide; for example, 100 grams of pork fried rice provides 181 kilocalories, 100 grams of rice mixed with shrimp paste provides 191 kilocalories, and 100 grams of tuna salad provides 86 kilocalories. 
• Energy Check: Monitor energy burned during exercise; for example, walking for 1 hour burns 183 kilocalories, running for 1 hour burns 588 kilocalories, and swimming for 1 hour burns 514 kilocalories. 
• Truth About Weight: A website that provides knowledge about obesity, such as obesity in women, obesity in adolescents, and how obesity affects long-term health. 
• Frequently Asked Questions about obesity treatment: For example, treatment procedures at Chula BMI, what to do if there are abnormal symptoms after surgery, and when and where King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital conducts blood tests. 

Using these functions will serve as a personal health diary for every user, said Prof. Dr. Suthep.

“People must be self-aware and constantly monitor their health, including weight, blood test results, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels. They should get regular check-ups because these are key indicators that warn us when our health sustainability is beginning to deteriorate. If weight increases, it must be reduced through better dietary control and regular exercise.”

Currently, the ObesityConnects team has been in discussions with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and health partners about expanding this platform as a tool for preventing obesity among the general population. 

“We expect the ObesityConnects platform to serve as a personal tool for each individual to monitor and care for their health, as well as provide data that will help guide what types of and how much exercise and what types of food in what quantities will help control weight and reduce weight from risk levels to normal levels, making people’s health more secure and sustainable.” 

Connect to Keep Obesity Away  

In addition to treating patients with obesity, preventive approaches to obesity are also important. Chula BMI has initiated activities such as an exercise promotion campaign called “125 Days, 4 Medical Schools towards Good Health,” which encourages personnel from four medical schools—Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University; Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University; Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University; and Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University—to exercise and record their exercise activities on Line OA. 

“Each group must input their health and exercise data, which will be scored with rewards given within the specified timeframe,” said Prof. Dr. Suthep. “This period is a trial phase for us to see what needs to be improved, how it works when implemented, whether users can easily input data, and to help them understand what level of health their daily exercise has reached.” 

The “125 Days, 4 Medical Schools towards Good Health” will finish around June. Prof. Dr. Suthep hopes to adapt this activity to the ObesityConnects platform as a tool to encourage awareness in healthcare.

“Obesity treatment and prevention are matters that must be done together. I tell every health fund that pays for obesity treatment for Thai people that we must also prevent obesity. All funds recognize our importance and support us as a hub to encourage society to take care of their health and prevent the increase of people with obesity.” 

“Understanding and Care”: What Obesity Patients Need 

No one wants to be obese, and obesity is something that can happen to anyone. Prof. Dr. Suthep said, “We must first understand that obese people don’t want to be obese. It’s just that there are many factors beyond food and exercise, such as environmental factors and hormones, that prevent metabolism from functioning at the level it should, causing weight to increase significantly. If we understand this, we’ll know that they don’t want to have obesity either.” 

In addition to understanding, caring is also important. “Caring means encouraging them to overcome obesity—whether it’s encouraging them to return to taking care of their health, or if they really can’t manage it, entering the treatment process, whether through medication or surgery. In the end, they will be able to return to society like everyone else.” 

If you are 1 in 3 of the population with obesity, you can access  ObesityConnects to begin obesity treatment with the medical staff of Chula BMI. Even if you are among the 2 in 3 of the population who do not yet have obesity, you can also make use of ObesityConnects to prevent obesity and sustainably maintain your health.

Read more at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/261004/

The Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University, led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Pareena Srivanit, Dean of the Faculty of Law, participated in the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Office of the Judiciary, represented by Mr. Thiratai Charoenwong, Secretary-General of the Office of the Judiciary, and the National Digital ID Company Limited (NDID), represented by Mr. Boonsun Prasitsumrit, Managing Director, with the support of the Thai Bankers’ Association and the Association of State Financial Institutions, on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at the Chom View Room, 22nd Floor, Office of the Judiciary Building, Ratchadaphisek Road. 

The collaboration between the Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University, the Office of the Judiciary, and NDID—supported by the Thai Bankers’ Association and the Association of State Financial Institutions—aims to expand public access to judicial services through COJ Connect, utilizing digital identity verification and authentication via the NDID Platform. 

This signing marks another significant step for Chulalongkorn’s Faculty of Law in driving the adoption of digital technology in judicial services, creating a system that is efficient, transparent, secure, and responsive to the needs of citizens in the digital era. The initiative also paves the way for knowledge development and future advancements in digital justice systems. 

Read more at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/257344/

Chulalongkorn University was recognized for its performance in the Integrity and Transparency Assessment (ITA) for the 2025 fiscal year at the ITA DAY & ITA AWARDS 2025, organized by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) under the theme “Active for Change – Transparency, Drive, Transformation.” The event was broadcast nationwide via Facebook and YouTube. 

This year’s results reflect that “transparency is not only a standard but an organizational culture cultivated at Chula.” The university achieved a rating of “Good” with a score of 91.62 points (an increase of +2.63 points). Both the overall ITA score and individual assessment tool scores were above 85, highlighting key strengths. 

Notably, in the OIT (Open Data Integrity and Transparency Assessment), Chulalongkorn maintained a perfect score of 100 in two indicators — Indicator 9: Information Disclosure and Indicator 10: Corruption Prevention — for the sixth consecutive year. This demonstrates strong transparency in public data. In the EIT (External Integrity and Transparency Assessment), the number of respondents tripled, reflecting growing participation and confidence among external stakeholders, including undergraduate and graduate students, as well as online learners via MOOCs. 

Meanwhile, the IIT (Internal Integrity and Transparency Assessment) revealed ongoing challenges in communication and internal motivation. The university has acknowledged these and prepared proactive plans for 2026 to strengthen a culture of participation and shared accountability at all levels. 

Next Steps: Transparency as a Strategic Advantage 

For the fiscal year 2026, Chulalongkorn University will move forward by: 

• Prioritizing corruption prevention: Taking swift action in cases of staff misconduct, while communicating deterrence and promoting awareness through training programs such as Chula Newcomers, Chula Prospect Development Program, and other continuous workshops. 
• Integrating ITA with Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and EdPEx quality assurance at the faculty and departmental levels. 
• Advancing data-driven decision making to enhance accuracy in management. 
• Empowering CU-ITA Agents as “Change Agents” to drive cultural transformation, not just as survey respondents. 
• Strengthening the Whistleblower System with transparent and secure status tracking to build public confidence. 
• Promoting the AI University initiative by linking AI and Data Science expertise with university governance and stakeholder engagement. 

A University of Trust and Global Responsibility 

For Chulalongkorn University, ITA is not merely an evaluation but an opportunity to elevate its credibility as a model of transparency in Thai society and as a leading international university. Guided by the Chula Togetherness 2024–2028 Strategy, the university remains committed to advancing as a Transparent University — one that is data-driven, leads society toward sustainability, and upholds its role as a “hub of knowledge and trust” on the global stage. 

Read more at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/256660/

The Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) held a press conference to launch the “Thai University Central Admission System 2026 (TCAS69): Opportunities for All” on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Raktanakit Auditorium, 2nd Floor, Suan Dusit University. The event was attended by Ms. Sudawan Wangsupakitkosol, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI); Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of MHESI; Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University and Chairman of CUPT; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pomthong Malakul Na Ayudhaya, Secretary-General of CUPT; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Charlie Charoenlappanopparat, TCAS69 System Manager; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pariya Na Nakorn, TCAS69 Examination Manager. 

CUPT declared its commitment to “A New Step for TCAS69: Opportunities for All” with TCASfolio—a standardized digital portfolio platform, statistical database, and financial support scheme to promote equal access to education. Continuing from last year, CUPT reaffirmed its mission to build a transparent, fair, and inclusive selection process that reduces inequality and helps students prepare comprehensively. For the 2026 academic year, 82 higher education institutions are participating in the TCAS69 system. 

Ms. Sudawan Wangsupakitkosol, MHESI Minister, stated that CUPT plays a key role in working with the ministry to develop TCAS: Opportunities for All—an initiative to expand equitable educational opportunities for every youth. Recognizing that education should not be limited by financial burdens, the ministry has allocated funding in 2026 to cover student application fees under TCAS. This includes:

• TGAT exam fees at 100 baht per subject 
• TPAT exam fees (including TPAT1) at 140 baht per subject 
• Admission Round (Round 3) fees, which allow students to apply to up to 7 programs 

These measures underscore the government’s commitment to invest in equal access to education while reducing financial barriers. 

Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, Chula President and CUPT Chair, emphasized CUPT’s ongoing commitment to developing TCAS into a transparent, fair, and inclusive admission system. This year, 82 universities are participating. In the Portfolio Round, participating universities agreed to prioritize the quality and accuracy of applicants’ information rather than the “aesthetics” of the portfolio. Clear scoring criteria and evaluation components will be announced on https://www.mytcas.com/ to ensure equal access to information. 

CUPT has also developed TCASfolio, a free tool to create standardized portfolios. Students can input their activities, achievements, and awards, and upload images. The system will automatically generate a PDF file and a shareable link for submission. Trial use of TCASfolio will begin in October 2025, helping reduce workload while ensuring a standardized format across institutions. 

To ensure fairness, TCAS69 has introduced “reserve examination days” in case of unforeseen disruptions. CUPT assured parents and students that every effort will be made to manage exams smoothly and fairly. 

The official TCAS69 calendar has been released, covering all four admission rounds, along with exam schedules for TGAT/TPAT and A-Level exams. Key dates include:

• Student registration on https://www.mytcas.com/ from October 28, 2025 
• TGAT/TPAT2–5 exams: December 13–15, 2025 
• A-Level exams: March 14–16, 2026 
• Exam registration: October 30 – November 6, 2025 

Exams will be offered in both Thai and English:

• Thai exams: Paper-Based Tests (PBT) 
• English exams (pilot): Computer-Based Tests (CBT) for TGAT (General Aptitude) and TPAT3 (Science & Engineering Aptitude). CBT registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. A-Level exams will remain paper-based, and students may take their question papers home after the test. 

Additionally, past exams and statistical data will be published starting August 18, 2025, on https://www.mytcas.com/. This includes 2025 A-Level exams with answer keys and TCAS68 selection statistics, helping students plan and prepare more effectively. 

Exam fees for 2026 remain unchanged: 

• TGAT/TPAT: 140 baht per subject 
• A-Level: 100 baht per subject 
• These rates have not increased for over 19 years. 

“TCAS69 is not only a central admission system but also a significant step toward raising the standards of Thai education — ensuring fairness, equality, and open opportunities for all youth nationwide,” said Prof. Dr. Wilert.

Read more at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/256687/

Chulalongkorn University has granted an educational scholarship to Ms. Tawanachai Linla, a professional nurse at Surin Hospital and wife of Sergeant Amarin Phasuk of the 3rd Infantry Battalion, who lost his life in the line of duty defending Thailand’s sovereignty at the Prasat Ta Muen Thom border area with Cambodia. She has been admitted to pursue a Master of Nursing Science in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (part-time program) in the first semester of the 2025 academic year, with full financial support covering the entire 2-year program. 

On August 18, 2025, at the Borommarajonnani Sri Satapat 11th-floor conference room, Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, presided over the scholarship award ceremony and offered words of encouragement to Ms. Tawanachai, now a graduate student at the Faculty of Nursing under this special support program. 

This scholarship reflects Chulalongkorn University’s policy to support the spouses and children of soldiers who sacrificed their lives in defense of national sovereignty along the Thai–Cambodian border. On August 12, 2025, the President and university executives visited Surin Hospital to express their care and officially announce this policy. 

Prof. Dr. Wilert emphasized that the University recognizes the ultimate sacrifice of the nation’s brave soldiers, under the principle that “all Thais are one family.” Therefore, Chulalongkorn has allocated a comprehensive scholarship for the fallen soldier’s spouse to pursue a master’s degree, covering tuition fees, academic expenses, monthly living allowance, textbooks, and learning materials throughout the 2-year program. 

“This scholarship is not only about free education but also an expression of care, solidarity, and the bond among the Thai people. The families of fallen soldiers are part of our family, and we must take care of one another. This initiative reflects Chulalongkorn’s commitment not only to producing knowledgeable graduates but also to standing by the people in every circumstance—together building a strong and resilient Thai society,” said the President. 

Prof. Dr. Ratsiri Thato, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, added that the faculty fully supports the University’s policy and has admitted Ms. Tawanachai into the part-time master’s program in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing for the first semester of academic year 2025. The scholarship covers tuition, monthly allowance, books, educational supplies, and access to academic journals. 

Ms. Tawanachai expressed her gratitude, saying she feels deeply honored to receive this scholarship from Chulalongkorn University. She shared that her inspiration stemmed from conversations with her late husband, who once encouraged her and set a goal that she would study at Chulalongkorn one day—a dream now fulfilled. 

Her decision to specialize in child and adolescent mental health comes from her awareness of the growing severity of mental health problems in society, coupled with the shortage of specialized professionals. She noted that “children are like young seedlings—if we focus only on physical health while neglecting mental well-being, their overall development will be compromised.” 

She views this opportunity to pursue a master’s degree as a critical step in improving the quality of life for children, families, and the wider community. For her, the scholarship is not only a personal honor but also a responsibility to give back to society, becoming a force to help advance the mental health and well-being of Thai children and youth.

Read more at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/256675/

Chulalongkorn University congratulates Mr. Withai Rattanakorn on the occasion of his royal appointment as the 25th Governor of the Bank of Thailand. 

Mr. Withai is an alumnus of Chulalongkorn University, holding master’s degrees from both the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Law. 

Read more at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/255712/