The Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, sent a delegation of six faculty members to participate in the “Symposium on China–Thailand–Vietnam Cross-Border Cooperation and Social Work Construction in Border Regions,” held from 21–23 November 2025 in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China. The symposium was hosted by Guangxi Normal University in collaboration with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), with academic support from partner universities in China and Vietnam. The event provided an important platform for scholars from the three countries to exchange insights on social policy, cross-border social work, community development, and issues of inequality in border regions.

The Chiang Mai University delegation consisted of six faculty members from the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Chanida Suwanprasit, Deputy Dean for Research and International Relations, was invited to deliver an opening remark and serve as a Keynote Speaker, presenting “Cross-Border Environmental Challenges and Hazard Risks: Lessons from Northern Thailand.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arratee Ayuttacorn served as Session Chair for Sub-Forum I: Needs and Policy Issues Concerning Cross-border Populations, and presented “Aging Across Borders: Health Care Access and Vulnerability Among Undocumented Shan Migrants in Northern Thailand.”

Asst. Prof. Dr. Tawee Chaipimonplin chaired Sub-Forum III: Community Building and Development, and presented “How Artificial Neural Network Forecasted the Largest Flood in a Century: A Case Study of Chiang Mai City, Thailand.”

Asst. Prof. Dr. Wanpen Charoentrakulpeeti presented the study “Community Participation in Asset-Based Community Development: The Case of Ban Pa Sak Ngam, Chiang Mai.”

Asst. Prof. Dr. Sakda Homhuan presented on “Satellite-Based Runoff Model for Flood Management.”

Dr. Panitda Saiyarod delivered a presentation titled “China–Laos–Thailand Railway: Social Connectivity and Regional Development.”

In addition to the academic presentations, the CMU delegation also engaged in discussions with the School of Social Policy, Guangxi Normal University to explore future collaborations, including student mobility programs, joint curriculum development, and cross-border research initiatives.

On 23rd November, the delegation participated in field activities beginning with a visit to the Memorial Hall of Vietnam School at Guangxi Normal University, followed by a community field study in Tong Community and nearby villages at the New Mutual Elderly Care Project Site in Dong Village, under the Datong Social Work Service Center, Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County, and Gaoshu Village, Liuzhou, to observe community-based elderly care and social work practices in ethnic and cross-border family settings.

This symposium marks an important step in strengthening academic cooperation across the Upper Mekong region and highlights the proactive role of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, in advancing regional research, community development, and international collaboration. The delegation has safely returned to Chiang Mai, and the Faculty extends its sincere appreciation to all organizing institutions for their warm hospitality and excellent support throughout the event.