PSU strengthens Thailand-Colombia partnership to advance health and wellness tourism capacity building
Prince of Songkla University (PSU) has successfully concluded an international capacity-building programme that brought together experts from Thailand and Colombia to strengthen knowledge, policy, and collaboration in Health Tourism. Implemented in partnership with the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and the Presidential Agency for International Cooperation of Colombia (APC Colombia), the project highlights PSU's growing role as a regional hub for international knowledge exchange and sustainable development.
The Capacity Building in Regulatory Framework and Infrastructure for
Health Tourism project was developed under the Thailand-Colombia
Development Cooperation Programme to share Thailand's internationally
recognized experience in building a comprehensive Health Tourism
Ecosystem. Beyond transferring technical knowledge, the initiative laid
the foundation for long-term collaboration in higher education,
research, innovation, and professional development between the two
countries.
The programme was delivered in two phases. An Online Workshop, held from
26 May to 11 June 2026, introduced Colombian participants to Thailand's
policy framework, regulatory systems, quality standards, and investment
strategies for health tourism. The workshop also explored the country's
transition toward a Wellness Economy and demonstrated how government
agencies, healthcare providers, universities, tourism operators, and the
private sector work together to create an integrated Health and
Wellness Tourism Ecosystem.
The technical visit began at Prince of Songkla University, Phuket Campus, where the delegation explored how higher education contributes to developing the future workforce for the health and wellness tourism industry through the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism. The programme also included visits to the Traditional Thai Medical Service Center and the Songklanagarind Digital Dental Centre, both of which are part of the Andaman Health and Wellness Center at PSU Phuket Campus established to address public health challenges across Thailand's Andaman region. These visits showcased the University's integrated approach to healthcare, wellness, and innovation in support of Thailand's growing health tourism sector.
To complement the online learning, six representatives from Colombia
travelled to Thailand for a technical visit from 15-23 July 2026,
allowing participants to observe best practices firsthand and engage
directly with leading institutions across the country.
In Songkhla, the delegation met with the University's executive leadership before visiting the Faculty of Medicine, Songklanagarind Hospital, and the Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, including the Traditional Thai Medicine Hospital. These visits demonstrated how PSU combines education, research, clinical excellence, and evidence-based traditional Thai medicine to create holistic healthcare services and health tourism products that serve both local communities and international visitors.
Participants also met the Songkhla Provincial Public Health Office to learn about provincial strategies for promoting holistic healthcare and sustainable health tourism. The programme concluded in Bangkok with a visit to BDMS Wellness Clinic, where the delegation gained insights into Thailand's Wellness Economy model, followed by a closing session at the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) to reflect on key achievements and identify future areas of collaboration.
The initiative demonstrates PSU's multidisciplinary strengths in medicine, traditional Thai medicine, health sciences, hospitality and tourism, research, and academic services. Equally important, it illustrates the University's ability to connect academia with government agencies, healthcare institutions, industry partners, and international organizations to address global challenges through collaborative innovation.
As global demand for integrated healthcare and wellness services continues to grow, initiatives such as this reinforce Prince of Songkla University's commitment to sharing knowledge beyond borders and contributing to sustainable international development. The Thailand–Colombia partnership not only enhances institutional collaboration but also creates new opportunities for joint research, academic exchange, professional training, and innovation in health tourism.
Through partnerships that bridge knowledge, policy, and practice, PSU continues to advance its vision of becoming a "Value-driven University for Sustainable Global Development", while contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through meaningful international engagement.