Dr. Kanjana Sommit from the International College was honored to serve as a panel speaker at the forum titled “Thai Herbs Soft Power Go Inter.

The event was held at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Bangkok, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, in Hall 103–104.

The forum aimed to facilitate knowledge exchange on the utilization of herbs and spices to add value to the food industry, the development of distinctive products, and the promotion of the benefits of herbs and spices to the wider public.

On this occasion, Dr. Kanjana Sommit shared her knowledge and experience from conducting research in collaboration with local communities, focusing on the extension of local wisdom in Thai herbal practices. Thailand possesses a rich diversity of medicinal plants with strong potential for commercial product development. However, limitations remain in terms of public awareness and access to broader markets. She also presented examples of community-based research projects in which herbs and spices were developed and processed into value-added products in both food and health categories, such as herbal inhalers. These initiatives reflect the systematic integration of local wisdom with academic knowledge, leading to job creation, income generation, and economic upliftment.

Furthermore, she proposed strategies to enhance the potential of Thai herbs through the integration of academic knowledge, technology, and marketing. These include branding, packaging development, and the use of digital media for promotion, as well as fostering collaboration among academic institutions, the private sector, and local communities. These efforts aim to enable Thai herbal and spice products to compete sustainably in both domestic and international markets.

Her participation as a speaker highlights another significant role of the International College in translating academic knowledge into practical social applications and supporting the development of the country’s creative economy based on sustainable local resources.