On 25th July – 2nd August 2015, Mrs. Pattrawan Vechasart, Deputy Director-General, Department of American and South Pacific Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led the Thai delegation  from various health-related Thai governmental agencies, private sector, academics and research institutions to visit Washington DC, North Carolina, and New York City. The Visit is part of the Thai-U.S. Creative Partnership Program on Health and Medical field. 

 

            The objective of this Visit is to discuss and exchange views with U.S. federal authorities, private organization, centers of excellence and academic institutions on thinking process, policy making process, and integrated rules and regulations in order to (1) promote and develop medical device and herbal product industries in Thailand, (2) to explore the opportunity of trade and investment cooperation between Thai and the U.S.’s private sectors, and (3) to build up a network for future joint research and technical cooperation on these areas. The delegation met and discussed with representatives from U.S. agencies, such as Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institute of Health (NIH), U.S National Arboretum, U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), Duke Integrative Medicine Center, North Carolina Research Triangle Park, Columbia University, and New York Office of Attorney General. Apart from the U.S. organizations’ visit, the delegation also had an opportunity to meet representatives from 5 Ave Thai Spa, a Thai-owned spa business in New York City.

 

            Health and Medical topic is one of the 7 pilot areas of cooperation under the Thai-U.S. Creative Partnership, especially medical device and herbal products industries in which Thailand has potential and abundant bio-resources. Moreover, Thailand is also located in the strategic location, which could benefit the country in becoming a hub of medical device and herbal products in ASEAN. Meanwhile, the U.S. has the advanced technology and innovation, and could be a large market for Thai products from both industries in the future.