On 11 March 2026, the opening ceremony for the Sustainable Community Development Project: “Lifestyle Medicine—Traditional Chinese Health Practices in Thai Communities” was held at Jirattikorn Community, Thailand. The project was jointly organised by the Department of Pharmaceutical and Nursing Sciences, International College, and the Center for Social and Academic Services at Krirk University, Thailand, in collaboration with Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China.
The project aims to promote community health through traditional Chinese therapeutic exercise practices, while deepening Thailand–China exchange in traditional medicine and health culture.
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Manas Songsang, the head of Jirattikorn Community, warmly welcomed the faculty and students of Krirk University as well as the expert team from Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He expressed his sincere appreciation to Krirk University for organising this meaningful community health initiative, noting that such activities not only raise residents’ awareness of health, but also provide valuable opportunities to learn scientifically informed and healthy lifestyle practices. He added that the project makes a positive contribution to building a healthier community.
Dr. Suparata Kiartivich, Director of the Center for Social and Academic Services at Krirk University, then introduced the project’s background and guiding principles. She noted that the global challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continues to have far-reaching social and economic impacts. As an evidence-based approach to health promotion and disease prevention, lifestyle medicine emphasises healthy eating, regular physical activity, psychological well-being, and positive lifestyle habits to improve and maintain overall health.
Among the many health interventions available, regular exercise is widely recognised as an important strategy for addressing chronic diseases. Traditional Chinese health practices, such as Tai Chi and Baduanjin, offer mind–body exercise suitable for people of all ages. In addition to strengthening physical fitness and functional capacity, these practices can support mental well-being and emotional balance, making them well suited to the principles of lifestyle medicine. Through regular practice, participants can cultivate greater physical and mental balance in their daily lives.
The programme invited two experts from Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine to serve as instructors. Dr. Su Yanqing is an Associate Professor and Master’s Supervisor at the University, and holds a Level 6 Tai Chi qualification. Her work focuses on the integration of physical activity and healthcare, exercise and health, and sport psychology, with extensive teaching and research experience in traditional physical education and mental health. The second instructor, Mr. Wang Le, is a lecturer at Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He has long been engaged in teaching and research in physical education, with a particular focus on physical exercise and adolescent health promotion.
At the event, the two instructors first gave the community residents a complete demonstration of the 24-form Tai Chi routine. Their fluid yet balanced movements were met with warm applause. They then patiently guided participants through Tai Chi fundamentals and Baduanjin movements. Residents took part with great enthusiasm, creating a relaxed and lively atmosphere as they experienced the distinctive appeal of traditional Chinese health culture through each movement.
After the training session, community residents warmly invited Krirk University faculty members, students, and the visiting Chinese instructors to enjoy a traditional local breakfast. The group shared a pleasant exchange, while Chinese students gained a deeper appreciation of the warmth and hospitality of Thai community life. These interactions strengthened understanding of Thai society and fostered meaningful cultural exchange.
The project began on 11 March 2026 and will be conducted on an ongoing basis at Jirattikorn Community every Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Through regular instruction in Tai Chi and Baduanjin, the initiative aims to help community residents develop healthy, evidence-informed lifestyles while further advancing Thailand–China cooperation in traditional medicine, public health, and cultural exchange.
