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Chulabhorn Royal Academy Integrates to Drive "Chiang Rai Model": A Blueprint for Caregiver (CG) Curriculums Producing High-Performance Care Workers to Sustainably Elevate Community-Based Eldercare
CHIANG RAI, June 8, 2026 — The executive committee of Chulabhorn Royal Academy, led by Professor Emeritus Rajata Rajatanavin, M.D., Acting Deputy Secretary-General of Chulabhorn Royal Academy, alongside Dr. Thakur Phanich, Professor Ruengpung Sutthent, M.D., Ph.D., Professor Yuwares Sittichanbuncha, M.D. (Acting Deputy Secretaries-General of Chulabhorn Royal Academy), and Mr. Burin Trakarnvanich, Acting Assistant Secretary-General of Chulabhorn Royal Academy, together with their delegation, traveled to Chiang Rai Province. The purpose of the visit was to inspect and receive a progress report on the successful operations of the School of Hospital Management Innovation, Faculty of Health Science Technology, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, in driving the "Chiang Rai Model"—a model community for integrated home-based elderly care.
On this occasion, Mrs. Athitartorn Wanchaithanawong, President of the Chiang Rai Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO), designated Mrs. Songsri Khomkham, Vice President of the Chiang Rai PAO, together with Mr. Pairat Mahawongsanon, Director of the Public Health Division of the Chiang Rai PAO, to participate in the discussions and present the operational outcomes of the local model area's integration of home-based elderly care. The delegation was warmly welcomed by the local student trainees enrolled in the programs of the School of Hospital Management Innovation and various network partners at the Assembly Hall of the Chiang Rai Provincial Administrative Organization.
This official visit focused on monitoring the outcomes of the innovative Caregiver (CG) curriculum developed by the School of Hospital Management Innovation, Faculty of Health Science Technology. This curriculum serves as a vital cornerstone in establishing a framework for community-based public health care under the research framework titled "The Development of Elderly Care Systems by Civil Society," which is funded by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). The executive committee received presentations on operational results from the School of Hospital Management Innovation (Faculty of Health Science Technology, Chulabhorn Royal Academy) in collaboration with the Chiang Rai PAO, which highlighted the elderly care initiatives implemented in the model area.
Furthermore, updates were provided on the operations of the Muan Ngan Phan Lanla Economy Community Enterprise, the Rung Arun Healthcare Lanla Economy Community Enterprise, and the Elite Healthy Plus Elderly Care Home. These presentations clearly demonstrated a comprehensive model of integrated cooperation among local administrative organizations, public health service units, academic sectors, and members of the public to enhance health promotion, long-term care, and the development of an efficient service system that effectively responds to an aging society.
The operations under this project are part of the Grand Challenges Thailand research framework, "The Development of Elderly Care Systems by Civil Society," for the 2024 fiscal year, sponsored by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), with Acting Sub-Lieutenant Udom Suwankhim, Ph.D., serving as the Research Program Director. Grounded in the core concept of "Easing the State’s Burden, Reassuring Families, Bringing Elders Back Home," the project aims to build a sustainable eldercare system within local communities. It features curriculum development and high-performance personnel training, where trainees receive full tuition subsidies from the research project, complemented by financial allowances from the Chiang Rai PAO.
This support enables personnel from Sub-district Health Promoting Hospitals and local communities to undergo training across three standard curriculums offered by the Faculty of Health Science Technology, Chulabhorn Royal Academy: the 420-hour Certificate Program for Caregivers (CG) to cultivate high-performance care workers; the 130-hour Care Manager Program for coordinators of elderly or dependent care; and the 91-hour Community Enterprise Development Program for Eldercare (Care CEO). The training leverages modern learning methodologies, a dedicated mentorship system, and close supervisory monitoring during practical internships within healthcare facilities.
In terms of academic cooperation and systemic implementation, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, and the Chiang Rai PAO. This partnership seeks to co-develop healthcare knowledge and innovations. It also integrates with the Long-Term Care (LTC) public health fund for dependent elderly individuals and the National Health Security Office (NHSO). This integration ensures that certified graduates are deployed as professional caregivers (CGs) providing home-based care for dependent elders, thereby generating local income and systematically integrating workers into eligible welfare benefits. Furthermore, the project has encouraged civil society to organize into "Community Enterprises," paving the way toward becoming Social Enterprises (SE)—a key mechanism for creating sustainable social innovation. Pioneered in Phan District, this initiative led to the establishment of the Elite Healthy Plus Elderly Care Home in Muang Kham Sub-district, Phan District, Chiang Rai. The care home provides a unified, elderly-centric care system, generates community revenue, and empowers locals to apply their acquired knowledge to support and care for the elderly within their own society.
On this occasion, the executives of Chulabhorn Royal Academy visited the Elite Healthy Plus Elderly Care Home in Phan District, Chiang Rai, to inspect the facility and offer encouragement to the staff, the certified caregivers trained by the School of Healthcare Management Innovation, Faculty of Health Science Technology, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, and the local senior residents. The executives highly praised the success of the "Chiang Rai Model," highlighting it as an outstanding exemplar that turns the challenges of an aging society into an opportunity for grassroots economic development and tangibly elevates the quality of life for the elderly.
