On January 27, 2025, Mrs. Pimwadee Sowarattanapong, Deputy Director-General, Acting Director-General of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, co-chaired the closing ceremony of the "Strengthening Forensic Medicine for The University of Health Sciences" project, with Associate Professor Dr. Bounthom Samuntry, Rector of the University of Health Sciences (UHS), Vientiane Capital, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) while Mr. Chalong Cheewakriangkrai, Committee Assistant Professor MD., Chiang Mai University from the University of Health Sciences (UHS), Mrs. Chachsaran Lertkiattiwong, Director of International Development Cooperation Division, TICA and representative from  Royal Thai Embassy, Vientiane, Laos, also attended.

The "Strengthening Forensic Medicine for The University of Health Sciences" project is a development collaboration between TICA and the Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lao PDR, with the Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University serving as the implementing agency. This project is part of a 3-year Thailand - Lao PDR. development cooperation plan in the public health sector. Its objectives are to enhance the capacity of forensic medicine, focusing on increasing knowledge and skills in various aspects of forensic medicine to prepare for challenges related to criminal cases and suspicious deaths. Additionally, the project aims to strengthen the teaching capacity in the Pathology and Forensic Medicine department of UHS and to develop basic toxicology and forensic evidence laboratories at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Lao PDR.

Mrs. Pimwadee Sowarattanapong emphasized that TICA truly hopes that strengthening knowledge and skills in forensic medicine will be immensely beneficial in protecting the rights of individuals and peaceful life in society, particularly in criminal cases and the investigation of unusual incidents. The completion of the project is expected to strengthen forensic medicine in the Lao PDR further, enhance the capacity of UHS medical personnel to address legal issues and forensic cases, and expand collaboration and network connections between Laos PDR and Thailand, from the local level to universities and governments.