Opportunities and Challenges for Chiang Rai as the Herbal City and linkage with China Market

Abstract

All over the consumers in the world are paying more attention to health, including healthy eating, exercise, or choosing natural products. Meanwhile, Thai government has the policy to promote the development of "herbal" to motivate the economy and create stability on population health. The implementation of the Herbal City project is a promotion of the development of the herbal industry, with a common goal to develop the management potential of herbs, for achieving good health society and creating economic value. Moreover, focus on the development of a full range of herbal industry, including planting herbs, processing, and making products that can create economic value and create a sustainable community. Chiang Rai Province is one of the pilot provinces, and if considered with the strategic of Chiang Rai Province that focused on increasing competitiveness in trade, investment, logistics services, agriculture, tourism, and culture connecting with Mekong Sub-region which includes Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China as well. Chiang Rai Province can take advantage of the herbal city development project, so herbal industry entrepreneurs in Chiang Rai Province must understand the guidelines, channels, opportunities, and challenges in linking the herbal market to China.