A recent visit to Thailand offered the opportunity to connect with colleagues working at the intersection of mindfulness, lifestyle medicine and wellbeing.
Frist time in Thailand
I’ve just spent a week in Thailand – my first visit there. It was very hot and packed full of events! It was a real pleasure to experience the beauty of the country and its people in person rather than through the Zoom boxes we have all become accustomed to!
My week began with a pre-congress day. I was attending the world’s first Congress on Lifestyle Medicine and Wellbeing, hosted by the Thai Lifestyle Medicine and Wellbeing Association. Chairman Dr Yongyuth offered such warm welcome and ensured my visit was filled with meaningful connections and activities. Special thanks for taking care of me go to Dr Tanita Watprasong, who sits on their board and trained to teach MBCT with us at Oxford Mindfulness.
(Left to right: Drs Denis Pfeiffer, Yongyuth Mayalarp, Sharon Hadley and Tanita Watprasong)
The royal meeting
Day two was a big day. We began early with a protocol briefing before meeting Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. It was an honour for everyone involved that Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was able to preside over the opening ceremony of the Lifestyle Medicine and Wellbeing World Congress and then visit a small number of information boards to hear more about the collaborative work being presented.
(Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn speaking with Sharon Hadley)
“Two hours of royal protocol briefing is quite enough to make anyone a little nervous about getting the curtsy and timing right. I was firmly out of my comfort zone, but nevertheless very privileged to have been selected to share our work with the Princess”
Participation and meetings
After the royal visit, it was straight into meetings. I had the opportunity to meet with the Head of Office for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Thailand and with Dr Michelle Tollefson, Women’s Health and Lifestyle Medicine Obstetrician Gynecologist and Professor at MSU Denver Health Professions. We explored potential future collaborations with Oxford Mindfulness.
After lunch (which was exceptional each day), it was my turn to present at the congress. My talk focused on the impact of AI and social media on mindfulness traits and how the norms and behaviours rewarded in the digital world influence how we are when we are offline.
Following the busy start to the week, I was able to spend time as a full participant in the congress. There was a wonderful range of speakers including a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and Technology, a member of the Royal Society of Thailand, and speakers from universities including Kasetsart, Mahidol, Denver, Chulalongkorn and Riphah.
Field visits and lifestyle medicine
Wednesday and Thursday were filled with meetings, including a visit to TRIA, a medical wellness centre offering holistic integrative beauty and healthcare services. Here I had further meetings with our partner from Thai Lifestyle Medicine and Wellbeing Association and TRIA CEO – Dr Yongyuth. I also had the opportunity to meet some of the clinical team and experience some of the services the wellness centre offers.
Rest, return and reflect
On Friday I had a little time before the long journey home. I spent the afternoon enjoying some mindful art with Tanita Watprasong before heading out to watch the glorious sunset.
It was a rich and informative visit. Huge thanks to everyone involved. I leave with much to reflect on from the conversations and collaborations shared during the week.
