PRODUCTION OF THAI TRADITIONAL MEDICINE GRADUATES: BACKGROUND SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE, CHIANG RAI RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This qualitative research article aimed to track the background of the graduate production in the bachelor degree of Thai Traditional Medicine program, School of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (STAM), Chiang Rai Rajabhat University. This was undertaken by documentary analysis and in-depth interview with the founding dean of STAM. The results showed that the commencement of the graduate production of STAM arose from the mission of the founding dean on the project of consolidating and revising of Lanna traditional medicine theories and practices in the upper northern Thailand. The outcomes were needed to extend into the development of a bachelor degree program establishment. However, with professional legal limitations that still do not support the functions of traditional medicine (TM) doctors, the traditional medicine Program could not be established. Fortunately, the Thai traditional medicine (TTM) committee also required an institute for yielding of Thai traditional medicine practitioners according to the Healing Arts Practices Act, BE 2542. This coincident point enhanced the establishment of TTM institute leading to a mutual agreement. Besides, some external situations like government promotion, people’s needs and legal support also supplemented the establishment of Thai traditional medicine institute, which mainly provided the development of body of TTM knowledge and teaching professors via R and D process.