SEB Sponsored Symposium Program
MEDICINAL PLANTS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Abstract: This symposium is dedicated to a review on the state of studies of medicinal plants in Southeast Asia, focusing on the accomplishments of research, and the contributions and potential contributions of medicinal plants originated from this region in improving the health and welfare of the people, locally, regionally, and globally, past, present and future, while also identifying the shortcomings, as basis for future planning in research on medicinal plants toward higher productivity and sustainability, for the well-being of mankind.

Symposium Coordinator: Dr. Djaja D. Soejarto (University of Illinois at Chicago, USA); Dr. Charlotte Gyllenhaal (Co-Coordinator, University of Illinois at Chicago); Dr. David Lentz (Adviser; Chicago Botanic Garden, Illinois, USA).

Symposium Chair: Dr. D.D. Soejarto

Welcome and Introduction [Dr. D. D. Soejarto; Dr. David Lentz, President of SEB]
Medicinal plants of Vietnam: Past, present and future [Dr. Tran Cong Kanh, Hanoi College of Pharmacy, Hanoi]
Studies on medicinal plants of Laos [Dr. Bounhong Southavong, Director, Traditional Medicine Research Center, Ministry of Health, Vientiane]
Developing Indonesian vegetables and medicinal plants for economically valuable products [Dr. Leonardus B. Kardono, Director, Research Center for Chemistry, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Serpong, Indonesia]
Refreshment break

Symposium Chair: Dr. Charlotte Gyllenhaal

Medicinal plants for drug development in Thailand [Dr. Nuntavan Bunyapraphatsara, College of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok]
Studying herbal medicine - An Hong Kong experience [Dr. Chun Tao Che, Director, School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong]
Search for bioactive compounds from plants of Vietnam and Laos: A paradigm for an international cooperation [Dr. D. Doel Soejarto, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago and colleagues]
General Discussion
Summary and conclusions [Dr. Charlotte Gyllenhaal and Dr. D.D. Soejarto, University of Illinois at Chicago).
Adjournment

Workshops
Collections for Ethno- and Economic Botany: Museum and Herbarium Collections Development and Management
Chair: Jan Salick (United Kingdom)

Curriculum Development and Ethnobotany Certification
Chair: Brad Bennett (USA)

Chiang Mai
Northern Thailand (map) rests at the foothills of the Himalayan mountain range, a striking and dramatic landscape with craggy limestone mountains and thickly forested rolling hills and valleys. The city of Chiang Mai province has a population of 160,000 people and is considered the cosmopolitan center of northern Thailand. Chiang Mai has managed to cultivate a melting pot of local and international diversity, while at the same time preserving its unique historical and cultural character. Over 300 temples can be found in Chiang Mai and ancient city walls from over 800 years ago still mark the perimeter of the old city. Chiang Mai provides a place of trade and sale for local people, which is most apparent in Chiang Mai's colorful Night Bazaar. Just to the north of Chiang Mai is the Golden Triangle, which marks the convening point for the political boundaries of Myanmar (Burma), Laos and Thailand.

Language and Communication
Many Thai people can communicate with English speakers, especially the younger generation, and this is even more apparent in larger or high tourism towns. University students develop a solid base in the English language, and graduate degree seekers are expected to master fluency. Banks and ATMs, internet access, faxes, post and domestic and international telephone service (landline and mobiles) are available throughout most large towns in Thailand, including the city of Chiang Mai.

Information on Thailand Visas - Australia, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom and Canadian Nationals of the may enter Thailand without a visa in accordance with Ministry of Interior's regulation for a maximum stay of 30 days. List of Countries not Requiring Visas.

Tourist Information - Thailand Tourism Authority

International and Domestic Travel | Currency Converter
Chiang Mai is Thailand's 2nd largest city, situated in the northern part of Thailand and is approx. 800 kms from Bangkok. There are many direct flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai which take 1 hr and 10 mins. The one way cost is about US$55 (2,275 baht). You can also fly from southern Thailand - Phuket, Koh Samui & Krabi (you usually have to take a connecting flight in Bangkok). There are also direct international flights from Singapore (Silk Air), Kunming, China (Thai Airways) and Luang Prabang/Vientiane (Lao Aviation). Once at Chiang Mai Airport you can take an airport taxi into the centre of town; this is only a 5-10 min. journey.

Bangkok International Airport has two international terminals and a domestic terminal that supports more than 80 airlines. Flights can be arranged to fly from your country of departure to Chiang Mai International Airport. Information on Thai Airlines

Please see www.airasia.com for the least expensive flights in Thailand.

Trains from Bangkok take 13-15 hours to reach Chiang Mai; prices range from $11-22 USD one-way.

Check out this website for Train Travel - http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm

For details on trains from Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Bangkok, please look at the website:
http://www.chiangmai-thai.com/train_schedule.htm
http://www.1stopchiangmai.com/getting_here/train/

A time table for the Northern line can be found at http://www.railway.co.th/English/Time_HTML.asp

The official site for information on rail travel in Thailand is:
http://www.railway.co.th/english/index.asp

A map of the rail stops can be found on this site as well. If you are coming from the Don Muang International Airport, the closest train station is Don Muang train station.

Air condition buses to/from Bangkok take 10-11 hours to reach Chiang Rai and cost about $8-11 USD one-way.

Accommodation and Local Transportation
There are numerous budget hostels, guesthouses and hotels in Chiang Mai. The most inexepnsive rooms start at US$2.50 (private bathroom and hot water), while rooms with A/C, cable TV, and hot water can reach up to US$12. Top-end luxury hotels have rooms ranging from US$30- $120. There are local taxis available, which will usually cost less than US$2.50 for a one way trip within Chiang Mai city.

All accommodation is within a 5 minute walk to the conference venue. Prices are per room which accommodate up to 2 people.

Conference Hotel (4-star)
Imperial Mae Ping Hotel
153 Sridonchai Road, Changklan District, Amphur Muang, Chiangmai 50100 Thailand.
International: +66 (0) 5328 3900

Conveniently situated in the heart of downtown and adjacent to the famous shoppers’ paradise “Night Bazaar”.
Just a 10 minutes drive from the Chiangmai International Airport and only 5 minutes drive from the
Chiangmai Railway Station.

Medium Budget Hotel
Suriwongse Hotel | Online Reservations
110 Changklan Road, A.Muang, Chiangmai 50100; local calls: 053-270051;
International: +66 53-270051
Amenities: coffee shop, restaurant, swimming pool and massage center. Includes breakfast. Taxi service can be arranged from airport.
$35-40/night

Budget Guesthouses
Fang Guesthouse
Baan Jong Come Guesthouse
$12/night
Amenities: AC, TV, hot water, no breakfast

Low Budget Guesthouse
Sarabu Guesthouse, $7/night
Amenities: fan only, no breakfast
Participants will need to make their own reservation.

Other recommended accommodation options (from the Lonely Planet, Thailand)
All are located 5-10 minutes walk from conference venue. Please research and book these rooms yourself. Note: Budget accommodation often does not accept advance bookings. While accommodation cannot be assured without prior booking, the conference will be held during the low tourism season which makes it likely that there will be rooms available upon arrival.

Royal Lanna | On-line Reservations
900 B ($23)/night
Amenities: New hotel, Next to night Bazaar, AC, hotwater showers and bathtub, TV, phone and fridge, breakfast buffet, swimming pool

Tapae Place Hotel
800-1350 B ($20-35)/night
Amenities: Close to banks, shops and restaurants on Tae Phae road. AC, hotwater, TV, phone and fridge, No breakfast included.

Budget Accommodation (all have fan only)
1. 100-150 Baht, Ratchada Guesthouse (phone: 053-275556, 55 Soi 3, Thanon Tha Phae):
2. 100-200 Baht, Sarah Guesthouse (phone: 053-208271):
3. 100-200 Baht, Tha Pae Guesthouse (phone: 053-271591):
4. 100-200 Baht, Midtown Guesthouse (053-273191):
5. 120-180 Baht, Flamingo:
6. 150-250 Baht, Living house (phone: 053-275370, email: livinghouse@hotmail.com):
7. 200-280 Baht, Littlehouse Guesthouse (phone: 053-273662, littleh@loxinfo.co.th, 1/1 Soi 2, Thanon Kotchasan):

Field Trips - Friday June 9th (all day)
Currently organized for all day Friday, field trips are concurrent.

o Field Trip A: Home Industry and Craft Production: Tour of silk and cotton weaving, plant fiber craft production, wood carving and fresh plant markets.
o Field Trip B: Royal Projects: Tour of Thai royal family sponsored community development projects on ornamental plants, fruit crops, and ecological sustainability.
o Field Trip C: Botanical Garden and Hike: Tour of Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden followed by a guided hike through Doi Pui-Suthep National Park.

Update on Bird Flu
There is no current reason to believe that travel in Thailand is more dangerous than in other developed regions. Reports of Bird Flu have thus far been concentrated in areas that are quite distant from the conference site and there is no cases have been reported in the conference or field trip areas.
o Bird Flu cases have been limited to individuals handling birds (mostly dead chickens) and there are no cases of human to human transmission.
o Thailand has excellent medical facilities and is probably one of the best places in the world to be located should a pandemic emerge.
o Travel to and within ANY country, including the USA includes risks of being exposed to dangers.
o The organizers do not see any reason to fear that bird flu will pose a problem during the conference and hope that participants will support Thai and other SE Asian colleagues through active participation in the meetings and field trips.