Meeting, the provincial networks involved with the campaign
Action on Smoking and Health Foundation Thailand (ASH) and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation recently held a forum on the Smoke-Free Community Campaign on October 21-22, 2013 at the Chiang Mai Hill Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand. At the meeting, the provincial networks involved with the campaign discussed their experiences regarding the implementation of the Smoke-Free Communities project. This meeting represented the third time that the networks have come together to discuss the project. Dr. Surasing Vitsarutrat, a Deputy Public Health official in Chiang Mai, opened the meeting. Many important public figures participated in the forum, including Dr. Chai Kritiyapichatkul, Tobacco Control Specialist at Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Ms. Bungon Rithiphakdee, Director of the Southeast Asian Tobacco Control Alliance, and Dr. Mondtha Khengkranpanit, Assistant Professor of Public Health at Mahidol University. These individuals met with the networks from 6 provinces in Thailand that have recently adopted the Smoke-Free Community Campaign. These provinces are Chiang Mai, Chanthaburi, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Lamphun, Surat Thani and Koh Samui. In addition, the mass media from the north of Thailand was also present at the meeting.