February 28 – March 7, 2024, Prof. Dr. Fumito Koike and a group of students from Yokohama National University recently joined the exchange study visit in Thailand as part of the Sakura Science Program, where PSU students visited Japan on 25 September – 4 October 2023.

Leading by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sahut Chantanaorrapint and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kitichate Sridith, Biology Program, Division of Biological Sciences, Prince of University, the 9-day biology field trip is filled with various academic adventures, hiking, and cultural excursions in both the southern and eastern regions of Thailand.

The program started with the visits to Thung Khai Botanic Garden, Khao Ngon Nak Mountain, and Phi Phi National Park in Krabi Province to uncover freshwater and mangrove ecosystems, lowland forest ecosystems, and coastal forest ecosystems.

The team further traveled to the eastern part of Thailand to Khao Yai National Park, known as a World Heritage Site and ASEAN Heritage Park for its diverse biodiversity and unique wilderness in flora and fauna. Ending the excursion at Thap Lan National Park, Thailand’s second-largest national park. It is also one of the five national parks in Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex, the World Heritage Site administered by UNESCO in 2005.

With Koh Kret being the last stop for this expedition, Nonthaburi’s historical islet in Chao Phraya River located on outskirt of Bangkok is the best place to study the relict vegetation of riverine ecosystems and floodplain around the capital city.