On January 26th, 2018, researchers of a collaborative research between Mahidol University, Thailand and University of Sussex, UK organised a meeting on “The Search for a Better Life: How Partnerships with “Older” Westerners Shape Thai Life Changes, Social Relationships and Development”. This research is supported by the Newton Advanced Fellowship, and the Thailand Research Fund. Professor Aphichat  Chamratrithirong, Director of Mahidol Migration Center, Institute for Population and Social Research gave an opening remark followed by Associate Professor Sureeporn Punpuing presented background of the project and its research questions and objectives. 

Dr.Dusita Phuengsamran, the Principle Investigator,  Assistant Professor Aree Prohmmo and Mr.Niphon Darawuttimaprakorn presented preliminary results according to the project's three work packages, which are Demographic of Thai-Western partnerships in Thailand,  Thai-Western Partnerships as Social Relations  and  Regional development potential from Thai-Western partnerships.

Associate Professor Dusadee Ayuwat and Assistant Professor Sirijit Sunanta were reviewers.   The  project gains very useful comments and suggestions from the reviewers and participants, who are academics, policy makers, practioners and NGOs.  There were about 30 participants attending the meeting.  The meeting was at Narai hotel, Silom, Bangkok, Thailand.