Dr. Piyapong Supanyo, Associate Dean for Research Innovation and Network Development and Chair of the Tourism and Hotel Management Program at the School of Business and Communication Arts(BCA), University of Phayao, collaborated with the Railway Systems Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, University of Phayao, and the Faculty of Logistics, Burapha University, in leading doctoral students from the Railway Systems Engineering Program on a field study exploring tourism routes connected to the Den Chai–Chiang Khong double-track railway project, the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Corridor, and the China–Laos Railway.
The study involved meetings with tourism entrepreneurs and stakeholders from both China and the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) to examine opportunities for cross-border tourism development. In addition, the research team developed a Forecasting–Clustering analytical tool to support the integration of rail tourism with other transportation modes. The findings are expected to contribute to tourism planning, destination development, and sustainable economic growth along railway-linked tourism corridors in the region.