Thailand is a country rich in both floral diversity and ethnic groups. Ethnic communities in Thailand usually inhabit border areas and have heavily relied on local plants for various purposes, with some plant species found exclusively in these areas. As a result, the use of certain plants is unique to specific communities, and many plant species remain undiscovered. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project aims to foster international cooperation, which could promote economic development by leveraging traditional knowledge of plant use among ethnic groups and advancing rural communities in border areas. However, this development may also lead to lifestyle changes and contribute to the erosion of traditional plant use knowledge among these groups.