Category: Cultural Promotion and Preservation

On 29 May 2026, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) hosted a Buddhist merit-making ceremony to mark the upcoming Visakha Bucha Day (31 May 2026). The event also served as the official launch of the university’s campaign promoting the wearing of applied Thai dress and local fabrics every Friday, aligning with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation’s (MHESI) ‘Wear Thai with Pride’ campaign.

The ceremony was presided over by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taweewat Watthanakuljaroen, President of STOU. Key religious activities included:

• Offering alms and dried food to 9 Buddhist monks.
• Listening to Dhamma teachings and receiving blessings.
• A candlelit circumambulation (Wien Tien) around the Ho Phra Phut Ming Mongkhon Dhammasathan, which houses the university’s sacred Buddha image.

In addition to the religious ceremonies, STOU encouraged its staff to wear applied Thai traditional outfits or local fabrics. This initiative directly supports the MHESI policy that invites personnel to wear Thai textiles every Friday to honor and preserve the nation’s unique cultural identity.

To add a contemporary touch and promote Thai Soft Power, the organizing committee introduced “Bua Phab Rap Boon”—exquisitely folded lotus flowers for participants to use during the ceremony. Attendees were invited to take photos with their lotus flowers in front of the shrine while dressed in traditional attire.

This activity taps into the current social media trend where people enjoy dressing in traditional costumes to check in at cultural landmarks. The event successfully blended timeless traditions with modern lifestyles, beautifully reflecting STOU’s ongoing commitment to preserving and promoting Thai arts and culture to the public.

On 4 February 2026, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Karn Boonsiri, Vice-President for Academic Services, Networking and Special Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanoknart Boonwatthanakul, Director of the Office of Continuing Education along with administrators and STOU’s staff joined the 24^th Higher Education Arts and Culture Festival, themed “Following the Path of Arts to Phranakorn: 134 Years of the Foundation of Thai Teacher Training.”

In this occasion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Preang Kitratporn, Acting President of Phranakhon Rajabhat University (PNRU) delivered the report. The ceremony was honored by Ms. Wattanasopee Suksa-ard, Strategic Advisor for Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, who presided over the opening ceremony at Phranakorn Rajabhat University.

STOU collaborated with Poh-Chang Academy of Arts, Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin inorganizing an exhibition titled “Continuing the Royal Aspiration for the Khon Performance: In Honor of His Majesty the King’s 74^th Birthday Anniversary.”

The objectives were to carry forward His Majesty King Rama X’s royal commitment to the preservation of Khon and to provide opportunities for both theoretical and practical workshops under the theme “The Charm of Embroidery: Learning Applied Thai Motifs.”

On 5 November 2025, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University held the Loy Krathong festival 2025, which aims to simply and respectfully carry on the beautiful Thai traditions and customs, in heartfelt tribute and mourning for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit
The Queen Mother. The event was attended by university administrators, staff from various departments, and members of the general public.

Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) organized activities to preserve and promote Buddhism, arts, and culture in celebration of Asanha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent in 2025. These significant Buddhist holidays fall on 10 and 11 July, respectively. The university’s Arts and Culture Division (Educational Park) of the Office of Continuing Education held the events on 9 July 2025 at Parichart Pavilion and Ho Phra Phut Ming Mongkhon Dhammasathan within the university’s Rajamangalaphisek Education Park.

The ceremonies were presided over by Assistant Professor Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Member of the University Council and Acting President of STOU. A large number of executives, faculty members, staff from various university departments, as well as students and the general public, participated in the events.

Key activities included a dry food alms offering to nine Buddhist monks to bring auspiciousness, followed by sacred Buddhist ceremonies. The traditional offering of Lenten candles and rain-bathing robes was also observed, a significant custom during the Buddhist Lent period. A unique and creative aspect of the celebration was the “tree sapling circumambulation” (Wian Tian) around Ho Phra Phut Ming Mongkhon Dhammasathan, where participants offered tree saplings in homage to the Buddha, promoting environmental conservation alongside spiritual merit-making.

In addition to the activities at the main campus, STOU’s Regional Academic Resources and Community Engagement Centers across the country also organized events. In Yala, Dr. Saowanit Taweesuntaneenukul, Director of STOU Yala, led staff, alumni, students, and STOU networks in offering Lenten candles at Wat Tha Sap in Mueang District of Yala. Similarly, in Phetchaburi, Ms. Samanan Ngernurd, Director of STOU Phetchaburi, led her team to offer Lenten candles at Wat Khao Bandai It in Mueang District of Phetchaburi.

These events underscore STOU’s unwavering commitment to continuously promoting and preserving Buddhism, arts, and culture, and fostering community engagement. On this occasion, STOU has also installed “Phra Bhaisajyaguru Vaidurya,” an ancient Khmer art Buddha statue. This statue commemorates Bhaisajyaguru Vaidurya Prabha Tathagata, the Medicine Buddha of Mahayana Buddhism, who is revered for healing both physical and mental ailments and is considered a protector and healer of humanity from suffering.

The veneration of Bhaisajyaguru has a long history in Thailand, particularly during the reign of King Jayavarman VII of the Khmer Empire (which included parts of present-day Thailand). During this period, “Arokayasala” (hospitals) were established, and Bhaisajyaguru Buddha statues were created to be enshrined in these facilities. Bhaisajyaguru Buddha statues found in Thailand often exhibit the Lopburi art style (Khmer art in Thailand). This particular statue was generously donated to STOU by Phra Kru Wimolchayaporn, the abbot of Wat Bang Krang in Nonthaburi, on 25 June. Other recipients of similar statues include the Ministry of Public Health, Priest Hospital, Thammasat University Hospital, Siriraj Hospital, Ramkhamhaeng University, and Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University. These statues serve as objects of veneration for Buddhists, as well as medical, public health, and nursing personnel, providing spiritual support and relief from the suffering caused by physical and mental illnesses.

On 10 April 2025, Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) presided over the Songkran Festival 2025 at STOU. Dr. Niran Jongwutiwes, Acting for Chairman of University Council delivered a blessing speech.  Songkran Festival event was hold at Parichart Pavilion.

The event aimed to preserve the beautiful and valuable national traditions and culture, as well as to reflect gratitude and respect for elders through various activities. This year, the event was organized in the Central Thai culture theme, featuring cultural performances including “Thai Charm” by Southeast Bangkok University, “Mari Kimar: The Legend of Thao Thongkip Ma’s Thong Yip and Thong Yot Desserts” by the College of Teacher Education at Phranakhon Rajabhat University, musical performances by staff members and retirees, and Thai arts and culture workshop through fan weaving practice.

On this occasion, participants joined bathing the Buddha image and the statue of King Rama VII, as well as the water-pouring ceremony to ask for blessings from elders. The event activities also helped promote Thailand’s Soft Power and fostered unity by inviting participants to wear contemporary outfits featuring unique regional characteristics from different parts of Thailand.

On 26-28 March 2025, the Office of Art and Culture, Suratthani Rajabhat University (SRU) organized the 15th International Conference in Art & Culture under the theme of “Srivijaya- Thai Style, local lifestyle, dhamma, bringing local wisdom to creative.” In this occasion, Mr. Sukon Nuphakdee, Vice Governor of Surat Thani Province presided over the conference. Asst. Prof. Dr. Wattana Rattanaprom, President of SRU, delivered welcoming speech. Mr. Teeraphan Chancharoen, Director of the Office of Arts and Culture, delivered the conference report.

The conference featured important activities, including the presentation of articles and research in various fields and exhibitions of local wisdom from cultural network institutions throughout the country. The topics of the research presentations and exhibitions included arts and culture, such as history, geography, tourism management and creative economy, language, literature, performing arts, philosophy of religion, and local wisdom, as well as local development, sociology, educational innovation and technology. The conference was considered part of driving Thailand’s soft power through arts, culture, and creativity, which were the important foundations of the creative economy, creating value for communities and society, as well as providing opportunities for participants to exchange knowledge and development skills.

The Office of Continuing Education, the Seminar and Training Center, and Regional Academic Resources and Community Engagement Center—Nakhon Si Thammarat of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) coorganized on the booth for fruit and vegetable carving demonstation under the name “Treasures of My Home” with Mr. Nikom Israngkura
Na Ayudhya, an artist specializing in fruit and vegetable carving, showcasing his skills.

The booth filled with interested attendees, including students, staff, and the general public, as well as members of
the Sukhothai Thammathirat University Student Club from Surat Thani, who came to admire the works and learn carving techniques from the expert artist. The demonstration booth is not only a display of artwork but also a place for sharing knowledge and preserving Thai arts and culture for the new generation. The activities also reflect the importance of fruit and vegetable carving art, which is a cultural heritage worthy of conservation and preservation for future generations.

On 11 February 2025, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) organized the ceremony of Makha Bucha Day, which would fall on 12 February 2025. Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, STOU Acting President, chaired the ceremony.
The faculty members and staff of STOU joined activities, including an alms offering ceremony where dried food was given to nine monks and a Buddhist sermon listening, aiming to make wishes for the participants themselves and those they love, as well as to brush up their minds.

On the night of 15 November 2024, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University held its 17^th Loy Krathong festival, where we welcomed various companies and organizations, including the Department of Lands, Thailand Post, Jutiporn Kindergarten School, Phasukmaneejak School, Klongklua School, IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd., Office of Arts and Cultural Phranakhon Rajabhat University, Central Women Correctional Institution, Bang Phut Community, National Telecom Pub Co., Ltd. (NT), and Taokaenoi Food & Marketing Pub Co., Ltd., Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of STOU, presided over the opening of the Festival. This year’s festival was organized under the theme of Central Thai local culture, “River’s Vibrant Colors, Preserving Loy Krathong Tradition.” The Loy Krathong festival featured several activities, including:

• Noppamas Queen contest
• Eco-friendly krathong
• Folk music and cultural performances
• Cultural craft demonstrations such as:
  • Garland making
  • Thai Handicraft – miniature Khon Mask
  • Making “Cho Muang” (A Thai snack)
  • Lucky Draw
• Night Market

The event was attended by university administrators, staff from various departments, and members of the general public. As it coincided with the ICDBSE2024 Conference, international guests who joined the festival enjoyed the Thai culture with the community members.

The Nopphamat Queen Contest

Eco-friendly krathong Contest

King Rama VII Period Costume Contest

This Loy Krathong Festival aimed to promote and preserve Thai traditions, develop the university’s role as a community center for academic and recreational activities, and provide an opportunity for the public and university networks to engage in beneficial community and social activities.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of STOU, presided over the two-day Royal Kathina Ceremony held at Wat Phet Wararam Phra Aram Luang on 8-9 November 2024. The ceremony was attended by a large number of participants, including STOU Administrators STOU’s staff and representatives from various government agencies, companies, and the local community.

For this Royal Kathina Ceremony, devout followers made merit contributions to support Buddhism, with total offerings for the royal meritorious deed reaching 1,868,450 baht