November 16, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. – Khon Kaen University held the press conference to release news about the 2023 Sithan Festival (Boon Somma Bucha Nak). Among the executives were Miss Taneeya Naipinit, Khon Kaen Vice Governor; Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University; Mr. Tada Promsakha Na Sakon Nakhon, Vice President of Khon Kaen Provincial Administrative Organization; Mr. Teerasak Teekayupan, Khon Kaen City Mayor. Attendants included administrative of both governmental and private sectors, allies, lecturers, the public and news correspondents from all channels. The event took place at the Art Gallery, Sithan Lake, Khon Kaen University.

Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University explained that Khon Kaen University has the mission to enhance art and culture, in accordance with the creative economy strategy stipulated by Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of Khon Kaen University Council. The strategy includes development of modern art and cultures based on the cultural root as the strength that makes better the implementation. This also corresponds to the governmental policy in supporting Thai cultures as a ‘Soft Power’. The 2023 Sithan Festival, Boon Somma Bucha Nak, is scheduled on November 25-27, 2023. The festival is expected to be the cultural learning resource, an added creative venue for students and the public. It will also nurture the Thai art and culture, simulate tourism and economy at the regional, national and international levels.

Miss Taneeya Naipinit, Khon Kaen Vice Governor added that Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has included Sithan Festival in the Tourism Calendar of Khon Kaen Province. The festival is the pride of Khon Kaen people, for the festival, which has been organized for many years, has truly succeeded Thai art and cultures, provoked provincial economy and is the biggest festival of this kind at the national and international levels. Isan art and cultures are fun, outstanding, and graceful. This event is hosted by Khon Kaen people: students, staff, the public, businessmen, traders, hotel entrepreneurs, police officers, guards, who will welcome visitors to the festival, making Khon Kaen as a “pleasant city to live and an ASEAN city in the future”. It is expected that the event will make the economy boom again.

Mr. Teerasak Teekayupan, Khon Kaen City Mayor said that for this festival, the Provincial Cultural Office will emphasized conveying Thai graceful art and cultures as the soft power to the visitors. The cultural ground will be designed differently but including the identity of local arts. Folk plays and performances and local Mo Lam will also be included. Therefore, it is going to be a big event for people in Isan and other regions to see the grandeur of Isan arts and cultures.

Highlights of KKU Sithan Festival 2023:

November 25-27, 2023 – “Sattha, Maha Sanuk, Pluk Withee Watanatham” – Faith, Great Fun, and Awakening of Cultural Life Styles

Saturday November 25, 2023 – Sattha (Faith)

Morning Session:

• Offering of foods to monks
• Invitation of Phra Uppakhut for prosperity and happiness of the people at the beginning of the event, which is the former Isan lifestyle.

Evening Session:

• Procession of Buddha Relics
• Official opening of KKU Sithan Festival 2023
• Folk Song Contest
• Mo Lam Performance by Rattanasilp Inta Thai Rat Band
• Pramothai Show by Prakat Samakkee Group

Sunday November 26, 2023 – Maha Sanuk (Great Fun)

• “KKU Carnival”
• Mo Lam Performance by Silpin Phu Thai Band
• Puppet Show by Phet Nong Rua Group
• “E-SAN Ghost Dance and Tube”, Drum Music and Dance, in Thai “Roeng Rabam Phee Isan” showing Isan culture such as Phee Ta Khon Dance form Loei and Phee Khon Nam. Khon Kaen University has created 2-3 new cultural ghosts called Phee Bak Huad and Phee Kab Kaem Nang Hai. The total number of ghosts in the dance show will be over 600 of them.

Monday November 27, 2023 – Pluk Withee Watanatham (Awakening of Cultural Life Styles)

• Beautiful and gracious procession of Krathong showing the Thai and Isan Identity
• Krathong Contest
• Miss Noppamas 2023 Contest
• Mo Lam Performance by Silpin Phu Thai Band
• Light Boats Show in water
• Light Krathong Show in water
• Mo Lam Performance by Sinsai Band
• Miss KKU Angel Contest

Besides, there are activities at the Cultural Lawn called, “Lan Ploen Dern Wattanatham” at the lawn in front of the Art Gallery:

– Creative walking street (In front of Khum Sithan), Krathong Floating at Sithan Lake

– Puppet Show by Nawat Silp Mo Din Daeng Group, Contemporary Puppet Group at Lan Jamjuree behind Lunag Po Phra Sri, Art and Cultural Center

– Light Krathong Show in water and Light Boat Show in water (West and East Sithan Lake)

– Open-air movie (By Sithan west bank)

– Mid Night Art Exhibition (Art Gallery) – all through the 3 days

News: Communications Division, Jiraporn Pratomchai

For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/SithanKKUFestival/photos_by?locale=th_TH

[Thai]

The post KKU Sithan Festival 2023, a big event this year to celebrate KKU’s 60th anniversary, featuring Isan cultures and soft power to stimulate economy appeared first on KHON KAEN UNIVERSITY.

Tuesday November 7, 2023 – Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University and KKU administrators welcomed “Chair Professor Dr. Chalermchai Kositpipat”, a National Artist, at Sirikunakorn Building, Office of the President, Khon Kaen University.

After the welcoming session, Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul and Chair Professor Dr. Chalermchai Kositpipat went to the Art Gallery, Art and Cultural Center, Khon Kaen University, to officially open the Art Exhibition, “Bun Pawes Than and Kan Hai” (Bun Pawes Alms Giving).

At the exhibition, Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, Ph.D., Vice President for Art, Culture and Creative Economy gave a speech on behalf of Khon Kaen University.

Next, Chair Professor Dr. Chalermchai Kositpipat”, a National Artist and the consultant of Thai Painting Artist Group expressed his feeling towards the first visit to the Art Gallery, Art and Cultural Center of Khon Kaen University, saying that he was very pleased to see the nurturing of culture with the works of numerous artists. The exhibition truly demonstrates the pride of Khon Kaen people and is a venue that will enable access of the youths to good art works.

Ajarn Teerawat Khanama, the representative of the Thai Painting Artist Group gave a report about the exhibition that in 2023, the Thai Painter Group carried out the project called, “Roaming Art for Giving and Cultural Participation”. The project featured activities related to art to promote conscience about giving and public-mindedness and make the community especially the youths to become aware of the values and to be able to preserve the local cultures and traditions. The activities had been carried out and the experiences from these were incorporated in art works, which are exhibited at the exhibition, “Bun Pawes Than and Kan Hai”. The Exhibition consists of 62 pieces of paintings from 42 Thai Painter Group and invited artists.

“The art works exhibited, besides showing the story about Phra Wessandorn Chataka, they also express the interpretation of artists of the words, “Than” and “Giving”. The works, created with free concept and thought, are exhibited from today until November 30. I’d like to thank the Art and Cultural Center of Khon Kaen University for offering the place.”

Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University said that the “Bun Pawes Than and Kan Hai” Exhibition is under the “Roaming Art for Giving and Cultural Participation” Project of the Thai Painter Group, which is a cluster of over 40 famous artists. The exhibition therefore shows the creative and valuable art works of the country. The works have been created to relate about “Bun Pawes” or “Bon Maha Chat”, which is an important annual merit event of Isan. The works are thus the means to attract the youths and the new generation to see and become interested in the valuable Thai arts and cultures.

In addition, the guests to the exhibition will absorb the essence of Dhamma. And “Bun Pawes” and the story of “Phra Wessandorn” can be widely interpreted, not restricted to being only the story of old people like in the past, but now connected to the life of the new generation, too.

“The Art Gallery of Khon Kaen University, as the principle unit to promote education and disseminate thai art and culture, is honored to welcome the Thai Painter Group, and to contribute to the organization of the “Bun Pawes Than and Kan Hai” Exhibition.”

The opening ceremony also featured a Dhamma lecture on “Bun Pawes” by {hra Khru Bunchayakorn, the Abbot of Chaisri Monastery, the chief abbot of Sawatee Sub-district Area 1; Lae Isan performance of Phra Wessandorn; a classical procession Bun Pawes dance – the Isan 12 heet by villagers of Tha Mafai Wan, Chaiyaphum. Finally, the administrators and the guests walked around to appreciate the art work exhibition.

News: Phanit Khatnak

[Thai]

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Congratulations to the students of the Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University, who won the first prize and honorable mention awards from the COTTO Design Contest 2023, which was held at the 1st floor of the Multipurpose Room, BACC Building, Bangkok Art and Cultural Center, Bangkok, on Saturday 28, 2023.

Sutthipong Khamthit with his work, “the Tha Mai-Cheewit Mai” (New Port – New Life) who won the first prize explained about the design concept: At present people are only developing roads, electric vehicles, and connections of civilized areas. But when we look at canals, we see that they are ignored and not adequately developed. Besides, the water is polluted, and the area is over-crowded by people who live in unhygienic places. This was the concept behind the design of the port that can be both a port of boats and a gathering place of the crowded area. The port was designed for accessibility of people that commute and people in the community. The design has been carried out with environmental friendly concept that can be a prototype for other ports and a water treatment point.

The COTTO Design Contest is another activity that COTTO joins with ‘Design Something’ and ask students to join in making queries and finding solutions through the contest of conceptual design.
‘SELFTAINABLE’: From the word SELF + SUSTAINABILITY was the DESIGN CONCEPT. The students entering the contest had to choose one problem from an area that they thought was interesting and important to design a “POP-UP PUBLIC SPACE” that could sustainably solve the problem of the area. There were 259 projects submitted and the committee selected 15 teams for the final round. The result was that the Tha Mai-Cheewit Mai Team was selected as the winner of the first prize. The Faculty of Architecture hopes that the students would bring the knowledge and competency from the classes, the advice from the supervisors, and the direct experiences from the contest to improve their studies and work in their profession in the future.

The students of the Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University who won the first prize and the honorable mention award are as follows:
First Prize: Receiving a cash award of 50,000 baht:
Design Title: Tha Mai-Cheewit Mai (New Port – New Life)
Sutthipong Khamthit, 3rd year student of Architecture Program, Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University
Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Kulasri Tungsakul

Honorable Mention Award: The final 15 teams
Design Title: Time Out
Tamonwan Seeluang, 3rd year student of Architecture Program, Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University
Wutthichai Khotcha, 3rd year student of Architecture Program, Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University
Sutthipong Khamthit, 3rd year student of Architecture Program, Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University
Lapaslada Panyasim, 3rd year student of Architecture Program, Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University
Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Kulasri Tungsakul

Design Title: Kratip Khao
Nithikorn Boonsri, 4th year student of Architecture Program, Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University
Napasawan Rakwong, 4th year student of Architecture Program, Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University
Jakkrit Khurasri, 4th year student of Architecture Program, Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University
Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Kulasri Tungsakul

Information: Assoc. Prof. Kulasri Tungsakul
News: Kannapas Sirikiat
Photos: COTTO and the winners of the contest

[Thai]

The post Architecture students win the first prize from the 2023 COTTO Design Contest appeared first on KHON KAEN UNIVERSITY.

Amid the trend in entertainment industry, Thai movies are considered the soft power, the growth of which is leaping. Besides incorporating Thai cultures, traditions and lifestyles in the contents, the movies also help provoke Thai economy. The International Trade Promotion Department, Ministry of Commerce, just revealed the results of the trading negotiation of Thailand at the Marché du Film, the 76th Cannes Film Festival in France. Ten Thai entrepreneurs have been selected to join the event. There were 271 appointments made with investors, producers and movie buyers from abroad, which would lead to a total value of 1,986 million baht.

It is certain that in the age that everyone can access the media, it is not easy for Thai film industry to be accepted internationally. But that is not beyond the competency of Thai people. There is the young people group that is keen on and loves the film production art. The “Mix Media” club is among the young generation with passions to produce a film that is known worldwide. The club, a group of the communication arts students of the International College, Khon Kaen University, has produced a short film: “TOO FAR TOO CLOSE”. The film is nominated, among 231 short films all over the world, to the competition in the “Fiction” category at the “CCCL Film Festival 2023: The World’s Ill, so We Must Change” by the Alliance Francaise Bangkok.

Miss Sutthirak Singcharee, a 2nd year student of the communication art program, majoring in creative media technology, International College, Khon Kaen University, explained that the short film, TOO FAR TOO CLOSE was produced with the inspiration from the movie: Interstellar (2014). It is about the true situation of the world environment where people live their own lives, and generally are not interested in anything. However, the outside environment is very bad. The film alternately shows the events with overlapping dimensions that make the film interesting.
The selection enabled the students of the “Mix Media” Club to have a chance to learn about movie production from Hollywood directors and senior directors in the movie circle like “It-Patipan Butarik, whose movie, Solid by the Seashore won 2 prizes from the 28th Pusan International Film Festival.

“During the Covid pandemic, we had fewer practical classes, so we thought we should do something to learn more. That was under the concept of “finding a chance for a better chance”. So I made decision with 9 friends in the group to produce a short film. We didn’t think that we would be selected to enter the completion in the Fiction category at the CCCL Film Festival 2023.”

“We have proved that we can reach that level, the same level where very smart people are. It came unexpectedly to be able to learn and share with them. It is memorable experience for us, when P’ It said that the new generation is the power in creating new forms of media, for the progress of the movie circle. It was very encouraging for us.”

Sutthirak went on to say that at present the values of the students studying in the field of film making usually look at the matters of health, welfare, remuneration and respect towards those media makers behind the scene. This is contrastive to the standard in this industry where we have to use a lot of energy. In addition, there is the constraint in terms of investors and the balance of content that are usually the obstacles. With the chance to learn and share with people at the event, she found that all have the same idea to reform this movie circle. In the future, she wants to be a film producer and wind behind the wing to prove that surviving in the circle will be worth it.

Makers of popular Thai films that integrate Isan cultures, traditions and beliefs also admit that they are worried about deficit, which is true of Thai movie industry. However, from the perseverance of the new generation of Isan youths, “The Series” now is making over 500 million baht. It is a Thai film that can make the biggest revenue in 8 years. That confirms and proves that Thai movies can be the soft power leading Thailand to the world stage.
It can be said that the young generation is the hope of Thai film industry. If all sectors, including the Government, support in negotiating about the trading and in laying the policy of the infrastructure or the welfare system that facilitates the industry, with budget allocation from the private sector, then the Thai movie industry would be developed until it reaches the international level.

Article: Jiraporn Pratomchai

[Thai]

The post A short film produced by KKU communications arts students entering the world’s CCCL Film Festival 2023 so, another promotion soft power appeared first on KHON KAEN UNIVERSITY.

Monday October 9, 2023 – Khon Kaen University held the opening ceremony of Mo Lam Festival on the occasion of the University’s 60th Anniversary. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University presided over the ceremony while Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, Ph.D., Vice President for Art, Culture, and Creative Economy gave the reporting speech. The event, held at Si Than Lake, was joined by a lot of folk artists, Mo Lam artists, administrators and the public.

The opening ceremony began at 17:00 p.m. – The President lit the candle and incense sticks to revere the Triple Gem, the Angels and the sacred beings. Next, Mae Khru Mo Lam, Dr. Chaweewan Damnoen, the 1993 National Artist and Po Khru Mo Lam Chalad Songserm, the 2005 National Artist, recited the worshipping words to the Triple Gem and respecting words to the ‘Teachers’. Mr. Pongsaporn Uppani, played the Lai Yai Khaen to pay respect to the ‘Teachers’. These rituals were followed by more rituals: “Presenting sugar cane to pay respect to ‘Teachers’”, “Casting Khaw tok and flowers” and the opening ceremony of the big Mo Lam Festival to celebrate the University’s 60th Anniversary. Dr. Chaweewan Panthu, a national artist, sang a Mo Lam song signaling the official opening.

Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, Ph.D., Vice President for Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Khon Kaen University explained that Mo Lam is one of Isan’s folk performance art and part of creative economy. It is one remaining cultural performance that has not declined with time, even though there has recently been impact from the social and technological changes. Mo Lam has continuously improved itself under the changes.

“To express the pride and the celebrate the 60 the Anniversary of Khon Kaen University, and to conserve and promote local Mo Lam performance art and to deploy creative economy, Khon Kaen University by the Art, Culture, and Creative Economy has collaborated with the Mo Lam Story and Poem Club, Sri Isan Nakhon Film, Co. Ltd., to organize this Mo Lam Festival. The event is honored to have national artists, Isan heritage artists, Po Khru , Mae Khru joining, with 24 Mo Lam bands.”

Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University said that Khon Kaen University has an important mission to campaign for and promote art, culture, industrial and cultural development for deploying creative economy.
“Mo Lam Festival to celebrate Khon Kaen University’s 60th Anniversary is organized under the social development strategy, academic service for social benefits, and values building in creative economy. Mo Lam is accepted as one business that brings income to the people, community and the country. Khon Kaen University has regularly promoted Mo Lam artists in terms of the venue for the artists to present their valuable performance art. It is expected that this event will internationalize Mo Lam, the soft power and Isan cultural capital in the future.”

Miss Nattidaporn Khankham, a Mo Lam singer of Siang Isan Band revealed that she was happy and proud to join the occasion, where 24 bands including teachers and friends also participated. She loves Mo Lam because she has been trained by Mae Noknoi Uraiporn in singing, dancing and reciting poetic songs. Therefore, she loves and sees the value of this occupation, which she holds as the principle occupation that brings income to her family. Miss Nattidaporn believes Mo Lam is one performance art of Isan and only one in the world that is a fantastic culture and Soft Power ready to be adjusted to the current age by various media. The new generation has become interested in Mo Lam more than in the past. Mo Lam bands have dedicated themselves to practice and disseminate the culture to the world. It is believed that Mo Lam will not vanish as long as her generation still sees its value and conserve it.

.”In the past, when we talk about Mo Lam, only the elderly would be interested. Now, young people aged 14-15 years also are interested in this culture. I’m happy that Mo Lam spreads into all parts of the country with all age groups interested in this art. The media nowadays are multiple, but Mo Lam still exists with more younger generation interested in it. This is a good sign and it shows that no matter how far the world steps ahead, the younger generation are still tied to the livelihood and Isan culture. Siang Isan is scheduled to perform on October 11, 2023, the last day. We have prepared a show related to Isan culture, contemporary show and real Isan culture. Please come and cheer us.”

Mo Lam Festival to celebrate KKU 60th Anniversary was held on October 9-11, 2023 by the Cultural Center, Khon Kaen University, at Si Than Lake.
October 9 – Rabiab Watasilpa, Mo Lam Jai Koen Roi, Mo Lam Pet Lam Ploen, Mo Lam Khwan Jai Faen, Mo Lam Watjanasilpa, Duan Pen Amnuayporn, Nu Parn Wisesilpa, Thung Siam Watasilpa.

October 10 – Prathom Banthoensilpa, Ratanasilpa IntaThairat, Silpin Phuthai, Kaen Nakhon Banthoengsilpa, Saw Noi Pet Ban Phaeng, Somjit Bothong, Nuengpet Muang Chai, Nong Mai Muang Chumpae.
October 11 – Siang Isan, Kham Phun Ruammitr, Isan Nakhonsilpa, Bua Rim Bueng, Nueng Rungtiwa Amnuaysilpa, Chan Lao Banthoengsilpa, Neung Nampet Prasansilpa, Neung Song Sam.
For more information, visit:
https://www.theconcert.com/concert/2607?fbclid=IwAR1mz21h7MlH5and12oH8dACvSGGdhKEkCSNxp7WswJwWWvjCSBvyTDP9IU

News: Rawiporn Saisaenthong
Photos: Attapon Hampong

[Thai]

The post Big event – KKU Mo Lam Festival 2024, celebrating KKU’s 60th Anniversary and enhancing culture and economy with soft power appeared first on KHON KAEN UNIVERSITY.