Chula Hosts 20th ASEAN and 10th ASEAN+3 Youth Forum to Foster Cultural Collaboration 

The Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, in collaboration with the Office of Art and Culture Management, Chulalongkorn University, proudly serves as the main host of The 20th ASEAN and 10th ASEAN+3 Youth Cultural Forum 2025 Thailand—an international event under the ASEAN University Network (AUN). Held under the theme “Cultural Roots and Rhythms: Flourishing Together in Unity and Harmony,” the event is co-hosted by Burapha University, Mahidol University, Chiang Mai University, Prince of Songkla University, and other partner universities in Thailand. The forum takes place from June 23 to 27, 2025, at Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, and Burapha University campuses. 

The forum aims to enhance intercultural understanding among ASEAN member states and their dialogue partners through academic discussions, performances, artistic and musical exchanges, and immersive experiences into diverse cultural ways of life. Over 300 participants from 30 universities across 11 countries—Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Singapore, China, Japan, and South Korea—are taking part in this cultural celebration, along with observers from other nations. 

A welcome dinner was held on Sunday, June 22, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Sala Phra Kieo, Chulalongkorn University, with opening remarks delivered by Professor Dr. Kumkom Pornprasit, Dean of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, and Mr. Kunchit Jitratan, Director of the Office of Art and Culture Management, joined by representatives from nine partner universities. 

The opening ceremony took place on June 23, 2025, at the Chulalongkorn University Auditorium, officiated by Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, who struck the traditional sabatchai drum to signal the start of the forum. Associate Professor Dr. Thanaphan Laiprakobsup, Acting Executive Director of the ASEAN University Network, spoke on the forum’s origins and its significance. 

Associate Professor Dr. Pattara Komkam, Chair of the AUN-AYCF Thailand Executive Committee and head of the Department of Music at Chulalongkorn University, along with executive leaders from Mahidol, Burapha, Chiang Mai, and Prince of Songkla Universities, helped prepare the event to warmly welcome youth from 10 countries. 

The Opening Ceremony featured two Thai cultural highlights:

1. The Harmony of ASEAN+3 
2. Drum: The Power of Faith 

These performances, designed and directed by Dr. Pattara Komkam, aimed to express Thai cultural heritage through a creative modern lens. In addition, cultural performances representing 10 other countries were also featured. 

On June 24, 2025, student participants attended hands-on workshops in Thai music and dance and experienced a Cultural Bazaar at various campus venues, including the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Music Hall, Cultural Building, and Sala Phra Kieo at Chulalongkorn University. Participants also explored ways of life and built intercultural networks. 

On June 25, 2025, a workshop on ethnic lifestyles in Thailand was held at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom Province, jointly organized by Mahidol, Chiang Mai, and Prince of Songkla Universities. Activities included experiential learning and storytelling, culminating in the Closing Ceremony and handover of the hosting flag for 2026, conducted by the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts on June 26, 2025, at Burapha University in Chonburi Province. 

Participating Universities (30 Institutions): 

1. Chulalongkorn University 
2. Burapha University 
3. Chiang Mai University 
4. Prince of Songkla University 
5. Mahidol University 
6. Rangsit University 
7. Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University 
8. Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University 
9. Bunditpatanasilpa Institute 
10. University of Yangon 
11. Universitas Airlangga 
12. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 
13. Universiti Malaya 
14. Universiti Sains Malaysia 
15. Universiti Utara Malaysia 
16. Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City 
17. Vietnam National University, Hanoi 
18. Universiti Brunei Darussalam 
19. De La Salle University 
20. Ateneo de Manila University 
21. University of the Philippines 
22. National University of Singapore (NUS) 
23. Yunnan University 
24. Guangxi University 
25. Guizhou University 
26. Xiamen University 
27. Chiba University 
28. Okayama University 
29. Daejeon University 
30. Seoul National University 

Guizhou University of the People’s Republic of China will take up the hosting duties for The 21st ASEAN and 11th ASEAN+3 Youth Cultural Forum in 2026, succeeding Chulalongkorn University and its network of Thai partners. 

The 20th ASEAN and 10th ASEAN+3 Youth Cultural Forum 2025 Thailand stands as a key platform for fostering mutual understanding, cultural appreciation, and regional solidarity among the youth of Southeast Asia and its partner countries. Through the unifying power of art, culture, and creative exchange, the forum lays a strong foundation for lasting and meaningful collaboration in the region. 

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