Chula Co-Hosts 6th AUN-AYCF Thailand Chapter with 13 Institutes 

Prof. Dr. Kumkom Pornprasit, Dean of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts; Mr. Kunchit Jitratan, Director of the Chulalongkorn University Office of Art and Culture; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pattara Komkhum, Head of the Music Department, Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University, and Chair of the AUN-AYCF Thailand, along with personnel and students from the Thai Music Department, attended the 6th ASEAN University Network-Youth Cultural Forum (AUN-AYCF) Thailand Chapter during April 20-25, 2026, at the Suvarnabhumi Education Institute, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai Campus, Songkla.  

The AUN-AYCF was organized in collaboration with a network of 13 local institutions, including: 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thakerng Wongsirichot, Vice President for Academics and Foreign Affairs, Prince of Songkla University, presided over the opening ceremony on April 21, 2026. The program featured a Nora dance performance, a Bai Sri Su Kwan (traditional blessing ceremony), workshops, and a “Dikir Hulu” performance, with a lecture by Ajarn Thawatchai Saisri, Deputy Director for Student Affairs at Phatthalung College of Dramatic Arts. 

At 13:00, participants joined group workshops to prepare nine performance pieces for presentation at the project’s closing ceremony, led by faculty members from the AUN-AYCF Thailand. 

At 18:30, university students took part in a panel discussion on the topic “Youth Power in Driving Culture and Culture as a Force for Empowering Youth,” moderated by Ajarn Suttinee Chatrayalak, Director of the Student Development Division at Chiang Mai University. 

On April 22, 2026, participants joined study tours along the cultural routes of Songkhla Old Town. Group 1 visited Masjid Asasul Islam, guided by Dr. Jare Suwannachat from the Faculty of Architecture, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (Songkhla Campus). Group 2 took part in a study visit and a Nora performance workshop at Nora House 168, led by Asst. Prof. Thammanit Nikomrat, National Artist in Performing Arts (Nora), 2021. 

On the morning of April 23, 2026, a traditional wai khru ceremony for Thai dance and music was held to bestow auspiciousness upon participants. The ceremony was conducted by Ajarn Vatit Duriyaunggoon, advisor to the AUN-AYCF Thailand, accompanied by a piphat ensemble performing ceremonial music by students from the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University.  

At 13:00, Prof. Dr. Kumkom Pornprasit, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pattara Komkhum, and Chulalongkorn University Director of Art and Cultural Development and Promotion, Dr. Purit Sophonkanaphon, attended a board meeting of the AUN-AYCF Thailand, representing nine universities.  

From 14:30 to 15:30, an academic panel discussion titled “Gen AI 2026: Captioning the New Culture” was held, moderated by Ajarn Anchalee Thongkhong from Prince of Songkla University. Executives from the AUN-AYCF Thailand who participated in the discussion included Asst. Prof. Dr. Paiboon Sophonsuvaphap, Dean of the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts at Burapha University; Asst. Prof. Dr. Sunida Siwapathomchai, Deputy Director for Corporate Communication and Academic Services at the Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia, Mahidol University, Ajarn Suttinee Chatrayalak from Chiang Mai University, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Pornpawee Phumkoet, Acting Deputy Director of the Suvarnabhumi Education Institute at Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai Campus. 

On April 24, 2026, at 17:30, the opening ceremony and performances commenced with a tribute honoring the royal benevolence and aspiration titled “Knowledge of the Land to the Arts of ASEAN.” The opening remarks were delivered by Asst. Prof. Dr. Niwat Kaewpradap, President of Prince of Songkla University. The welcoming address was given by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanaphan Laiprakobsap, Executive Director of the ASEAN University Network, while the project report was presented by Asst. Prof. Dr. Pornpawee Phumkoet.  

The background of the AUN-AYCF Thailand was introduced by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pattara Komkhum. The performances included the commemorative piece “Phusa Aphorn Wijit: A Tribute in Remembrance of Royal Benevolence,” with lyrics composed by Ajarn Vatit Duriyaunggoon, and musical arrangement by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pattara Komkhum. This was followed by choral performances of “The ASEAN Way” and “AYCF Thailand” by the choir of the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts at Burapha University and the chorus club of Prince of Songkla University. 

Other featured performances included the collaborative dance piece “Mali Ruamjai,” the Ok Kraw Thong flag procession, Nora performances by partner universities, and a Khon performance from the Ramakien episode “The Battle of Phrommat.” The program also featured “The Harmony of ASEAN+3” (ASEAN 10+3 dance performance), bringing together artists from six countries: Non La Dance from Vietnam, Wonderful Indonesia Dance from Indonesia, Adai-Adai from Brunei Darussalam, Dikir Hulu, U Shwe Yoe and Daw Moe from Myanmar, and Soran Bushi Dance from Japan. 

Another highlight was “Lom Rai Riang: Melodies of Textile Rhythms,” a newly composed performance featuring music by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pattara Komkhum and choreography by Ajarn Worawut Lerthutia, Ajarn Kanyakhan Kunkojon, Ajarn Wongsurang Aunrat, and Ajarn Kanokpat Jamfa. The work was created for presentation at the 21st ASEAN and 11th ASEAN+3 Youth Cultural Forum 2026 in China. 

The evening concluded with the multimedia performance “Passing on Love,” presented by the choir of the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts at Burapha University and the chorus club of Prince of Songkla University. The piece was newly arranged by Asst. Prof. Kholid Midam from the Multicultural Studies Office at Walailak University. 

Hosting duties for the 7th AUN-AYCF in 2027 were officially handed over to Rangsit University, represented by Dr. Roengsak Kaewphet, Assistant President for Social Development, Arts and Culture, and Benefits Affairs. 

The AUN-AYCF, organized by AYCF Thailand under the ASEAN University Network Secretariat (AUN-Sec), serves as a platform to promote awareness and appreciation of ASEAN traditions, arts, and culture. 

The forum provides young people, university students, and participants from AUN member universities with opportunities to showcase their talents and exchange knowledge on cultural traditions and artistic expression, covering both traditional heritage and contemporary culture across the ASEAN region.