November 8, 2022 – Khon Kaen University ended the “Si Than KKU Festival 2022”, with the great krathong floating activity, which began at 17:00 p.m. The traditional krathong procession moved from Kalapaphruek Road and reached Si Than Gate at 18:45 p.m. The University Council members, administrators and distinguished guests joined the worshipping rituals towards the Holy Relic and the 15 families of the Great Naga. The Loi Krathong Festival was officially opened at 19:00 p.m., with Mr. Charnchai Sornsriwichai, Khon Kaen Vice Governor delivering the welcoming speech to the guests; Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University delivering the reporting speech; and Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of KLU University Council giving the opening address. Members of the University Council, members of KKU Promotion Committee, administrators and heads of KKU divisions and faculties and heads of organizations outside KKU, as well as a great number of news correspondents attended the ceremony, which took place at the stage by Si Than Lake.
Mr. Charnchai Sornsriwichai, Khon Kaen Vice Governor said in his welcoming speech that Khon Kaen Province has succeeded graceful culture and traditions for a long time. The “Heet Sip Song, Khong Sip See” is held as the key belief and practices of the province. In November every year, which is the 15th waxing moon day of the 12th lunar month, the tradition everyone known as “Loi Krathong” is organized. This year, the tradition was arranged magnificently under the image of “Si Than KKU Festival: Boon Somma Bucha Naga”.
“I truly appreciate Khon Kaen University for organizing this traditional event, the Sithan KKU Festival 2002, in order to succeed and conserve good and gracious Thai tradition,” said the Vice Governor of Khon Kaen.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University explained that Khon Kaen University’s major mission is to nurture art and culture, promote, support, preserve, restore, research, transfer, and extend creative innovations for sustainable economy. At the same time, all sectors are invited to share a place for demonstration their capacities in different forms.
“Si Than KKU Festival or Boon Somma Bucha Naga od 2022” has been developed from the Loi Krathong tradition on the 15th waxing moon day of the 12th lunar month. This year, the festival is organized under the concept: “Faith, Great Fun, and Provocation of Culture”. The event is aimed to succeed and conserve the culture and tradition of the former values, and at the same time integrating fun in various forms in the event to create great entertainment. The Isan indigenous tradition and culture are reiterated to attract all walks of life. This year, the festival is held on November 6-8, at the area around Si Than Lake, Khon Kaen University,” said KKU President.
Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of KLU University Council said in his opening address that he has been involved in Si Than Festival for many years. The festival was initiated 7 or 8 years ago, with the intention to offer chances for the society to join the event, which has continuously been organized since 2015, to stop in 2019 because of the Covid pandemic. This year, the festival is resumed, with several folds of grandeur.
“Khon Kaen University is capable to organize such a grand event. Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, Ph.D., Vice President for Art, Culture and Creative Economy has superbly interpreted the issue behind the event by modernizing the ancient traditions while preserving them to exist through the time towards the future. At the same time, it is also necessary to create new things that match the era. Dr. Niyom uses the terms “Not to be obsessed with the past, nor the new things”. Therefore, today, what Khon Kaen University is carrying out is transforming the old tradition so that it brings economic and cultural values. Even though this is difficult to do and challenging, Khon Kaen University is able to do it. We can see this from the great number of people who come and join the event today,” said KKU Council Chairman.
Sithan KKU Festival 2022 is carried out in accordance with the mission to promote art and culture under the University’s creative economy strategy. It is organized this year under the concept “Faith, Great Fun and Provocation of Culture”. The festival emphasizes development of modern art and culture with the cultural foundation as the strength towards the future extension. The festival is also a learning resource and a creative venue for students and the people. Expectation is towards propulsion of Thai art and culture and stimulation of tourism and economy at the regional, national, and international levels.
November 8, 2020, the third day of Si Than KKU Festival featured the following contests:
The Procession Contest of 2022:
- First Prize – Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, receiving cash award of 50,000 baht and a trophy
- First Runner-up – Faculty of Architecture, receiving cash award of 30,000 baht and a trophy
- Second Runner-up – Faculty of Nursing, receiving cash award of 20,000 baht and a trophy
- Honorable mention awards – Faculty of Education, Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, receiving cash awards of 10,000 baht and trophies.
Krathong Contest:
- Small and Creative Krathong Contest
- First Prize – Mr. Chadanin Thongsaeng, receiving cash award of 5,000 baht and a trophy
- First Runner-up – Mr. Tanakorn Hiratkhow, receiving cash award of 3,000 baht and a trophy
- Second Runner-up – Chalermchai Sopapan, receiving cash award of 2,000 baht and a trophy
- Honorable mention awards – Boonchoo Inchu and Mr. Panupong Janthong, receiving cash awards of 1,000 baht each and a trophy.
Beautiful Krathong Contest:
- First Prize – Faculty of Dentistry, receiving cash award of 5,000 baht and a trophy
- First Runner-up – Mr. Ekkapong Janthongsuk, receiving cash award of 3,000 baht and a trophy
- Second Runner-up – Natthawut Kanpudcha, receiving cash award of 2,000 baht and a trophy
- Honorable mention awards – Suthangkul Jati and Mr. Suppatananat Posrikhot, receiving cash awards of 1,000 baht each and a trophy.
Big Krathong Contest:
- First Prize – Faculty of Nursing, receiving cash award of 15,000 baht and a trophy
- First Runner-up – Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy, receiving cash award of 10,000 baht and a trophy
- Second Runner-up – Faculty of Medicine, receiving cash award of 7,000 baht and a trophy
- Honorable mention awards – Faculty of Architecture and Faculty of education, receiving cash award of 3,000 baht and a trophy each.
Big and Beautiful Krathong Contest:
- First Prize – College of Local Administration, receiving cash award of 15,000 baht and a trophy
- First Runner-up – Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, receiving cash award of 10,000 baht and a trophy
- Second Runner-up – Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, receiving cash award of 7,000 baht and a trophy
- Honorable mention awards – The Student Union of the Faculty of Public Health and Faculty of Economics, receiving cash award of 3,000 baht and a trophy each.
News: Rawiporn Saisaenthong
Photos: Boriphat Thasi and Natthawut Jaruwong
