KKU Carnival 2025: ‘Sithan Nawathara Himalayan’ Showcases Spectacular Parade, Drawing Hundreds of Thousands of Visitors

5 November 2025
11:38

Khon Kaen University (KKU), in collaboration with its networks, organised the KKU Carnival 2025 under the concept “Sithan Nawathara Himalayan” as part of the Sithan International Festival 2025 (Boon Somma Bucha Nak). The event took place at Sithan Road, Khon Kaen University, on 4 November 2568.

The festival was officially opened by Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University. The organisation was honoured by the presence of Mr. Sonam Palden, Second Secretary of the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Bangkok, who attended as a representative of the Embassy.

Joining the ceremony were Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, Ph.D. Vice President for Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy ; Mrs. Natsamol Tanakulrungsarit Vice President for Legal and Communications ; university executives, network partners, international students, and local community members.

Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., the President, stated that Khon Kaen University continuously organises such significant activities, which reflect the intrinsic value generated by cultural capitals, expressed through the beliefs, ideas, and cultural heritage of the Isan people, encapsulated in the core theme: Sithan Nawathara Himalayan.

“In organising this event, I feel the dedication of the operating committees and the collaborative spirit between Khon Kaen University’s network, local communities, and artists. They have united their efforts to create the KKU Carnival 2025 procession for the Sithan Festival, ensuring it is diverse and continues to attract increasing attention,” said the President.

The theme, Sithan Nawathara Himalayan, carries profound meaning. ‘Sithan’ refers to the sacred realm of faith and sanctity of the Phaya Nak (Great Serpent). ‘Nawathara’ signifies a new stream, representing the extension and application of knowledge. ‘Himalayan’ symbolises the mountain of origin, the headwaters that sustain life. This year’s event thus serves to fuse the power of art, culture, and intellect, fostering growth in both the human spirit and society.

Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, Ph.D. Vice President for Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy , explained that the KKU Carnival 2025 is a core activity of the Sithan Festival, “Boon Somma Bucha Nak,” organised to preserve the Loy Krathong tradition of apologising to and worshipping the water element.

The opening ceremony featured the spectacular performance, “Mangkhalanaga Thara Himalayan,” alongside a procession offering tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.

The festival included diverse cultural and artistic activities, such as floating Krathong at Bueng Sithan (Sithan Pond) and grand processions that were both magnificent and beautiful. The activities were designed to develop cultural capital, inspire creative ideas originating from traditional culture, and motivate the presentation of contemporary culture through the Carnival parade, which embodies the central concept of Sithan Nawathara Himalayan, focusing on creative and innovative contemporary processions.

The KKU Carnival 2025 featured numerous processions, including:

The procession offering tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.
The “KKU Dance Troupe Contemporary Isan Dance” procession.
The Phi Bak Huad (Isan ghost character) procession.
The Mor Lam Jai Gern Roi (Isan folk music troupe) procession.
The “MISS KKU ANGEL 2025” pageant (Modindaeng Angels).
The procession of participants in the 1st International Mask and Puppet Festival 2025.
The international mask procession created by Year 1 students from the Faculty of Architecture.
The procession of 20 Phaya Nak puppets.
The procession of Siang Yuen puppets accompanied by a long drum troupe.
The procession from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Khon Kaen Campus.
Processions from Khon Kaen University faculties, including the International College, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts.

All processions were based on the Sithan Nawathara Himalayan theme. The International College was announced as the winner of the KKU Carnival 2025 Grand Prize. (Details of other awards are available at the end of the article.)

Mr. Pharadon Charoenram, a third-year student in Performing Arts from the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, expressed his enthusiasm for participating in the parade. He felt pleased that young people value, recognise, and conserve Thai culture, such as the Loy Krathong tradition. He noted that a large-scale carnival not only boosts economic value but also increases the cultural value disseminated internationally, citing the Contemporary Isan Dance and the international processions featuring participants from Vietnam and Laos performing their national cultures. This demonstrates that the Sithan International Festival serves as a vibrant cultural bridge, allowing cultures to flow seamlessly, just like the Nawathara Himalayan theme expresses this year.

The Sithan Festival, “Boon Somma Bucha Nak,” organised at Sithan Road, Khon Kaen University, runs continuously from 3 to 5 November 2568, offering many creative activities. The university opens its gates to welcome over a hundred thousand visitors (with 5 November 2568 being the final evening).