KHON KAEN – The Faculty of Economics at Khon Kaen University hosted the “Young Economist Mini Symposium 2025” on November 25, 2025, providing a national stage for students to present their research. The event was held in collaboration with the Bank of Thailand’s Northeastern Region Office.
The symposium’s opening ceremony was presided over by Songtham Pinto, Senior Director of the Bank of Thailand’s Northeastern Region Office. In his address, Mr. Pinto welcomed the students and highlighted the event’s role in preparing them for their professional futures. He stated that the symposium’s curriculum was designed to blend academic learning with insights into technology and digital adaptation, helping students develop essential skills, creativity, and a clear understanding of their roles.
“Economics students are a vital force behind the university’s success,” Mr. Pinto remarked. “No faculty, department, or service center can function without high-quality students.”
The event’s core was a research presentation competition. The first-place prize was awarded to Thotsarasm Thanthanaphalangkorn and Nongnaphat Chongthanachot for their study, “The Relationship between Economic Factors to Condominium Purchases & Investments in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region from 2019 to 2024.” Their research also earned the Popular Vote award.
First-place winner Thotsarasm Thanthanaphalangkorn commented that the symposium was a valuable opportunity to network with peers, exchange ideas, and learn about professional conduct, career planning, and work-life balance. She expressed her intention to apply her economic analysis skills to patient care.
Other winning research projects included:
- First Runner-Up: A study on farmland tenure security and its impact on farmers’ investment decisions in Thailand.
- Second Runner-Up: Research on using metaheuristics for allocating patient medication receipts in pharmacies.
- Honorable Mentions: Studies on the factors influencing solo travel among Thais and the impact of social networks on lifestyle inflation for Gen Z workers in Khon Kaen.
The Faculty of Economics congratulated all participants and expressed hope that the event would inspire future economics students to engage in creative research.
