Mr. Jiraht Intachan, a fourth-year student from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University (KKU), brought immense honour to Thailand by being selected by the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok as an “Honoured Thai Youth Representative.” Mr. Intachan participated in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellows Program – Spring 2025 cohort, focusing on the ‘Society and Governance’ track. The programme took place at James Madison University in Virginia, USA, from 17 April to 22 May 2025.
Upon his selection, Mr. Intachan travelled to the United States for a five-week training programme, collaborating with a network of emerging leaders from 10 universities across the U.S., as well as fellow Thai youths selected for the same cohort. Throughout the training period, he gained an in-depth understanding of the American political and governance systems, covering areas from structures of public administration, public policymaking processes, and the public health system, to mechanisms for preventing corruption.
In addition to the academic sessions, the programme included educational tours to significant historical and political locations in the U.S., such as Richmond, the capital city of Virginia; Boston, Massachusetts; the Lincoln Memorial; the U.S. Senate; and the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. These visits significantly broadened his perspectives and enhanced his understanding of the country’s social, political, and historical contexts.
Reflecting on his experience in the programme, Mr. Intachan stated: “Being here made me realise that a robust system of governance does not occur naturally; rather, it is the result of careful institutional design and the genuine engagement of all sectors of society. The most profound takeaway from this programme was not just academic knowledge, but the friendships, the network, and the diverse perspectives shared by the young leaders across ASEAN. Although we come from distinct backgrounds and face different challenges, we share the common goal of advancing our region.”
During the programme’s final week, Mr. Intachan and the other attending Thai youths were granted an audience with Her Excellency Ms. Juliepohn Isarangkoon Na Ayutthaya, the Thai Ambassador to the United States, at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. The Ambassador offered words of advice and emphasised that the selected Thai youths serve as cultural ambassadors and representatives of the nation on the international stage. She urged them to utilise the knowledge and experience gained to further develop Thailand and the ASEAN region, while always upholding the honour and dignity of the nation.
Beyond academic learning, the YSEALI programme places significant emphasis on fostering social responsibility through various community service activities, such as sorting clothes for donation to underprivileged community members. This practice underscores the concept that true leadership begins with understanding and caring for societal issues.
The YSEALI Academic Fellows Program is directly supported by the U.S. Department of State. It is recognised as a premier youth leadership development initiative, annually selecting only a few dozen participants aged 18–25 from ASEAN member states for intensive training at leading educational institutions across the U.S. The programme focuses on four core themes: Natural Resources Management, Civic Engagement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Society and Governance.
Mr. Intachan’s participation in this programme serves as a prime example of Khon Kaen University students’ potential to succeed on the global stage and demonstrates their capacity to bring back invaluable knowledge, experience, and professional networks to sustainably advance Thai society and the ASEAN region.
