From 14–21 February 2026, a delegation from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, led by Dr. Kantaphong Chitkla, Vice Dean for Education and Digital; Dr. Nathatai Manadee, Vice Dean for Planning and Proactive Strategy; and Assistant Professor Marasri Sorthip, Vice Dean for Student Development and Communications, along with staff and students, participated in the 10th ‘6 Institutions’ Humanities and Social Sciences Network Relations Project for the 2025 academic year. The camp was held at Ban Thung Krat School in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. Executives from the partner universities attended the opening ceremony, which was hosted this year by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Burapha University.
This annual camp is a key component of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences from six universities: Khon Kaen University, Prince of Songkla University (Pattani Campus), Kasetsart University, Chiang Mai University, Mahasarakham University, and Burapha University. Organised as a volunteer development and community service camp, its objectives are to build an integrated collaborative network for promoting and developing student potential through extracurricular activities. It focuses on applying knowledge for social benefit, enhancing understanding of local identity through community-based learning, and broadening perspectives on the cultural diversity of different regions. This year, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences from Thaksin University also joined as an observer.
The camp featured a variety of activities, including academic and recreational sessions with local schoolchildren, such as English vocabulary lessons and creative learning games. In the community service component, participants painted the playground, repainted school walls, and cleaned the premises. The welfare team, led by faculty, staff, and students from Prince of Songkla University (Pattani Campus), took charge of preparing meals for all attendees. For the community learning segment, student groups rotated through a workshop on making natural tie-dye fabric from coconut husks at Suan Fah Sai Aiko, a community enterprise in Takhiantia, Chonburi. This activity highlighted not only a traditional craft reflecting the agricultural lifestyle of Bang Lamung but also an indigenous wisdom that generates income for the community. Another highlight was a workshop on making “Khanom Kalojee,” a traditional Chinese-style sweet commonly found in Thai-Chinese communities. Its presence in Bang Lamung, an area with a long history of Chinese settlement since the maritime trade era, reflects the enduring cultural heritage preserved through generations.
Furthermore, each evening featured recreational activities organised by the different universities, providing opportunities for camp members to socialise, build friendships with peers from other institutions, and develop leadership and self-expression skills through friendly sports competitions. The programme also included a field trip to Burapha University’s Institute of Marine Science, Bang Saen Beach, Ang Sila Market, and Toshin Market. These visits allowed students to experience the coastal community lifestyle of Chonburi Province, where economic activities, culture, and environmental life are closely connected to the sea. The excursions served as experiential learning opportunities that deepened students’ understanding of local communities and natural resources along Thailand’s eastern coast.
Mr. Pitchatorn Puengprom (King), a third-year Thai language major and President of the Student Union of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, remarked, “The ‘6 Institutions Camp’ is a valuable learning space where students from all six universities can learn about cultural differences, adaptation, self-expression, and leadership. More importantly, the camp feels like a family, creating some of the best memories of my student life. Not only did we learn many things, but we also gained friendships and fond memories with students from other universities. The entire eight days and seven nights were filled with diverse events that brought me and my friends great joy. There wasn’t a single moment I didn’t feel happy.”
Mr. Nonthakan Panphum (Phobphum), a first-year social development major, shared his experience as a participant: “This camp was a precious and truly heart-warming memory throughout the eight days. I was impressed from the very beginning with the warm welcome from our host, Burapha University, especially the surprise of hearing the Isan dialect so far from home, which made it feel closer. This experience was truly profitable for my life—from trying new things in the workshops to exchanging cultural identities and enjoying the creative charm of the recreational activities, where every institution showcased their best ideas. Although it was a short time, we built deep cross-regional friendships that made it hard to say goodbye. Thank you to the camp for turning strangers into siblings bonded by tears and smiles. I’m looking forward to joining with my whole heart again next year.”
Ms. Jirattikan Tanmoon (Kratai), a third-year Thai language major attending for the second time, said, “This camp has been one of the most eye-opening experiences of my student life. We meet friends, seniors, and juniors from various universities and regions, each with their own unique identity. The best part is that everyone who joins is willing to share everything with us—their experiences, language, and culture. It gives us a chance to learn and understand things we might see as different. In return, we must also be ready to open our hearts and embrace what everyone is willing to give. Eight days and seven nights might seem long, but once you experience the ‘6 Institutions Camp,’ you might wish it lasted even longer.”
Another significant highlight of the camp was the cultural exchange, which featured performances reflecting the distinct identities of each region. This allowed students to experience cultural diversity up close, fostering mutual understanding and bridging cultural gaps through direct experience. Concurrently, executives and staff from the six institutions held a meeting to plan future student development activities, reflecting the strength and continuity of a partnership that has proudly reached its tenth year. The honour of hosting the next camp was passed to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mahasarakham University.
News: Kittichai Kongkaew and Pitchatorn Puengprom
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