A fourth-year student from the Faculty of Architecture was selected as one of four national representatives to participate in a cross-cultural urban design workshop with ASEAN peers.
Miss Ranumas Saewa, a fourth-year student from the Faculty of Architecture at Khon Kaen University, was selected as one of only four student representatives from Thailand to participate in the Live Design Discourse 2026 (LDD2026). The international architectural workshop ran in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, from 13 to 19 July 2026.
The LDD programme is an international collaborative platform established by the Four-Nation Alliance of architectural professional organisations. The alliance includes the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage (ASA) from Thailand, the Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) as the host country, the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA), and the Ikatan Arsitek Indonesia (IAI). The initiative aims to create a space for exchanging knowledge and culture while building design networks among young architects and students in the ASEAN region. The ASA sponsored the travel and accommodation expenses for all Thai representatives. During the programme, Miss Ranumas participated in a cross-cultural design group, conducting site surveys in the historic Kampung Cina and the Terengganu Waterfront. She played a leading role in data synthesis and presentation design before the group presented their urban revitalisation concepts to an expert panel at the Primula Beach Hotel.
Reflecting on her journey, Miss Ranumas stated that representing Thailand and the ASA in the LDD2026 programme was not only her first overseas travel but also a profoundly eye-opening experience in architectural learning. She highlighted the opportunity to collaborate with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds, improve her professional English communication, and explore multidimensional design thinking. She emphasised that the friendships and experiences gained would serve as a vital inspiration for her future design endeavours.
Upon returning to Thailand, Miss Ranumas shared her insights and inspiration with third-year students at the Faculty of Architecture. The knowledge-sharing session aimed to build an understanding of the Live Design Discourse programme and to inspire junior students to recognise the importance of raising their design skills to an international standard. She explained how the workshop operated as a practical space for students from four nations to collaboratively exchange perspectives and address real-world spatial challenges in ASEAN cities.
This transfer of experience from senior to junior students aligns with the Faculty of Architecture’s commitment to cultivating high-potential design professionals. It reflects Khon Kaen University’s broader mission to promote academic excellence, international collaboration, and student development. By bridging international insights with local educational advancement, the institution continues to give the next generation of students the confidence to pursue global opportunities.
Notes for Review:
- Information: Associate Professor Kulsri Tangsakul
- Photographs: Associate Professor Kulsri Tangsakul, Mr. Jakkarin Ngenthong, Miss Ranumas Saewa
- Compiled and written by: Ms. Kannaphat Sirikiat
