The collaborative academic service project advances Thai language and cultural education internationally, marking its second consecutive year in the United Kingdom.
The Centre for Thai Language and Culture, in collaboration with the Department of Thai at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University (KKU), and Wat Buddharam in Leeds, United Kingdom, organised an academic service project to teach Thai as a foreign language. The project ran from 3 to 28 August 2026 at Wat Buddharam.
A team of Thai language experts delivered the instruction, including Asst. Prof. Itsarate Dolphen, PhD, Director of the Centre for Thai Language and Culture, and Dr. Kaewta Jantaranusorn from the Department of Thai, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, KKU. They were joined by Ms. Paquan Kanchanakom and Ms. Patcharapha Sonti from the Suma Language and Culture Institute, who shared their expertise and experience in Thai language and culture with the participants.
Now in its second consecutive year, the 2026 project received gracious support from Phra Khru Sirithamprateep (Wattana Yasawaddhano), Abbot of Wat Buddharam, as well as the Thai community in Leeds. Their contributions played a crucial role in supporting the project’s activities and fostering a vibrant learning environment for Thai language and culture in the United Kingdom.
The project aimed to promote Thai language and culture internationally. Participants enhanced their practical Thai language skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—while gaining a deeper understanding of Thai culture. This initiative highlights the active role of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at KKU in advancing Thai linguistic and cultural knowledge onto the global stage.
Furthermore, the programme established academic and cultural networks with overseas organisations and local communities. This initiative aligns with KKU’s strategic vision of internationalisation, reinforcing the University’s reputation as an international centre of excellence for Thai language and cultural studies.
