Khon Kaen University (KKU), through the Division of Enterprise and Societal Sustainability in collaboration with the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, officially handed over creative outputs from the project titled “Development of Community Products and Identity Media to Elevate the Tourism Economy and Society of Phu Pha Man District, Khon Kaen Province.” The handover ceremony formed part of the “Sustainability For All 2026: Co-thinking, Co-creating, Co-developing Sustainably” event. The initiative aims to convey the distinct local charm of Phu Pha Man through contemporary design that draws on local cultural capital and traditional wisdom to generate economic value and support sustainable community tourism.
Phu Pha Man District is recognised for its striking natural landscape, including dramatic limestone mountains, dense forest ecosystems, and Phu Pha Man National Park, one of the region’s major attractions. Combined with local ways of life, wisdom, and heritage, these features form a unique local identity that serves as valuable capital for creative economic development and tourism. Recognising this potential, KKU integrated academic expertise in art, design, and communication with community participation to articulate the true identity of Phu Pha Man. The contemporary identity media and product designs were developed not merely for aesthetic appeal, but as narrative tools to communicate local heritage and elevate the value of community assets.
Professor Thidarut Boonmars, PhD, Vice President for Enterprise and Societal Sustainability at Khon Kaen University, highlighted that this project shows how university knowledge and creative innovation can be applied directly within community contexts, with an emphasis on practical, field-based outcomes.
“We are not merely designing products; we are assisting the community in designing its intrinsic value,” stated Professor Boonmars. “This ensures that local identity and stories can be effectively transformed into sustainable economic and tourism opportunities.”
During the official handover ceremony, Professor Boonmars, alongside Assistant Professor Kham Chaturongakul, representative of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, presented the project outcomes to local leaders. The representatives included Mr Siwakorn Mitrach, Chief of Phu Pha Man District; Mr Chinnakrit Ratsadornnuea, Deputy Mayor of Phu Pha Man Subdistrict Municipality; and Ms Suwaree Temwong, Village Head of Ban Saen Nuea. These local representatives accepted the materials to put them into practical use and continue their development within the community.
On this occasion, Assistant Professor Chaturongakul detailed the design concepts behind the project, emphasising that the creative process translated the narrative and daily life of Phu Pha Man into contemporary media. He noted that strategic design connects local identity with visitors, creating economic opportunities while preserving community identity. A central deliverable was a comprehensive publication compiling design projects by faculty members and students from the Department of Visual Communication Design, Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts. The publication provides actionable design frameworks that the community can directly apply to public relations, product refinement, and ongoing tourism promotion.
Furthermore, the initiative integrated student learning with real-world community development. It gave students and faculty members the opportunity to learn directly from local contexts, while equipping the community with practical knowledge. This collaborative framework reflects KKU’s institutional mission as a university of creativity and societal development, connecting academic expertise with local potential to generate tangible social impact. The handover signifies a long-term commitment to empowering the Phu Pha Man community to utilise its cultural assets independently, fostering sustainable growth while preserving the community’s heritage.
This project aligns directly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 4 (Quality Education), through experiential learning integrated into field-based community development; SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), through the use of cultural assets for economic and tourism opportunities; SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), through the preservation and promotion of community heritage; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), through strong collaboration between academia, local government authorities, and community members.
