On June 25, 2025, Associate Professor Dr. Sarintip Tantanee, Acting President of Naresuan University, together with Mr. Tawee Sermpakdeekul, Governor of Phitsanulok Province, presided over the opening ceremony of the exhibition titled “Pak Thong Chai Festival (Co-creation): Home Kan Der – Pak Thong Chai in the Heart of the City”. The event, held at Central Phitsanulok, attracted significant interest from the local community.
Dr. Charatdao Kongmuang Vice President for Student, Alumni and Art-Culture Development, and Principal Investigator of the research project “Ecosystem Development for Festival Economy by Uplifting Local Traditional Event “Pak Thong Chai” towards National Level and International Awareness”, stated that this exhibition builds upon the success of the cultural market event “Home Kan Der” held on March 28, 2025, in front of the Nakhon Thai District Office.
The initiative aims to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Pak Thong Chai tradition, which is celebrated annually on the full moon day of the twelfth lunar month. This event is a collaborative effort between Naresuan University and cultural network partners in Nakhon Thai District, designed to raise awareness and appreciation for the unique artistic and cultural expressions of the Pak Thong Chai tradition. It also serves as a platform for immersive cultural experiences, fostering diversity and identity while contributing to local economic sustainability. The project is supported by research funding from the Program Management Unit for Area-Based Development (PMU-A), under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).
The exhibition features a variety of activities, including:
– A showcase of Pak Thong Chai cultural heritage
– Local arts and crafts
– Traditional Nakhon Thai cuisine
– Folk music and art performances
– DIY workshops such as eco-printing on glass and stencil/silk screen printing using natural dyes
– A display of 30 prototype products co-created by local artisans and designers
– A panel discussion on the “Pak Thong Chai Tradition” featuring community leaders and cultural network representatives
Naresuan University and its cultural partners in Nakhon Thai District hope that this exhibition will serve as a catalyst for advancing local festivals and elevating the Pak Thong Chai tradition to become a nationally significant and internationally recognized cultural event.
