June 7, 2021 – Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University held a forum on the Development Plan for the Suburban Areas in Khon Kaen and Agricultural Buddhism Tourism, at the market near Ratanaram Monastery, Bueng Niam Sub-District, Muang District, Khon Kaen. This is under the academic service project for creative economic development from socio-cultural capital. Among key participants were Asst. Prof. Wanichcha Narongchai, Ph.D. Vice Dean for Strategic Planning and Research; Ajarn Kaewta Jantaranusorn, Ph.D., Head of Academic Service Project; Mr. Supachai Leekhaosung, District Officer of Muang Khon Kaen District; Mrs. Chunpiman Dankhunthod, Muang Khon Kaen Assistant District Officer; Mrs. Pensri Meethonglang, Muang Khon Kaen District Agricultural Officer and Representative of Muang Khon Kaen District Development Office; and Mr. Natthapong Dechpaeng, Bueng Niam Sub-District Mayor. Over 100 interested villagers also attended the forum. The event observed good precautions against Covid-19 by taking temperatures of attendants and all were wearing masks.
The objectives of the forum were to study the needs in terms of academic service of the Song Puay Community towards solving problems in managing socio-cultural capital, designing the creative economic development from the socio-cultural capital, and promoting Agricultural Buddhism Tourism. At the forum, Dr. Kaewta Jantaranusorn, reported the objectives of the event to the Chairperson, Phra Thep Buddhi Munee (San Chutinattharo), Abbot of Srichan Royal Monastery and Khon Kaen Privincial Monk Dean, who conveyed the opening speech.
Ajarn Kaewta Jantaranusorn, Ph.D., Head of Academic Service Project explained that Song Puay Hong Dua Suburban Community is highly potential in community economy from the basis of agricultural Buddhism tourism, or food and health products. The question is on how the villagers can present their potentialities and find their own identities from the existing cultural capital, using multi-disciplines such as history and memories transferred from community sages. The village is the source of knowledge with bio-diversities of flora, herbs, and fish breeds. Conservation tourism can be integrated that will raise incomes to community people, provoke the sense of belonging and conserve Buddhism ways
of living.
In addition, at the forum, Song Puay villagers presented a lot of healthy dishes from the valuable raw materials. Khun Natthaporn Khomjit, a page manager and owner of “Huan Kham Nang” restaurant gave a talk on the properties of the raw materials in the different menus presented. The dishes, apart from the nice tastes, bring healthy benefits.
News: Pawadee Maphan
Information and photos: Research and Academic Service Group
