Khon Kaen University (KKU) is advancing integrated area development through the project “Development of Products and Community Identity Media to Enhance the Tourism Economy and Society of Phu Pha Man District, Khon Kaen Province.” Implemented in Phu Pha Man District from 26–27 January 2026, the initiative aims to increase community income by promoting a circular economy. The approach leverages the University’s knowledge, technology, and innovation, linking academic instruction with creative identity media and the sustainable development of local products.
“Phu Pha Man District in Khon Kaen Province is an area boasting outstanding potential for natural and cultural tourism, especially Ban Soen Nuea community in Non Khom Sub-district. This community belongs to the Thai Phu ethnic group, which possesses deep cultural roots, tracing its lineage back to Luang Prabang since 1877 (B.E. 2380). The community holds diverse local assets, including culture, history, ways of life, local cuisine, herbal medicine, attire, and indigenous craft wisdom. However, the rapid expansion of tourism presents challenges, including a lack of clear identity media, issues related to waste and ecosystem impact, and competition from external businesses, which the community is currently unprepared to manage effectively.”
The project was led by the Office of Enterprise and Societal Sustainability in collaboration with the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Khon Kaen University, under Kham Jaturongkakul, Assistant Professor. More than 60 lecturers and students from the Department of Communication Design worked closely with the community to co-create Community Identity through visual identity and storytelling media. The team also designed identity-based souvenir products using environmentally friendly materials to add value and support sustainable livelihoods.
The activities on 26 January 2026, held at Phu Pha Man National Park, comprised sessions on the geography and geology of limestone mountain formation, the pre-historical history of the area, a workshop on painting with coloured minerals, and field studies of key tourist attractions, such as Tham Phayanakkarat and Tham Laitaeng (Hidden Cave), including local sightseeing and viewing the bats. These activities were designed to foster a comprehensive understanding of the natural and cultural value of the area.
On 27 January 2026, activities were held at Ban Soen Nuea community, Non Khom Sub-district. Mr. Sivakon Mittarat, Chief of Phu Pha Man District, presided over the official opening ceremony and delivered policies on promoting and enhancing sustainable tourism in Phu Pha Man District. The programme included sessions on sharing stories of local settlement and community identity, interviews with villagers, and practical training workshops on weaving and local product development. These were divided into four groups dedicated to transferring local wisdom and furthering its development into contemporary product designs. Participants also received insights into the direction of product and tourism development from relevant agencies, concluding with an exploration of community routes and ways of life.
This project exemplifies KKU’s role in translating academic knowledge into practice. By integrating academia, government, and communities, the initiative strengthens value-based tourism, bolsters the grassroots economy, and advances balanced, sustainable development.
