Khon Kaen University organized an event honoring Isan heritage artists and those with outstanding cultural relations in 2025 on the occasion of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's birthday and Thai Heritage Conservation Day. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanchai Panthongviriyakul, President, presided over the ceremony, presenting awards to 25 artists and 1 organization who created outstanding works in various fields to promote the sustainable continuation of arts and culture.
On April 2, 2025, the Khon Kaen University Arts and Culture Center organized the award ceremony honoring Isan heritage artists and those with outstanding cultural relations at the Auditorium, Khon Kaen University Science Park. The ceremony began at 1:30 p.m. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanchai Panthongviriyakul, President, delivered a speech of blessing to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, followed by a sermon by Dr. Chawiwan Phanthu, a national artist in 1993, and a khaen performance by Mr. Phongsaporn Upani (On Khaen Khiao).
The Isan Heritage Artists and Outstanding Cultural Relations Award Project is a mission of Khon Kaen University to continue and disseminate knowledge of arts and culture to community networks both inside and outside the university, including the Mekong Sub-region, as well as to create academic cooperation and create products with economic value. It has been in operation since 2005 to honor and support these individuals and organizations to create works continuously and sustainably.
At the award ceremony Professor Dr. Supachai Singhabhut, representative of the Isan Heritage Artists of the Year 2025, expressed his feelings that “Whether they are Isan people, Thai people, Khon Kaen people, or Phu Thai people, but the art and culture of people in society will be an indicator of our identity that shows who we are. Importantly, artists do not work to compete with anyone, but do it in the dimension of the way of life and lifestyle of people in society. Therefore, art and culture have the duty to tell us who we are.”
He also emphasized that “Artists are not people who fall from the sky or emerge from the earth, but are people who are shaped by society and culture. We are products of the Isan society and culture. Therefore, the artwork that appears to the eyes of local people, people in the nation, and people in the world is the artwork and cultural work of the Isan society together. For today’s event, I would like to thank Khon Kaen University for presenting this valuable award, which is more than just encouragement, but also a confirmation that what the artists create is valuable and is a way to pass on the local art of the nation to the next generation of youth. Because having cultural roots is a charm and stability that nothing can erase. This award will be one thing that supports the continuation from generation to generation and makes the artists who receive the award not stop.”
For those who received the Isan Heritage Artists Honor Shield in 2025, they are as follows:
Amorn Silpin, Isan Heritage There was one person who was honored: Mr. Lert Srichok (composer of country songs)
Department of Visual ArtsThere were two honorees: Assistant Professor Surassit Saowakhong (Contemporary Thai Painting) and Assistant Professor Kanes Silsat (Contemporary Painting).
Department of LiteratureThere were two honorees: Professor Supachai Singhabus (Contemporary Literature) and Mr. Chukiat Chaithaisong (Contemporary Literature).
Performing Arts Department There were 10 people honored:
* Mr. Charat Ladnok (Morlam Charat, Ranad, Phutthaisong style chant)
* Ms. Thumma Pakirane (Morlam Pathumthip Srithong, who sings a story in a Kalasin style)
* Mr. Suwit Sanngern (Ai Xiang Choi, Thai Loei Morlam, Thai Loei Turtle Liver)
* Mr. Phakdee Pholam (a story about a Khon Kaen-style poem)
* Mr. Suphat Buanuphap (Morlam Suphat Siangthong, Khon Kaen-style lam khlon)
* Mr. Yingyong Buangam (Yingyong Yotbuangam, singing country songs)
* Ms. Amnuay Chanthosi (Duangphen Amnuayphon, Lukthung Morlam singer)
* Mr. Pramin Phutthakot (Taxi Officer, Isan country comedian)
* Ms. Punnapa Kaewtrailerd (Rasarin Chanthra, actress)
* Mr. Chaibordin Saleephan (Fon Phu Thai Renu)
The recipients of the 2025 Cultural Relations Outstanding Achievement Award are as follows:
Industry and handicraft branch Including Ms. Sengiamjit Chanboon (Khit woven fabric)
Traditional Thai medicine or pharmacy, Thai massage or spa Including Mr. Phromma Chanthasen (Traditional Thai Medicine Doctor)
Department of Ecology, Culture and Environment Including Mr. Jirasak Tridech
Community entrepreneurship branch, community group or community enterprise Including Mr. Swat Uphahat (Northeastern Food Wisdom Business)
Department of Fine Arts There are 6 people:
* Mr. Sangkom Thongmee (Visual Arts)
* Ms. Thongpon Tansa (Morlam singer Thongpon Chanthakhampa, sung in the Phutthaisong style)
* Ms. Nantana Karakesom (Morlam singer Nantana Kaewsadet, applied lam khlon)
* Mr. Somnuk Chuennirun (Grandma Hueng Jai Keun Roi, Morlam comedian)
* Mr. Phiraphat Sawatmun (P Sadet, Lukthung singer)
* Mr. Phongsaphon Upani (On Khaen Khiao, Isan folk music Khaen)
Department of Language and Literature There are two people: Phra Khru Wiwet Thammathari (Phuangphit Thammatharo, Buddhist literature) and Mr. Met Metkarunchit (Korat local language).
Department of Religion and Tradition Including Phra Phiphitthavachirakam (Charoen Thanyutto)
Department of Food and Nutrition Including Mr. Sutthiphong Suriya (food design)
Department of Cultural Communication Including the monthly magazine "Tang Isan"
This award is considered an extension of the Arts and Culture plan along with the Science, Technology and Health Science plan, which Khon Kaen University has a clear policy and has continuously produced works that are evident to Thai and international society, in line with the management strategy based on good governance and social leadership and academic services to create benefits for society of Khon Kaen University.
News: Rawiporn Sai Saenthong
Photo: Nattawut Charuwong
See full photos of the event here. Click.
