On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Associate Professor Supakorn Pongbangpho, Ph.D., President, University of Phayao, presided over the opening of the “Traveling Thai Classical Dance and Music Performance” organized by the School of Architecture and Fine Arts and the Lanna Arts and Culture Center, University of Phayao, in collaboration with the Office of Music and Dramatic Arts, Fine Arts Department. More than 2,000 university executives, lecturers, staff, students, school students, and people from Phayao joined the event at Phaya Ngam Muang Auditorium, University of Phayao.

Assistant Professor Amares Thepma, Ph.D., Dean, School of Architecture and Fine Arts, said the event aimed to make Thai performing arts and cultural heritage more accessible to young people and the public, especially those living outside major cities. The highlight was a Khon performance from the Ramakien epic, “Rama Samana Avatar”, giving audiences a chance to experience one of Thailand’s most beautiful and highly skilled traditional art forms.

Khon is a traditional Thai masked dance-drama with a long history and is known for its elaborate costumes, music, dance, and storytelling. In 2018, Khon was inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Bringing the performance to Phayao helped create a closer connection between young people and this important part of Thai cultural heritage, while encouraging them to learn about and take pride in their national culture.

The event also provided a valuable learning experience for students, particularly those studying music and performing arts. University students and staff had the opportunity to see how a large-scale professional performance is prepared, from stage management and technical work to the coordination of performers and production teams. More than 150 performers, specialists, and staff from the Office of Music and Dramatic Arts, Fine Arts Department, took part in the event and shared their knowledge and professional experience with the university community.

The event reflects the University of Phayao’s commitment to preserving Thai arts and culture, creating meaningful learning opportunities, and passing cultural heritage on to the next generation. It also strengthened cooperation between the university, cultural organizations, and the local community, helping keep Thai performing arts alive and ensuring that they continue to be appreciated and passed on to future generations.