PMU-B Cluster Joins "Bun Khao Jee Valentine 2023"A Fusion of Thai Tradition and Global Love Culture

PMU-B Cluster Joins "Bun Khao Jee Valentine 2023" A Fusion of Thai Tradition and Global Love Culture

📰 PMU-B Cluster Joins “Bun Khao Jee Valentine 2023” at Khon Kaen University

Bridging Thai Tradition with Contemporary Cultural Expressions

On February 14, 2023 at 6:00 PM, the Cluster Coordination Committee of PMU-B, led byAssoc. Prof. Dr. Rina Patramanon, Chair of the Frontier Research Cluster, andMs. Jaturaporn Chokphukhiow, Director and Chair of the Social Sciences, Humanities, Arts (SHA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Clusters, along with the coordination team,participated in "Bun Khao Jee Valentine 2023", an event organized by the Center for Arts and Culture, Khon Kaen University.

The event was hosted under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Niyom Wongphongkham, Vice President for Arts and Creative Economy, and took place at the west side of Sri Than Lake on the Khon Kaen University campus.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, President of Khon Kaen University, and attended by deans, faculty members, students, and members of the public who came together to celebrate the meaningful blend of Thai and global cultural traditions.

Event Atmosphere and Cultural Highlights

The event featured a vibrant array of cultural and entertainment activities, including:

• Live music performances

• Fancy Grilled Sticky Rice (Khao Jee) Contest

• Paslop traditional dance, a cultural rhythm originating from Laos

• Outdoor film screenings

• Khao Jee Couples Contest

• Miss Valentine KKU Pageant

• And free servings of freshly grilled sticky rice for all attendees

This unique celebration represents a fusion of Thai and international cultures, blending Valentine’s Day, a global expression of love, with “Heet 12 Khong 14”, a traditional Isan (Northeastern Thai) cultural calendar consisting of twelve monthly Buddhist-based rituals and local customs. These practices reflect the beliefs and way of life of the Isan people, passed down through generations.

In the third lunar month, the featured tradition is “Bun Khao Jee”, the merit-making ceremony involving grilled sticky rice.

Thus, “Bun Khao Jee Valentine” emerges as a cross-cultural event that not only celebrates love but also elevates local heritage to a global stage, helping the public recognize and appreciate the deep cultural significance of Isan traditions in modern Thai society.