LEEDS, UK – Khon Kaen University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HUSO) officially launched the Centre for Thai Language and Culture on October 12, 2025, at the Buddharam Temple in Leeds, United Kingdom.
The new center is a joint initiative between Khon Kaen University, Buddharam Temple, and the Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Cultures at the University of Leeds.
The opening ceremony was attended by distinguished guests and dignitaries from both Thailand and the UK. Attendees included H.E. Thani Thongphakdi, Ambassador of Thailand to the United Kingdom; Councillor Dan Cohen, Lord Mayor of Leeds; Mr Surapon Petch-Vra, Vice Chairman of the Khon Kaen University Council; and Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University.
Representatives from the University of Leeds, including Prof. Emma Cayley, Head of the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, and Prof. Martin Seeger, a professor of Thai Studies, were also present.
“The opening of the Thai Language and Culture Centre today is a significant step in disseminating the Thai language and culture more widely. It will not only help the new generation learn their Thai roots but also serve as a bridge to strengthen the friendship between the people of Thailand and Britain.”
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University, emphasized the center's global significance, describing it as a “symbol of friendship, understanding, and sustainable cooperation between the two nations.” He noted that the center will promote Thai language, arts, and culture to both the Thai diaspora and international learners.
The center, managed by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, aims to serve as a hub for Thai language and cultural promotion, academic exchange, and cross-cultural understanding between Thailand and the United Kingdom. It is also a key part of the faculty's mission to advance its internationalization efforts.
Prior to the official opening, the center successfully ran a “Thai Language and Culture Summer Course 2025,” which taught basic Thai communication and cultural etiquette to foreign learners through hands-on activities.
“This center will be a space for learning and real-world experience, providing internship and learning opportunities for students from both Khon Kaen University and the University of Leeds to understand different languages and cultures.”
The initiative is seen as a key part of Thailand's “soft power” strategy, extending the nation's cultural and educational influence across Europe.
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