PSU Surat Thani hosts Khon performance to honor Her Majesty the Queen Mother and celebrate the Campus' 35th anniversary
Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Surat Thani Campus, in collaboration with the Suvarnabhumi Institute of PSU and educational institutions across Surat Thani Province, presented the PSU Khon Performance featuring the Ramakien episode "The Battle of Kumbhakarna: Sugriva Uproots the Rang Tree." The performance was held at the Surat Thani Campus Auditorium on July 6, 2026, to honor Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, and to celebrate the 35th anniversary of PSU Surat Thani Campus.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Ms. Sabeeda Thaised, Minister of Culture, and attended by the Vice Governor of Surat Thani Province, the President of Prince of Songkla University, university executives, government officials, faculty members, staff, students, and distinguished guests.
Assistant Professor Dr. Niwat Keawpradub, President of Prince of Songkla University, stated that the event reflects the University's commitment to preserving Thailand's cultural heritage while advancing education, academic services, human resource development, and social contribution. He noted that the PSU Khon performance is organized annually on a rotating basis across the University's five campuses Pattani, Phuket, Trang, Surat Thani, and Hat Yai to provide young people and the public with opportunities to appreciate Thailand's traditional performing arts and foster pride in the nation's cultural heritage.
Minister of Culture Ms. Sabeeda Thaised praised the performance for its artistic excellence, highlighting the beauty of its stage production, costumes, and performers. She also commended the University's initiative to rotate the production among different campuses and engage students from local educational institutions, describing it as an effective way to inspire younger generations to preserve and promote Thai cultural traditions while developing creativity, confidence, and a deeper appreciation of Thai identity.
The Minister further noted that Khon continues to evolve through modern stage design and production techniques while preserving its traditional craftsmanship and artistic values, making it a powerful expression of Thailand's rich cultural heritage.
The celebration also reflected the remarkable development of PSU Surat Thani Campus over the past 35 years. Since its establishment, the campus has played a vital role in expanding educational opportunities, advancing research and innovation, and delivering academic services that support the sustainable development of Upper Southern Thailand.
Today, the campus continues to strengthen its strategic focus on high-value agriculture, fisheries, and food innovation, digital transformation for the bio-based economy, tourism and language development, and effective, transparent, and sustainable institutional management, reinforcing its mission to produce skilled graduates, generate impactful research, and contribute meaningfully to regional and national development.