Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, Welcomes ASEAN Students for AUN Summer Camp 2026: Exploring Culture and Community in Pattani through Gastronomy
Prince of Songkla University hosted the AUN Summer Camp 2026 under the theme “Taste of Southern Thailand: Connecting Cultures through Gastronomy” from May 5 - 18, 2026. The program brought together 55 students from member universities of the ASEAN University Network (AUN) across 8 countries, providing opportunities for cultural exchange and experiential learning through food, local lifestyles, and community-based activities in Songkhla and Pattani provinces.
As part of the program, participants joined activities at the Pattani Campus under the sub-theme “Pattani Gastronomy: Roots to Waves in Harmony,” which took place from May 11 - 13, 2026. Throughout the three days in Pattani, participants from ASEAN universities engaged in various academic and cultural activities, including community visits, intercultural exchange sessions, group activities, and idea presentations reflecting on their learning experiences. The program aimed to foster intercultural understanding, promote ASEAN citizenship, and support learning for sustainable development.
One of the key highlights of the program was community-based learning through visits to three local communities: Tarn Jarang Community, Rongrian Chaolay Community, and Cocoa Union Pattani. These activities provided students with opportunities to learn how local raw materials are transformed into products and to understand the entire process from upstream to downstream production.
Participants also experienced local ways of life, indigenous wisdom, and the multicultural diversity of the southern border provinces. The program further reflected the university’s role in working closely with communities as “learning partners” that grow and develop together. In addition, the program strengthened networks among students and universities across ASEAN while creating a platform for exchanging knowledge on culture, gastronomy, and local identity.
These experiences significantly contribute to promoting the soft power of Southern Thailand on the international stage. AUN Summer Camp 2026 represents another important initiative demonstrating Prince of Songkla University’s commitment to advancing internationalization alongside sustainable community and social development through meaningful learning experiences that connect people, cultures, and the ASEAN region together.
