Ayutthaya 2025

20–30 August 2025

The second edition of the Faculty of Architecture, Kasetsart University (AKU), Summer School focuses on the theme "River x Heritage," exploring the Chao Phraya River's influence on Ayutthaya's cultural and natural heritage. Participants will take part in activities such as paddling along the historic river, engaging in workshops, and joining panel discussions on environmental and cultural topics. These initiatives aim to promote environmental stewardship while fostering a deeper connection to Ayutthaya's tangible and intangible heritage.

Ayutthaya 2024



WHV2024: Community × Heritage

Award-Winning Announcement

Our 2024 program, Community × Heritage: The WHV Ayutthaya 2024 (Thailand), was selected as one of the “Stars of Outstanding” in the 2025 Global Awards for World Heritage Education Innovative Cases (AWHEIC), announced during the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Chosen from nearly 150 global submissions, the program was recognized for its innovative model of community-based heritage education, combining hands-on learning with active local engagement. It demonstrated how academic collaboration and grassroots participation can enrich heritage interpretation. The 2025 edition will be even more immersive, expanding its interdisciplinary and intercultural dimensions.

Explore More on WHITR-AP website
WHV2025: Working on the Future

River x Heritage

The global movement for heritage conservation continues to inspire young individuals, communities, and all stakeholders to build resilient, sustainable, and culturally enriched societies. As rivers have long been lifelines of civilizations, shaping the identity and traditions of communities along their banks, they play a crucial role in our collective heritage. Recognizing this profound connection, we embrace the theme "River x Heritage" to explore the intricate relationship between waterways and heritage. With a strong emphasis on empowering youth, promoting education, and driving tangible actions for the protection and preservation of heritage, we remain committed to fostering awareness and engagement. Through immersive activities such as experiential learning, interdisciplinary workshops, and collaborative initiatives, we seek to bridge the past with the present, ensuring that heritage remains a dynamic and integral part of our future.

As one of Thailand’s most significant World Heritage sites, Ayutthaya stands as a testament to the intricate interplay of cultural exchange, historical continuity, and natural landscapes. However, in a rapidly evolving socio-economic environment, the relationship between the historic city and its waterways must be reinterpreted in a way that ensures both authenticity and sustainability.

Under this theme, we welcome collaboration with dedicated partners, experts, and new allies to reinforce the foundation of heritage protection and advocacy worldwide. Through shared efforts, we safeguard both tangible and intangible heritage, ensuring that the interconnected stories, traditions, and heritage ecosystems continue to thrive and enrich our collective cultural identity.

Objectives

Expanding the Heritage Ecosystem Beyond Material Culture. Strengthening connections between Ayutthaya’s historic city and its surrounding riverine and rural communities by integrating cultural landscapes, local traditions, and ecological networks into heritage ecosystem realm.

Enhancing World Heritage Management Skills. Equipping participants with practical knowledge to interpret and communicate the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of heritage sites, emphasizing the dynamic relationship between the Chao Phraya River and Ayutthaya’s World Heritage Site.

Themes

Our thematic study

World Heritage: Rivers as Cultural Corridors in World Heritage-scapes

Explores how rivers have shaped cultural landscapes and served as connective routes for trade, belief systems, and civilization, emphasizing their role in World Heritage contexts.

Intangible Heritage Along the River: Traditions, Gastronomy, and Local Knowledge

Focuses on the preservation and transmission of river-related intangible heritage, including local rituals, food practices, oral traditions, and knowledge systems tied to riverine life.

Hydrology and Heritage: Managing Water Systems in Historic Cities

Examines traditional and modern hydrological systems in historic cities, including flood control, water storage, and irrigation, highlighting sustainable management practices.

Integrated Riverine Heritage Conservation and Sustainable Tourism

Addresses balancing conservation with tourism by integrating heritage values into planning, encouraging responsible tourism that benefits local communities and protects river landscapes.

Evolving River Landscapes: Adaptation, Transformation, and Resilience

Analyzes historical changes and contemporary pressures on riverine environments, focusing on how communities and ecosystems adapt to environmental and socio-economic challenges.

The River as a Living Heritage: Community Participation in Conservation and Revitalization

Focuses on exploring the multifaceted process of developing, implementing, and managing tourist-cultural projects. Such projects serve as vital conduits for the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage while catering to the needs and expectations of tourists.

Schedule

Date Day Morning session Afternoon session Evening session
2025-08-20 Wed Arrival of participants
2025-08-21 Thu Opening and introduction:
- Welcome speech by Dean of KU
Lecture:
- Introduction of WHV (Patiphol)
- Creativity & Participatory process and Big idea vignette (Aracha)		 Lecture:
- Intangible Heritage Along the River: Traditions, Gastronomy, and Local Knowledge (Patiphol)
Classroom activities:
- Participant presentation [introduce themselves with some presentation]
- Group formation Ice breaking session
2025-08-22 Fri Lecture:
- Community Participation in Conservation and Revitalization (TBC)		 Lecture:
- AIntegrated Riverine Heritage Conservation and Sustainable Tourism (Dolrutai)		 PUBLIC Seminar:
- World Heritage trend in Thailand and beyond(Supitcha)
2025-08-23 Sat Move to Tourism community by train Optional activities such as cooking and foraging for seasonal vegetables and local ingredients.
2025-08-24 Sun Move to Ayutthaya Visiting Ayutthaya City Core area
2025-08-25 Mon Group activities:
- Paddle session		 Lecture:
- Ayutthaya's Hydrology and Heritage: Managing Water Systems in Historic Cities (Hattaya)		 Lecture:
- Evolving River Landscapes: Adaptation, Transformation, and Resilience (Patiphol)
2025-08-26 Tue Group activities:
– Participants will be divided into groups for different activities, such as a bicycle session or a paddle session.		 Group activities:
- Wat Chaiwattanaram (World Monument Fund Project)		 Group activities:
– Participants will be divided into groups for different activities, such as a bicycle session or a paddle session.
2025-08-27 Wed Group activities:
– Participants will be divided into groups for different activities, such as a bicycle session or a paddle session.		 Group activities:
- Wat Chaiwattanaram (World Monument Fund Project)		 Group activities:
– Participants will be divided into groups for different activities, such as a bicycle session or a paddle session.
2025-08-28 Thu River cleaning activity involving hands-on participation in collecting waste along the riverbank and water surface, promoting environmental awareness and community responsibility.
2025-08-29 Fri Lecture:
- World Heritage: Rivers as Cultural Corridors in World Heritage-scapes (Poomipat)		 Group work
2025-08-30 Sat Course summary and evaluation of course Ending ceremony and final presentation at Lan Vela Ayutthaya
2025-08-31 Sun Move to Bangkok Departure of Participants

Contact details

For any inquiries or coordination related to the World Heritage Volunteer Program (Ayutthaya 2024), please reach out to our dedicated coordinator

Coordination: Asst.Prof.Patiphol Yodsurang

patiphol.y@ku.th

18

Vacancies

45

Course Load (hours)

10

consecutive days

FAQ

Target Group:

1. High school students with an interest incultural and environmental heritage, history,architecture, and conservation.
2. Bachelor, Master, PhD students in the areasof Heritage Sciences, Architecture andLandscape Architecture, Tourism, Historyof Art, History, and related areas.
3. Early-career researchers, technicians, andprofessionals in the fields of HeritageSciences, Architecture and LandscapeArchitecture, Tourism, Art History, History,and related areas.

Admission process and documents:

Please submit your application by sending anemail to patiphol.y@ku.th with the subject line “Ayutthaya 2025 Application – (First Name andSurname)”, and attach the required documentslisted below
1. CV with Academic records (2 pages)
2. Motivation Letter (1 page)
3. Recommendation letter
4. Evidence of English language proficiency (if any)
Please ensure that all documents are fully and accurately completed and properly formatted.

Credit transfer:

For participants who want to earn academic credit, credit transfer is available for both undergraduate and graduate courses; however, it must be processed in advance. Students are advised to initiate the credit transfer procedure early to ensure timely processing. Students can apply for recognition of these credits to the relevant authorities in their home institutions, as the final decision on awarding credits rests with their home institutions.
We offer 3 academic credits: Cultural Heritage Theory for undergraduate students and Advanced Cultural Heritage Theory for graduate students.

Certification:

Upon the successful conclusion of the program, attendees will receive a Certificate of Attendance from the summer school. We are delighted to furnish any supplementary details or documents that may be required, in addition to the certificate.

Course fee:

The fee includes accommodation and domestic transportation throughout the program. Additionally, if you prefer a single room, an extra fee of 5,000 THB will be required to cover the cost of the accommodation upgrade.
1. 18,000 THB applies to individuals participant. High school students receive a 50% reduction on all costs.
2. 100% and 50% scholarship awards are available for students from partner institutions with an MOU/MOA. As scholarships are limited, interested students should contact us promptly to secure their spot. The processing of requests will be expedited to ensure timely participation.

Application Periods:

Credit Transfer and Scholarship Applicants: From now until 15 June 2025 20 June 2025
General Public Participants: From now until 10 July 2025

IMPORTANT: The training will be given in English. English proficiency certification is not mandatory upon enrollment, but we recommend a minimum of B-level CEFR (or an equivalent) for effective communication and understanding of all courses.
NOTE: Participants will be required to have proof of accident and liability insurance that is applicable in Thailand for the duration of the course.

Address

Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Kasetsart University. 50 Ngamwongwan Road, Jatujak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

+66(2) 942-8960-3

arch.aku@outlook.com

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