On 20 April 2026, Associate Professor Dr. Montra Pongnil, Dean of the School of Political and Social Sciences, University of Phayao, together with the faculty’s executive team and staff, participated in the University of Phayao Lanna New Year (Pi Mai Mueang) Festival 2026 at the Phaya Ngam Muang Convention Hall. Participants proudly wore traditional Thai and Northern Thai (Lanna) attire, reflecting the rich cultural identity and heritage of the Lanna region.
As part of the celebration, the faculty joined the traditional Rod Nam Dam Hua ceremony, a cherished Northern Thai custom in which scented water and symbolic offerings—including floral trays, sacred water, and Som Poi water—were respectfully presented to Associate Professor Dr. Supakorn Pongsabangpo, President of the University of Phayao, along with senior university leaders. The ceremony expressed gratitude, respect, and good wishes to elders, while preserving the longstanding traditions associated with the Songkran Festival.
The faculty also actively participated in several cultural competitions organized during the event, including the Lanna-style Larb Cooking Competition and the Traditional Offering Procession Competition. Demonstrating creativity, teamwork, and dedication, the faculty received two Honorable Mention Awards—one in the Lanna-style Larb Cooking Competition and another in the Traditional Offering Procession Competition. These achievements reflect the strong collaboration, creativity, and cultural pride of the faculty’s administrators and staff.
Participation in this annual celebration provided an important opportunity to preserve, promote, and pass on the valuable cultural traditions of Northern Thailand. It also strengthened unity, fostered a sense of belonging among faculty members, and reinforced the faculty’s commitment to preserving local heritage while contributing to the sustainable development of both the Faculty and the University of Phayao.