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Faculty of Social Sciences, CMU Students Join ASEAN Field School 2026 in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

28 May 2026
Faculty of Social Sciences
The Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, participated in the ASEAN Field School 2026 programme in Vientiane Capital and the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, during 22–27 May 2026. The programme aimed to promote regional field-based learning and strengthen academic and research skills through direct engagement with contemporary social contexts in Southeast Asia.

The Faculty delegation consisted of 15 participants led by Assistant Professor Dr. Panitda Saiyarod from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Assistant Professor Dr. Phaothai Sin-ampol, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs and Internationalisation, and Mr. Phosun Wichoeila, Student Affairs Officer for International Student Development, together with undergraduate students from the Faculty of Social Sciences. They joined academic activities with faculty members and students from the National University of Laos and Souphanouvong University, with eight additional participants from the Lao institutions.

ASEAN Field School 2026 focused on experiential learning through field research, cross-cultural exchange, and international academic collaboration. Students were divided into thematic groups to investigate contemporary social, urban, and economic transformations in Lao PDR through field observations, in-depth interviews, and direct engagement with local communities.

One of the major themes, “Urban Changes for Whom?”, explored urban transformation and infrastructure development in Luang Prabang amid rapid tourism expansion. Students examined issues related to inclusivity, public space accessibility, and the “Right to the City” by conducting field observations and interviews concerning market space management, public utilities, drainage systems, sanitation, and access to public facilities. The study encouraged students to critically reflect on how urban development affects local communities and everyday life.

Another theme, “Youth and Cultural Change,” investigated how young people in Luang Prabang perceive cultural transformation in the context of modernisation, tourism, and cultural commodification. Students explored the adaptation strategies of local youth amid changing economic and social conditions, including the emergence of hybrid identities influenced by Lao, Thai, and Chinese cultural interactions within the region.

Students also examined the topic “Tourism Expansion and Local Impacts after the Laos–China Railway,” which analysed the rapid growth of tourism following the opening of the Laos–China Railway. Through interviews with local stakeholders and business operators, students explored both the opportunities and challenges brought by increased tourism, including economic vulnerability, competition from external investment, and local adaptation to changing socio-economic conditions.

Throughout the programme, students developed essential fieldwork and analytical skills, including qualitative data collection, cross-cultural communication, teamwork, and problem-solving in real-world contexts. The experience broadened their understanding of regional diversity and the dynamic social transformations taking place across Southeast Asia.

ASEAN Field School 2026 therefore served as an important platform connecting academic knowledge in the social sciences with lived realities in the region, while strengthening academic collaboration among higher education institutions and promoting meaningful learning beyond the classroom.
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