King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), in collaboration with the Program Management Unit for Area-based Development (PMU-A), is advancing two key research projects: one focused on improving education for marginalized students and the other on promoting Karen cultural capital in Ratchaburi Province. The initiatives emphasize the development of “Village Education Volunteers (VEVs)” to support teaching in remote areas and establish learning systems tailored to underprivileged learners. The projects also support community-based craft learning centers and the “Karen Na-Ae Cultural Market,” aiming to generate income and create sustainable livelihoods that strengthen the local economy.
Asst. Prof. Nantana Boonlaor, head of the cultural research initiative and Lecturer of School of Architecture and Design-KMUTT, emphasized:
“Over the past three years, the project has fostered collaboration between schools, communities, and households, resulting in community learning centers for local crafts and the Karen Na-Ae Cultural Market—a platform promoting grassroots cultural entrepreneurship.”