Send the abstracts and full papers
- Interested presenters may send the abstract and full paper to cewss.wu@gmail.com from now to 28 February 2025.
- Selected authors will be notified with an invitation letter via e-mail by 10 March 2025.
Rationale
The Thai-Malay Peninsula has been significant since ancient times due to its rich land and water resources, which have sustained continuous human settlement. Its geographical position as a landmass extending into the sea has also made it a geopolitically strategic area, serving as a transit point for various groups from different regions worldwide and fostering trade, social interaction, and cultural exchange over centuries. For example, it is a society that coexists amidst diversity in folklore, linguistic and cultural traditions, and gender roles.
Phra Borommathat Nakhon Si Thammarat and Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan are esteemed heritage sites in the Thai-Malay Peninsula, possessing importance at both local and global scales. Efforts are presently being made to propose Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List, adhering to the criteria established by UNESCO. The initiative commenced through collaboration between the government and private sectors, becoming apparent when the Governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat endorsed Provincial Order No. 904/2522, which established a working group to nominate Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan as a World Heritage Site on April 1, 2009. Subsequently, ongoing efforts have been implemented to bolster this initiative.
Subsequently, during the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on June 21, 2013, Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan was added to the Tentative List, marking the preliminary stage of the nomination process. The following steps involve the compilation of the nomination document (Stage 2), evaluation by advisory committees (Stage 3), and the final submission for consideration by the World Heritage Committee (Stage 4).
In 2025, a significant milestone in the nomination process was achieved when the documentation was submitted to the National Committee on the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The Thai government subsequently approved the submission, completing the national-level process. The nomination proposal for Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan is based on two key criteria from the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (OG) 2024:
(ii) exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design;
(vi) be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria)
Throughout the process of preparing the nomination document, extensive research and public awareness campaigns have been conducted, highlighting the site’s significance at the Thai-Malay Peninsula, regional, and international levels. Key issues include the interpretation of its cultural value and linguistic translation to bridge local and global understanding and alignment with the OG 2024, reflecting ongoing debates on World Heritage concepts.
In light of this important turning point in the nomination process, the Research Center on Women and Social Security has organized an international conference to examine these matters in further depth. The conversations will address areas including diversity, gender roles, folklore, language, and translation, promoting enhanced academic involvement and knowledge dissemination.
Objectives
- To exchange knowledge on heritage studies, Phra Borommathat, life, and narratives on the Thai-Malay Peninsula within an international academic network, ensuring academic continuity and advancement.
- To propagate knowledge regarding heritage studies, Phra Borommathat, life, and tales of the Thai-Malay Peninsula, thereby fostering future academic collaboration.
Theme
- Wisdom, Cultural Heritage, Sacred Reliquary, Religion and Beliefs, World Heritage, Language and Translation, Linguistic Aspects, Diversity, Gender Roles, Folklore
- Gender and Sexuality Dimensions, Ethnography
- Folklore Studies, Southern Cultural Heritage and Wisdom, Commercial Value Enhancement of Intangible Cultural Heritage
- Linguistics, Translation, Intercultural Communication, Etymology, Language and Literature
- Cultural Management, Cultural Information Management, Methodology and Data Collection in Intangible Cultural Heritage, Political Science, Law
- Other Related Topics
Important Dates
The International Conference on “Sacred Reliquary, Life, and Stories on the Thai-Malay Peninsula” will be held on Friday, 28 March 2025, from 09.00-16.30 hrs, in meeting room 1, Academic Building 5, Walailak University in the form Hybrid Meeting.
- Abstract and Full paper submission: now to 28 February 2025
- Peer Reviewer Process: March 1-9, 2025
- Notification of acceptance: March 10, 2025
Abstract and Full Paper Submission
- Paper must meet the word limit of 6,000-8,000 words along with an abstract of 300 words.
- Three to five keywords must be listed at the end of the abstract.
- The APA reference style is recommended.
- Submitted abstracts and papers are only accepted in Microsoft Word Format.
Conference Program
| Time (BKK Time) | Programs | Remark |
| 08.30-08.45 | Registration | Online / onsite |
| 08.45-09.00 | Conference Report By Asst.Prof. Dr. Vithaya Aporn Head of Research Center on Women and Social Security, Walailak University Opening Remarks: By Chavakit Suwankiri Nakhon Si Thammarat Vice Governor * The schedule is subject to change as appropriate | Mistress of Ceremonies: Ajarn Pavirasa Praditson School of Languages and General Education, Walailak University By Ajarn Nootchanat Sukkaew School of Liberal Arts, Walailak University |
| 09.00-09.30 | Opening Performance By Thai Dance Program, School of Education, Walailak University Director by Ajarn Nuchanart Rodsaaad School of Education, Walailak University | Introducing Performance: By Ajarn Nootchanat Sukkaew School of Liberal Arts, Walailak University |
| 09.30-09.45 | Introducing Keynote Speaker Assoc.Prof. Dr. Wannasarn Noonsuk, California State University, FresnoBy Dr. Kamontip KlaibanmaiSchool of Liberal Arts, Walailak University | |
| 09.45-10.30 | Keynote Speaker: “Heritage of Diversity: The Outstanding Universal Value of Wat Phra Mahathat” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wannasarn Noonsuk California State University, Fresno, United State | Coffee Break inside meeting room |
| 10.30-12.30 | Special Panel: “Cultural Heritage Studies in the Modern World” 1. Development Paths for International Chinese Language Education under the New Liberal Arts Initiative and the Concept of “Big Literature” By Professor Dr.Yuan Jifeng Foreign Languages and Cultures, Chongqing University, China 2. Literature as Gendered Memory: Women’s Narrative, Trauma, and the Writing of Southeast Asian Histories By Associate Professor Dr.Ranwarat Kobsirithiwara Department of Literature, Faculty of Humanities Kasetsart University and Deputy Director of Rajanagarindra Institute of Linguistics and Cultural Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Kasetsart University 3.Performing (Im)piety: (Non)Veiling and the Discursive Construction of Muslim Women’s Agency on Malaysian TV By Dr. Farhana Bunti Abdul Fatah Applied Linguistics, Gender Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya 4.Silenced Voices under Gardens and Skies: Gendered Memory in Malaysian Fiction By Dr.Nadirah Binti Mat Pozian senior lecturer, Gender Studies Programme, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Universiti Malaya | Moderator: Dr. Kamontip Klaibanmai School of Liberal Arts, Walailak University |
| 12.00-13.00 | Lunch Break | |
| 13.00-14.00 | Special Discussion: “Perspectives through Contemporary Literature: History, Gender, and Thai Politics after the 1934 Revolution” 1.Associate Professor Dr.Saowarit Choolawong Department of Thai, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thammasat University 2.Dr.Wanviwat Rattanalumpu Institute of Continuing Education and Human Resources, Thammasat University 3.Dr.Danai Ployplai Thai as a Foreign Language Program, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University 4.Assistant Professor Dr.Saranpat Boonhok Thai Language Program, Faculty of Education, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University | Master ceremony: Ajarn Anggi Auliyani Suharja School of Languages and General Education, Walailak University Moderator: Ajarn Dr. Chutacaphat Rattanaphan School of Education, Walailak University |
| 14.00-14.15 | Coffee Break | |
| 14.15-15.30 | Presentation Session (Panel 1-4) | |
| 15.30-16.00 | Closing Ceremony |
Expected Outcomes
- Presentation on research findings to the participants.
- A review of knowledge related to cultural heritage management and other relevant fields
- Further research development and future academic collaborations-
