Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS) contributed to arts and cultural activities in 2025 through traditional performances, fashion shows, public art, exhibitions, and collaborations with cultural organisations and local communities. These activities involved university students, lecturers, artists, and external partners, providing opportunities to present and share artistic and cultural expressions with local, national, and international audiences.
Traditional Performances and Cultural Festivals
Songkhla Old Town International Art Workshop 2025 (26–30 May 2025)
The Faculty of Architecture organised an international art workshop under the Culture Smart City: Songkhla Old Town project, bringing together 70 artists from eight countries. The opening ceremony on 26 May featured a Nora performance, introducing participants to the traditional southern Thai dance-drama recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. Nora performers also participated as models for contemporary artworks inspired by local cultural traditions.
Roi Rai: 100 Light Cultural Festival (4–6 July 2025)
RUTS organised the three-day cultural festival in Songkhla Old Town, featuring traditional Nora dance, Ta Phran Bun giant puppetry, contemporary cultural performances, and the “100 LIGHT” fashion show presenting contemporary designs inspired by Thai textiles. The festival was free and open to the public.
The event brought artistic performances into the streets and public spaces of Songkhla Old Town, supporting the presentation of traditional performing arts and contemporary creative expressions.
24th IMT-GT Varsity Carnival 2025 (27 October–2 November 2025)
RUTS students participated in the international cultural exchange programme hosted by Thaksin University. Their performance incorporated traditional dance, music, costumes, and cultural elements representing Thailand and the southern region.
The RUTS team received “The Best Cultural Performance” award among participating universities from Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Fashion and Textile Performances
Songkhla Business Night (29 September–1 October 2025)
Lecturers and students from the Fashion and Textile Design Programme participated in Songkhla Business Night, presenting a fashion show featuring contemporary clothing inspired by Songkhla’s cultural identity and traditional Thai textiles. The event welcomed diplomatic representatives from 21 countries.
Bangkok International Fashion Week 2025 (12 October 2025)
Students from the Fashion and Textile Design Programme presented their collection at the Visionary Stage, Siam Center, Bangkok, as part of Bangkok International Fashion Week 2025. The public fashion show featured contemporary designs drawing inspiration from Thai cultural heritage and local textile traditions.
Other Cultural Entertainment
Seamila Sandwalk Festival #2 (26–27 July 2025)
RUTS lecturers and students contributed sand sculptures and creative installations to the public festival at Chalatat Beach, Songkhla. The wider festival programme also included a mini-concert and other entertainment activities.
The university’s documented contribution focused on visual arts and creative installations. Its involvement in organising or supporting the concert requires further confirmation before the performance can be included in the university’s performance count.
Public Art and Community-Based Creative Projects
- Singora City of Wealth (January–February 2025): Architecture students designed lantern installations representing the cultural identities of Songkhla’s 16 districts for public display during Chinese New Year.
- Cat and Mouse Sculptures (25 March 2025): Lecturers and students collaborated with local partners to redesign public sculptures at Chalatat Beach under the theme “Innovation for Diversity.”
- Wire Art Songkhla (28 August–7 September 2025): RUTS collaborated with community and industry partners to transform used fibre-optic cables into public artworks inspired by Songkhla Old Town’s architectural and cultural heritage.
- HATYAI RISE UP (20–25 December 2025): Visual Arts students contributed to creative pedestrian-crossing artworks in central Hat Yai following the 2025 floods.
- Thai Youth Street Art Competition (26–27 April 2025): RUTS students created a public mural incorporating southern Thai cultural references and received the Second Runner-Up Award.
Art Exhibitions and Artistic Development
- Young Artists Talent #16 (January 2025): A RUTS Visual Arts student participated in a national artistic development programme, producing mixed-media work for a subsequent public exhibition.
- Suphanburi Contemporary Art Exchange (21–25 February 2025): RUTS Visual Arts lecturers joined an international contemporary art workshop and contributed artworks to its exhibition.
- Sa-Prang Art Thesis Exhibition (4–30 April 2025): RUTS organised a public exhibition of graduating students’ paintings, sculptures, textile installations, and mixed-media artworks at the Songkhla Art Center.
- FOS: Fashion of the South Exhibition (28 August–7 September 2025): The Fashion and Textile Design Programme presented traditional and contemporary southern Thai textile works at Baan Rattanaphruek Saw during Pakk Taii Design Week.
- Thailand Biennale, Phuket 2025 (from 29 November 2025): Four RUTS Visual Arts lecturers exhibited contemporary artworks reflecting the cultural identity and coastal communities of southern Thailand.
In 2025, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS) contributed to 16 documented arts and cultural activities, including cultural performances, art exhibitions, public art installations, fashion shows, and community-based creative projects. These activities were undertaken by university students and staff, independently or in collaboration with local communities and external organisations, as summarised below.
| No. | Arts and Cultural Activities | Date | Performance Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Young Artists Talent #16 – National Young Artists Development Programme | 9–15 Jan 2025 | No – Art workshop and exhibition |
| 2 | Singora City of Wealth – Cultural Lantern Installation | Jan–Feb 2025 | No – Public art installation |
| 3 | Suphanburi National and International Contemporary Art Exchange | 21–25 Feb 2025 | No – Art workshop and exhibition |
| 4 | Cat and Mouse Sculptures – Innovation for Diversity | 25 Mar 2025 | No – Public sculpture |
| 5 | Sa-Prang: Art Thesis Exhibition 2025 | 4–30 Apr 2025 | No – Art exhibition |
| 6 | Thai Youth Street Art Competition | 26–27 Apr 2025 | No – Street art competition |
| 7 | Songkhla Old Town International Art Workshop 2025 | 26–30 May 2025 | Yes – Nora performance |
| 8 | Roi Rai: 100 Light Cultural Festival | 4–6 Jul 2025 | Yes – Nora, puppetry, cultural performances and fashion show |
| 9 | Seamila Sandwalk Festival #2 | 26–27 Jul 2025 | Yes – Mini-concert; RUTS involvement |
| 10 | Wire Art Songkhla – Pakk Taii Design Week | 28 Aug–7 Sep 2025 | No – Public art installation |
| 11 | FOS: Fashion of the South Exhibition | 28 Aug–7 Sep 2025 | Yes – Fashion show |
| 12 | Songkhla Business Night – Thai Textile Exhibition and Fashion Show | 29 Sep–1 Oct 2025 | Yes – Fashion show |
| 13 | Bangkok International Fashion Week 2025 | 12 Oct 2025 | Yes – Fashion show |
| 14 | 24th IMT-GT Varsity Carnival – Cultural Performance | 27 Oct–2 Nov 2025 | Yes – Traditional cultural performance |
| 15 | Thailand Biennale, Phuket 2025 | 29 Nov 2025–30 Apr 2026 | No – Art exhibition |
| 16 | HATYAI RISE UP – Creative Crosswalks | 20–25 Dec 2025 | No – Public art project |
| Total Arts and Cultural Activities | 16 activities |