Culture
Five Rajabhat Universities and BMA Host 'Charm of Palaces, Canals, and Markets' Cultural Festival
A collaborative cultural event held at Wat Kalayanamit showcased Bangkok’s riverside heritage, aiming to preserve local wisdom and boost the creative economy.
On September 12–13, 2026, five Rajabhat universities—Chandrakasem, Ban Somdejchaopraya, Suan Sunandha, Phranakhon, and Thonburi—partnered with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to host a cultural festival titled 'Charm of Palaces, Canals, and Markets' (Withi Saneh Wang Khlong Talat). The event took place at Wat Kalayanamit Woramahawihan.
According to Khaosod Online Thailand, the festival was designed to offer visitors a new perspective on Bangkok’s riverside heritage. The program highlighted local wisdom, traditional arts, and culinary history, emphasizing the historical significance of palaces, canals, and markets as the foundational elements of the city's settlement patterns. Assistant Professor Dr. Supanee Paladsrichuay, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Chandrakasem Rajabhat University, stated that the primary goal of the collaboration is to conserve and promote the historical and cultural value of these community lifestyles.
For residents and travelers, this event serves as a reminder of the deep-rooted connection between Bangkok’s waterways and its urban development. While the festival provided a platform for cultural appreciation and creative economic growth, it remains to be seen how these academic institutions will sustain these preservation efforts in the long term or if similar collaborative events will be scheduled for other historic districts in the capital.
