The shores of Bangsaen Beach recently transformed into an open-air cultural pavilion as the local community gathered for the annual “Wan Lai Bangsaen” Sand Stupa Festival. This ancient tradition, deeply rooted in the identity of the Saen Suk Subdistrict, continues to serve as a powerful testament to community solidarity, religious devotion, and cultural resilience. In a visionary move to bridge cultural heritage with marine conservation, the Institute of Marine Science has launched a landmark initiative under its Resource Support Project for the Promotion of Arts and Culture Preservation Plan. This project redefines the traditional “Wan Lai Bangsaen” sand sculpting festival as a powerful platform for environmental advocacy. Led by Dr Banlang Nuangsang, Director of the Institute of Marine Science, Miss Wiracha Charoendee, Assistant Director for Special Affairs, Dr Adisorn Monvises, Expert and Acting Head of World Beneath the Sea, and Bangsaen, who belong to the administrative staff, marine education specialists, and personnel, the Institute showcased an academic-based sand sculpture that integrated scientific knowledge with local cultural traditions, demonstrating the University’s commitment to sustainable community development through education and public engagement.
Project Coordinator: Miss Wiracha Charoendee, Assistant Director for Special Affairs
Objectives:
- To sustain the ancient “Wan Lai” sand stupa tradition by integrating Buddhist symbolism with the Institute of Marine Science’s knowledge, tailoring the art to reflect the identity of the local area
- To foster active participation among staff and build strong collaborative networks between the Institute of Marine Science and local government cultural agencies across Chonburi Province.
- To promote sustainable tourism by showcasing sand sculptures decorated with natural materials, using them as a creative medium to educate the public on marine science and ocean wildlife conservation.
Program Activities:
On 16–17 April 2026, the Institute of Marine Science (BIMS), Burapha University, participated in the Bangsaen Wan Lai Sand Pagoda Festival 2026 at Bangsaen Beach, Chonburi, under the Cultural Preservation Support Program. By transforming scientific knowledge into an accessible and creative public exhibition, the Institute provided an interactive learning platform that encouraged visitors to understand contemporary environmental challenges better while fostering awareness of responsible stewardship of marine resources. This approach illustrates how academic expertise can effectively support environmental education beyond the classroom and inspire sustainable behavioural change among the public. The initiative also highlights the value of integrating cultural heritage with scientific communication. By participating in the traditional Bangsaen Sand Pagoda Festival, the Institute helped preserve an important local cultural practice while enriching the event with educational content addressing pressing sustainability issues. Through the artwork as a concept for sustainability: The featured sand sculpture, The Bryde’s Whale’s Cry: Threat in the Ecosystem, was designed to communicate the importance of marine biodiversity conservation, the vulnerability of marine ecosystems, and the impacts of marine debris. Rather than serving solely as a cultural celebration, the festival became a venue for public learning, environmental awareness, and dialogue on marine conservation, reinforcing the role of cultural events as platforms for sustainable development. The recognition reflected the importance of partnerships between higher education institutions, local authorities, and the community in advancing sustainable cultural and environmental initiatives. The activity further strengthened university personnel’s engagement in community service and cultural preservation while demonstrating Burapha University’s role in connecting academic knowledge with society through practical, inclusive outreach.
Expected Outcomes (Impacts):
During the event, representatives from the local government presented awards and certificates to participating organisations, led by President of the Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organisation, Wittaya Khunplome; Sontaya Kunplome, Former Minister of Culture; and Narongchai Koonpleum, Mayor of Saensuk Municipality, recognising the collaborative efforts of multiple sectors in preserving local traditions and strengthening community participation. By seamlessly integrating research-based scientific knowledge with local wisdom and public participation, the Institute of Marine Science has created a powerful blueprint for long-term coastal sustainability. Transforming traditional Wan Lai Bangsaen sand stupas into striking sculptures of marine life serves as a creative catalyst for environmental education, raising critical public awareness of the deadly perils posed by marine debris and plastic pollution. This initiative directly reflects Burapha University’s commitment to advancing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through outreach and engagement. Ultimately, this project drives global progress by safeguarding local heritage (SDG 11), protecting fragile marine ecosystems (SDG 14), and fostering cross-sector collaboration (SDG 17)—proving that when an academic institution unites with a community to celebrate its past, it successfully secures a cleaner, more sustainable future for its oceans.
Date of Implementation: Date: April 16–25, 2026 • Location: Bangsaen Beach, Saen Suk Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chonburi Province, Thailand.
