Thai folk sports are a valuable cultural heritage, yet they are fading from the new generation’s awareness due to globalisation and technological advancement. Therefore, the revival and conservation of Thai folk sports are crucial for preserving cultural identity and local wisdom. Furthermore, folk sports offer older people significant physical and mental health benefits. They provide age-appropriate exercise that enhances neuromuscular coordination, promotes physical mobility, strength, and flexibility, and develops quick-wittedness. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is undergoing rapid economic and social development while retaining its unique local cultural roots. Creating opportunities for older people in this region to participate in preserving and passing on local wisdom through folk sports serves to integrate the improvement of quality of life with the conservation of local culture. The “Play, Learn, Know: Folk Sports Never Retire” project was established in response to these challenges. It utilises folk sports as a tool to promote lifelong learning among older people and as a medium to foster interaction among community members.
Project Coordinator:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanida Julavanichpong, Project Leader (Faculty of Sports Science)
Asst. Prof. Dr. Warakorn Sapwisedpakorn (Faculty of Education)
Dr. Phuangthong Injai (Faculty of Medicine)
Asst. Prof. Dr. Chatkamol Singnoi (Faculty of Sports Science)
Ms. Nipaporn Janpae (Faculty of Sports Science)
Ms. Thararat Kowkim (Faculty of Sports Science)
Ms. Thanyalak Mokrit (Faculty of Sports Science)
Mr. Chayanon Puphansri (Faculty of Sports Science)
Mr. Klanarong Kraikaew (Faculty of Sports Science)
Objectives:
- To revive and conserve Thai folk sports as a cultural heritage.
- To promote lifelong learning for older people through participation in sports.
- To transfer knowledge and build relationships within the community.
Program Activities:
This project is a knowledge synthesis derived from the research project titled “Learning Center for Innovative Approaches to Folk Sports Wisdom for Tourist Communities in the Eastern Economic Corridor.” The research was led by Associate Professor Dr. Thanida Julavanichpong of the Faculty of Sports Science and received funding support from the Fundamental Fund for the fiscal years of 2021-2023. The project was conducted in collaboration with the School for the Elderly of the Tapong Sub-district Administrative Organisation in Rayong Province and the School for the Elderly of the Mab Phai Sub-district Administrative Organisation in Chonburi Province.
The activities aimed to revive and conserve Thai folk sports, promote lifelong learning among older people, and build community relationships. This project was supported by the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) under the “Human Capacity Development Project to Promote the Utilisation of Local Resources for Lifelong Learning of the Eastern Region C-RSPG Network.” Activities within the project included: A panel discussion on “Folk Sports: A Way of Learning, Fun for All Ages.” An experience-sharing session on folk sports. A friendly folk sports competition. A joint learning assessment. Special rules designed to foster creativity. An experience-sharing forum titled “Folk Sports and an Active Life.”
Expected Outcomes (Impacts):
- Older people have skills in folk sports and enjoy good health.
- Knowledge is learned and transferred within the community.
- Folk sports are conserved and promoted in the eastern region, especially in the EEC area. 4. The activities aimed to revive and conserve Thai folk sports, promote lifelong learning among older people, and build community relationships.
This project was supported by the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) under the “Human Capacity Development Project to Promote the Utilisation of Local Resources for Lifelong Learning of the Eastern Region C-RSPG Network.”
Date of Implementation: June 11, 2025
