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12 February 2026 – Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the official opening ceremony of the “Phorn Panya Library” at Sawankhalok District Prison, Sukhothai Province. During the visit, Her Royal Highness also presented commemorative pins to representatives of organizations supporting the initiative, including Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU).

At 3:20 PM, Her Royal Highness arrived at Sawankhalok District Prison and was received by Mr. Somluck Yoknoiwong, Vice Governor of Sukhothai; Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon Naowarat, Minister of Justice; Mrs. Pongsawat Neelayothin, Permanent Secretary for Justice; Pol Lt Col Prawut Wongsinin, Director-General of the Department of Corrections; and Mr. Decha Klakhaeng, Commander of Sawankhalok District Prison.

During the ceremony, the Director-General of the Department of Corrections presented the list of executives and benefactors to receive commemorative pins. Representing STOU, Asst Professor Dr. Karn Boonsiri, Vice-President for Academic Services, Networking, and Special Affairs, was appointed by the University President to receive the royal honor in recognition of the university’s steadfast support for the prison library.

Her Royal Highness officially inaugurated the “Phorn Panya Library” and inspected its operations, which include the “Opportunity Vehicle”—a mobile library designed to deliver knowledge directly to inmates. Her Royal Highness also signed the commemorative stone plaque, granted royal gift bags to representatives of male and female inmates, planted a Magnolia sirindhorniae tree to mark the occasion, and toured exhibitions on inmate rehabilitation and vocational training programs organized by partner networks.

Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University plays a pivotal role in the “Phorn Panya Library” project by providing comprehensive educational resources to inmates, breaking down barriers to learning within the correctional system. STOU’s contributions include:

• Learning Resources: Providing textbooks, workbooks, and instructional media across various disciplines.
• Audiovisual Support: Enabling inmates to access supplementary distance learning sessions despite spatial constraints.
• Examination Systems: Coordinating with the prison to establish special on-site examination centers, managed by STOU faculty and correctional officers to maintain academic standards.
• Reading Promotion: Collaborative activities with the School of Liberal Arts (Information and Library Science) to teach reading and summarization techniques.
• Bibliotherapy: Using literature as a tool to reduce stress and improve the mental well-being of inmates.

By integrating these services, STOU successfully transforms the prison environment into a “Distance Learning Center,” embodying the university’s core philosophy: “Lifelong Education for All.”

Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) recently participated in the high-level executive forum “RAOT Vision Meeting: Rubber Forward – Connecting the Present to a Sustainable Future,” held from 23–25 January 2026, at Sand Dunes Chaolao Beach Resort, Chanthaburi.

The forum served as a critical platform for the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT) to reassess the direction of the Thai rubber industry. Discussions focused on adapting to rapid global shifts, including stringent environmental regulations, the rise of the digital economy, and the overarching challenges of sustainability.

Representing STOU’s commitment to lifelong learning, the university delegation was led by:

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Padcharee Phasuk, Vice-President for Academic Affairs.
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Pimprapa Phanphai, Assistant to the President.
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Pudinan Adithipyangkul, Deputy Dean of the School of Economics.

STOU is set to provide concrete support to RAOT through three core strategic pillars:

1. Educational Development & Modern Farming: Cultivating a new generation of “Smart Farmers” equipped with entrepreneurial mindsets, digital literacy, and a deep understanding of global market production chains.
2. Research & Innovation: Advancing Smart Agriculture and sustainability-focused research to provide data-driven insights for policy-making and practical implementation.
3. Lifelong Learning Systems: Utilizing STOU’s expertise in distance education to offer flexible curricula and Micro-credentials. This enables farmers and RAOT personnel to gain certified specialized skills through short-term, hands-on training rather than traditional four-year degree programs.

This workshop marks a significant milestone in “laying the knowledge foundation” to support RAOT’s new enterprise plan. By bridging academic expertise with industrial needs, STOU and RAOT aim to ensure that the Thai rubber industry remains resilient, modern, and globally competitive.

“We are moving beyond theory to action—ensuring that every rubber farmer has the tools to thrive in a digital and green economy.”

On 2 February 2026, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Worrawit Nakpan, Director of
the Department of International Affairs delivered donated items such as clothes and books to The Mirror Foundation to be distributed to vulnerable groups and utilized in various social welfare activities. Representatives from the foundation received the donations at
the Lak Si Donation Center, Bangkok.

From “Waste Separation” to “Creating Social Opportunities,” this activity is an integral part of the project “World University Rankings Awareness: Green University”. The primary objective is to cultivate a strong conscience regarding waste separation and efficient resource recovery, aimed at reducing waste within the university and surrounding communities. Concurrently, this initiative supports
the operations of The Mirror Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to social development, human rights, and extensive resource sharing. This collaboration serves as a key driver towards a low-carbon society and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

On 23 January 2025, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) delivered medicine, medical supplies, clothes, and shoes to Umphang Hospital. This donation aims to support the medical treatment of people in remote areas.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Somsak Tienjaroonkul, Faculty Member of the School  of Law, represented the university in handing over the donated items. Mrs. Nuttanat Wongcharoen, Deputy Director of Umphang Hospital, accepted the donation. The items will be used at Umphang Hospital and distributed to other hospitals with limited budgets.