A Taste of Thai Soft Power: Walailak University’s School of Management and CIA Host Thai Cooking Class for JCU Australia Students
Walailak University, June 22, 2026 – A vibrant and warm atmosphere filled the standard culinary laboratory at Walailak University during a special Thai Cooking Class workshop. The event was organized to welcome a delegation of students and staff from James Cook University (JCU), Australia, on their cultural exchange visit to Thailand.
The special workshop was initiated through a collaborative effort by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Patnarin Supakorn, Acting Director of the Center for International Affairs (CIA), who coordinated with the School of Management to establish this cultural and culinary showcase aimed at promoting Thai food as a global Soft Power. On this special occasion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pimlapas Pongsakornrungsilp, Dean of the School of Management, personally attended the event to warmly welcome the Australian visitors, engaging in friendly conversations and offering encouragement to the students throughout the session.
The class was masterfully conducted by Ajarn Pavit Tansakul, Chairman of the Professional Culinary Arts (ProChef) Program at the School of Management. Ajarn Pavit guided the JCU students through an immersive culinary journey, starting from the introduction of unique Thai ingredients, herbs, and spices, to traditional cooking techniques and heat control. The highlights of the day were Thailand’s iconic dishes—”Pad Thai” and “Tom Yum”—which the JCU students enthusiastically cooked, seasoned, and tasted by themselves.
The entire event was filled with smiles, laughter, and meaningful cultural exchanges between the two universities. The workshop concluded with a shared meal and enthusiastic “Thumbs up” from the JCU students, highlighting the true success of utilizing Thai cuisine as an international bridge to forge lasting global friendships.
Report by School of Mangement, Walailak University (June, 2026)
