Lifelong Learning Payap is under the Office of International Affairs, Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Payap University was established as Payap College in 1974, and ten years later it was elevated by the Thai Ministry of Education as Payap University. The university celebrated its 50th anniversary on February 16, 2024.
Over the past 35 years, Payap has offered a variety of international degrees (both undergraduate and graduate) and numerous international study-abroad programs. For several decades, the Office of International Affairs coordinated all programs in Thailand for the U.S.A.-based Road Scholar (then Elderhostel) program, the School for International Training (SIT), the International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership, and Lexia Study Abroad Institute. Payap’s commitment to international education and community outreach continues through its newly established Lifelong Learning Payap program.
* Pictured above, back row, left to right, our Administrative Committee members: Rebecca Weldon, Winifred Tan, Martha Butt, Christine Tananone, and Colleen Graham. Front: Lifelong Learning Payap Program Manager Num Aye.
ENRICH YOUR LIFE!
Lifelong Learning Payap’s mission is to enable personal growth and cultural understanding by offering high-quality, affordable educational opportunities in English that are accessible to everyone.
INTRODUCING THE
ADMIN COMMITTEE
The five members of our volunteer Administrative Committee are all local expats, most of whom have resided in Chiang Mai and/or Thailand for over 30 years. We have worked in schools, universities, museums, development organizations, and tourism. We want to continue to learn, to share our knowledge and experience with you, and enhance your personal and social inclusion in our Chiang Mai community.
INTRODUCING THE LLL PAYAP STAFF
Left to right: Yaowapa Chueakhamlue (Taew), Ja Sawm (Num Aye), and Bantarawan Chantra (Tuu)
Ja Sawm (Num Aye)- Program Manager
I have worked for Lifelong Learning Payap for almost 2 years. I enjoy meeting new people and learning new things from our excursions and events. I love working with our supportive committee team and staff in the office. Previously I was the head of We Women Foundation, Myanmar, which supports women who want to continue their higher education and become a leader in their community.
Bantarawan Chantra (Tuu) – Assistant to the Program Manager
I am from Chiang Maii, and am an MBA graduate from Payap University. I worked in business then transitioned to NGO work supporting international and domestic students in the Mekong Sub-Region. I have been working part time as Assistant Program Manager of Lifelong Learning since December, 2023. I enjoy interacting with people from many countries to provide high quality educational opportunities.
Yaowapa Chueakhamlue (Taew) – Secretary
I come from Phayao Province, but moved to Chiang Mai when I was 12 years old. I graduated from Payap University with a major in Hotel and Tourism Management. I worked at Payap for five years. Currently I am a secretary at Lifelong Learning. It’s a great opportunity to learn languages and meet people from different countries.
Left to right: Yaowapa Chueakhamlue (Taew), Ja Sawm (Num Aye), and Bantarawan Chantra (Tuu)
INTRODUCING THE LLL PAYAP STAFF
Ja Sawm (Num Aye)- Program Manager
I have worked for Lifelong Learning Payap for almost 2 years. I enjoy meeting new people and learning new things from our excursions and events. I love working with our supportive committee team and staff in the office. Previously I was the head of We Women Foundation, Myanmar, which supports women who want to continue their higher education and become a leader in their community.
Bantarawan Chantra (Tuu) – Assistant to the Program Manager
I am from Chiang Maii, and am an MBA graduate from Payap University. I worked in business then transitioned to NGO work supporting international and domestic students in the Mekong Sub-Region. I have been working part time as Assistant Program Manager of Lifelong Learning since December, 2023. I enjoy interacting with people from many countries to provide high quality educational opportunities.
Yaowapa Chueakhamlue (Taew) – Secretary
I come from Phayao Province, but moved to Chiang Mai when I was 12 years old. I graduated from Payap University with a major in Hotel and Tourism Management. I worked at Payap for five years. Currently I am a secretary at Lifelong Learning. It’s a great opportunity to learn languages and meet people from different countries.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Lifelong Learning Payap is founded on the belief that people of all ages have the capacity to learn, discover, and explore. We believe that learning in a multicultural community stimulates discussion, deepens understanding, builds friendships, and enhances quality of life.
WHAT WE OFFER
Since our program began in 2017, we have offered over 190 academic non-credit short courses, lectures, and faculty led study excursions enrolling over 2,000 registrants. While our emphasis has been on Thai (especially northern Thai) history and culture, we have also offered courses in wellness; arts and humanities; music; science; technology; religion and philosophy; and the environment. Our instructors are primarily current and retired educators and professionals living in Chiang Mai, although we have also offered lectures on Zoom by those residing in Bangkok or overseas. Our participants come primarily from English speaking countries, but post COVID, increasing numbers of non-native English speakers from Europe, Israel, South America and Asia have been attending as well.
WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE
Participants regularly tell us that Lifelong Learning Payap is different from other programs for the following reasons:
- “The quality of people and programs is high”
- “Presenters have deep knowledge of their subject and have good English”
- “I see places I never would have been to on my own”
- “I love the conversations and interaction with other participants”
We have also been told that our program is unique to the expat community as it fosters understanding and appreciation of the Thai people, history and culture. Through our offerings, our participants support local museums, craftspeople, galleries, temples and other religious places of worship. Moreover, our participants’ curiosity about Thai history and culture have engendered pride among the Thai professors who teach these courses. Our program offers a unique opportunity to promote friendship and understanding at a time when many societies are plagued by polarization.