Flowers at the Border: The Origin and Growth of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, in Its Half-Century Journey, Part I – Historical Context, Vision, and Contradictions

Abstract

The article “Flowers at the Border: The Origin and Growth of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, in Its Half-Century Journey, Part I: Historical Context, Vision, and Contradictions” presents a historical account of the establishment and development of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Pattani Campus over the past fifty years. It explores the interplay between Thailand’s national higher education policy, the regional expansion of universities, and the socio-cultural dynamics of the southern border provinces that shaped the faculty’s evolution. The work reflects the vision embodied in the metaphor “flowers at the border,” representing intellectual and cultural flourishing within a diverse frontier society. Drawing upon archival sources and contemporary narratives, the study reconstructs the early history of the faculty and interprets its role as a cornerstone for advancing humanities and social sciences in southern Thailand.