Royal Opening Ceremony of the iGeo 2025
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Presides Over the Opening Ceremony of the 21st International Geography Olympiad (iGeo 2025) in Thailand
On Sunday, 27 July 2025, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the Opening Ceremony of the 21st International Geography Olympiad (iGeo 2025), held at the Auditorium of Chulalongkorn University. This international event is organized in honor of Her Royal Highness’s 70th Birthday Anniversary.
Her Royal Highness was warmly welcomed by:
- Professor Emeritus Charas Suwanwela, M.D., Vice Chairperson of the Promotion of Academic Olympiad and Development of Science Education Foundation under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana (POSN)
- Professor Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Chairman of the University Council, Chulalongkorn University
- Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University
- Associate Professor Yenjai Somvichien, Treasurer and Executive Board Member of POSN
- Associate Professor Dr. Piniti Ratananukul, Secretary-General of POSN
- Associate Professor Dr. Suradech Chotiudompant, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University
- Associate Professor Phongsri Chanhow, Chair of the Local Organizing Committee
- Assistant Professor Dr. Chanita Duangyiwa, Head of the Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University
- Professor Su-Min Shen and Mr. Paul VanZant, Co-Chairs of the International Geography Olympiad (iGeo)
Upon Her Royal Highness’s arrival at the venue:
- Associate Professor Dr. Piniti Ratananukul presented the official program booklet
- Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat presented a commemorative gift
- Professor Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Professor Emeritus Charas Suwanwela and Professor Su-Min Shen delivered a report on the organization of iGeo 2025. The report noted that iGeo 2025 welcomes a total of 285 participants from 47 countries, comprising 179 student competitors, 88 mentors and team leaders, 8 observers, and 10 members of the international iGeo Task Force. Following the report, Her Royal Highness graciously gave the Royal Opening Address.
Her Royal Highness viewed two special video presentations prepared for this occasion. The first was an introductory video for iGeo 2025, which emphasized the importance of geography, the significance of hosting the Olympiad, and introduced this year’s theme, “Unity in Diversity,” reflecting the spirit of global cooperation and cultural understanding. The second was a royal tribute video, produced in celebration of Her Royal Highness’s 70th birthday anniversary. It highlighted Her Royal Highness’s instrumental role in promoting geography education in Thai schools, her initiative in establishing the national Geography Olympiad, and her enduring support for Thailand’s participation in the international competition.
Following the videos, Associate Professor Dr.Pannee Cheevinsiriwat, Secretary of the Local Organizing Committee, introduced student competitors and distinguished contributors, who were then honored with commemorative gifts presented under royal grace.
The cultural segment of the ceremony commenced with two traditional Thai performances presented in honor of Her Royal Highness. The first, Rabam Kridaphiniharn, was performed by the Thai Classical Dance Club of the Faculty of Arts. This graceful dance featured specially composed lyrics paying tribute to Her Royal Highness and offering blessings to all nations participating in the Olympiad. It was followed by a performance entitled Geography of the Chao Phraya River: A Lifeline of Time and Civilization, presented by the Chulalongkorn University Youth Thai Music Ensemble in collaboration with the Faculties of Fine and Applied Arts and Education. The piece portrayed the historical and cultural significance of the Chao Phraya River through traditional music and royal barge imagery, symbolizing the river’s enduring role in shaping Thai civilization under the Chakri Dynasty.
