The Paccaya Foundation believes that Buddhism is at the core of our collective Thai culture, but that too often a veneer of rituals continues to be performed even while the wisdom essence of the Dhamma is being lost. 

Taking inspiration from the innovative ways in which Dhamma is taught in contemporary societies around the world, the Paccaya Foundation aspires to engage Thai youth in the source of their culture using transformative communication methods that maintain the authenticity of the dhamma, while emphasizing Buddhism’s continued compatibility with our modern world.

Present the Dhamma in ways that resonate practically with our Thai youth in their daily lives, through the use of multimedia tools such as contemporary media outlets, photographs, films, and blogs.

Demonstrate how the essence of Dhamma continues to be of relevance in our modern world by encouraging and emphasizing engagement in contemplative and meditative activities as a means to experience the practical benefits of Buddhism. 

Highlight common ground amongst various Buddhist traditions and communities and improve global understanding of the authentic Thai Dhamma tradition.

Ajahn Paisal Visalo

A former social activist, Ajahn Paisal is widely respected in Thailand as an academically-oriented and open-minded thinker, lecturer, writer and monastic practitioner of Buddhism. 

Ajahn Paisal holds a Bachelor Degree in History from Thammasat University (Bangkok), where he was Editor of Pajarayasarn Magazine; an officer of the group, ‘Buddhist Work for Society;’ and a participant in an ahimsa movement during the October 6, 1976 Massacre—a watershed in the development of democracy in Thailand. 

Ordained in 1983 at Thong Noppakun Temple, Ajahn Paisal studied meditation with Teean Jittasubho Bhikkhu before moving to study with Khamkhian Suvanno Bhikkhu at the Sukato Forest Monastery, where Ajahn Paisal currently holds the position of Abbot.

Ajahn Paisal’s open-minded Dhamma-based thoughts have found appeal amongst the younger generations, while his encouragement of spiritual preparation for a peaceful passing has earned him the respect of many others. His interest in integrating Buddhist principles with societal development role is widely acknowledged to have helped advance morality and social development in the country.

In addition to regularly holding meditation and moral development retreats, Ajahn Paisal is also the Chairman of Buddhika Network; Director of Komol Khemthong Foundation; Director of Thai Holistic Health Foundation; Director of Peace Way Foundation; Director of Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies; and Director of Arsom Silp Institute of the Arts. He was formerly a Director of Thailand’s National Reconciliation Commission.

Veerathai Santiprabhob, PhD.

An experienced economist, financier, and banker whose distinguished career has taken him through government and private sectors as well as intergovernmental organisations, Veerathai Governor of the Bank of Thailand, and an important driver of the Thai economy. 

Cited as one of the 50 next-generation bankers in the Asia Pacific region by The Asian Banker magazine, Veerathai started his career as an Economist at the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C., and returned to Thailand during the 1997 Asian financial crisis to become a Co-Director of the Fiscal Policy Research Institute (Fiscal Policy Office). Veerathai has since served as an Executive at the Siam Commercial Bank and Stock Exchange of Thailand; and as the Chairman, Director, and/or Advisor to numerous organisations, such as the Anandamahidol Foundation, Mae Fah Luang Foundation, and the Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives; as well as serving as a columnist for the Krungthep Turakij newspaper. He is a member of the Oversight Committee of the World Health Organisation, and has also written a number of influential books on economic policy. 

A recipient of the King’s Scholarship and Anandamahidol Foundation Scholarship, Veerathai holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics from Thammasat University (Bangkok); and a Masters and PhD in Economics from Harvard University (US). 

Away from his many professional responsibilities, Veerathai is a regular meditator, an appreciator of the arts and sees beauty in simple ways of life close to nature.

Kamin Lertchaiprasert 

A contemporary artist based in Chiang Mai, Kamin believes that art—as a medium of communication—is one of the more powerful languages through which one is able to express and understand the meaning of life and the explanation of the truth. 

Kamin’s own work is a contemporary interpretation of Buddhism and draws heavily on his contemplations of impermanence, of truth, and of the value of life: They are driven by his vipassana meditation practice, and are recognized as continually pushing the perceptions of Buddhist art.

A firm believer in the inextricability of art and the meaning of life, his participation at the Stimulating Cities with Art seminar at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (Japan), inspired him to further opportunities for artistic collaborations nearer to home, and Kamin founded the 31st Century Museum of Contemporary Spirit (Chiang Mai), whose flexible exhibition space transforms according to the spirit of each exhibition. Kamin also co-founded The Land Foundation in Chiang Mai as an initiative to transform the region’s ubiquitous rice paddies into destinations for local art and architecture projects.

A graduate of the Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts at Silpakorn University, (Bangkok), Kamin also studied at the Art Students League of New York. 

Today, Kamin continues to create art and hold exhibitions both in Thailand and abroad.

ML Abhawadee Devakula 

With 20-years’ experience in international finance and private real estate investment, Abhawadee views society from a unique vantage point: She is acutely aware of the imminent economic and social issues that face us, and yet believes that the wisdom of the dhamma will be a mitigating factor in their effect on us. 

After an encounter with forest monks and then during her years in England, Abhawadee saw the value placed on Buddhism abroad, and questioned the efficacy of opportunities available to Thais for the study of their own cultural and spiritual heritage. Seeing life as a journey of learning, and recognising that Buddhism’s wisdom is worthy of preservation, Abhawadee studied the Tripitaka at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (Thailand), and continues to study Dhamma together with HM King Bhumibol’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, with the intention of helping to integrate Dhamma into modern Thai society. 

Nophol Techaphangam 

Alarmed and disturbed by social disparity and inequality, Nophol has strived to build social change capacity among those at the top of the pyramid and place upon them the onus to effect positive changes on the world around them.

Nophol has a demonstrated interest in social development as evidenced through his role as a Director of the Thai Young Philanthropist Network (TYPN); as the Founder and Co-Director of NEXUS Thailand—a subsidiary of NEXUS, a network that brings together over 3,500 young wealth holders, social entrepreneurs, philanthropists and change makers focused on strategic philanthropy, inclusive business, and social entrepreneurship; and as Director of SPB Group (his family business). Nophol has also founded startups in both Thailand and China. 

A holder of a Post Graduate Diploma in Economics from the University of Cambridge and a BSc (Hons) in Physics with Theoretical Physics from the University of Manchester, Nophol has been a recipient of the Cambridge-Thai Foundation Scholarship; and has also received the Model Business Person of the Year Award (2012) from the Foundation of Science and Technology Council of Thailand in the Household and Office Goods Sector.

Kuhn Sucharitakul
founder

Armed with a master’s degree in Contemplative Education from the Buddhist-inspired Naropa University (US), Kuhn believes that Buddhism—far from being an archaic religion—is a multi-dimensional deposition of wisdom, knowledge, and cultural and spiritual capital. If the authenticity of its essence can be captured, and if one’s view can remain vast and open, Kuhn believes that innovative communication methods can unlock this capital, and transform the ways in which the next generation engages with the Dhamma. 

Taking inspiration from his own experience in the Thai forest tradition—as well as from his time spent living in Europe, the US, and China—Kuhn, and his friends, founded the Paccaya Foundation, with the aspiration that the Buddhadhamma be made easily accessible, addictively engaging, and of endless benefit to all.

Pakorn Musikboonlert
Co-founder / Producer and Composer

A self-taught music composer, who studied Recording Arts and Entertainment Business from Fullsail University (US), Pakorn sensed that his journey through the music world—however successful—would never satisfy the desire to lead a more meaningful life. 

And so, with an emphasis on transferable skills, Pakorn switched frequency: from the rock-and-roll emotions of the entertainment industry to the quiet rhythm of the Dhamma. He now uses meditative experiences to inspire his compositions, and imbues his music with the responsibility of spreading the words of the Dhamma.

Jirasak Praisankul
Co-founder / Visual Artist and Filmmaker

With a natural talent for storytelling, and a creatively empathetic eye, Jirasak hasworking experience in TV, film, and photography. After many years spent consumed by questioning the difference between simple existence and meaningful living, Jirasak’s discovery of the profound essence of the dhamma together with his interest in Buddhist art eventually led him to become a practitioner. 

Jirasak has a deep understanding of media’s potential to affect societal change, and continually strives to channel his creative pursuits into something novel that might redirect our society onto a better, more meaningful, course.

Ananya Narutee
Dhamma Media Manager

With a strong background in Art History and Archaeology, Ananya’s reflections on the past have helped form her belief that an understanding of Dhamma is fundamental to a continued humanity. Coupled with her experience in media, Ananya has dedicated her life innovatively spreading the words of Dhamma. 

Her effort is strengthened by her own contemplative journey and meditative explorations that include the study of the Dhamma teachings, as a means to understand the essence of Buddhadhamma. 

Somchai Soontornyat
Foundation Facilitator

With over 11 years in the monkhood, as well as with a degree in Political Science, Somchai’s career has spanned both the private and public sectors, and given him experience in a very practical combination of everything from strengthening learning processes, collective leadership development, and knowledge management to non-violent communication, conflict resolution and management, and vipassana meditation.