Evolution of Art Therapy in Thailand

Abstract

It was noted that there have been publications on art therapy in Thailand since 1986.1 Most of the credit for this is rightly bestowed on Burapha University, especially the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, as the initiator in this particular science for Thailand, as historically recorded in the article, the “Birth of Art Therapy at Burapha University.”2,3 The “Introductory Course on Art Therapy” meeting in March 2006 was unquestionably a milestone of the “Art Therapy Movement” in Thailand. The meeting was graciously presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Ubol Ratana. Such high-level recognition in tandem with the impact of outstanding Thai and international art therapy specialists have certainly aroused interest among Thai scholars in this field. Details of the
event may be found in the Program and Abstracts Book of the meeting4. As is the Thai habit, activities tend to quickly wane in popularity after a performance. It was fortunate however that the Faculty of Public Health and the Faculty of Nursing decided to establish art therapy in Burapha University. With their energetic fast-working team, the Faculty of Nursing made a rapid start for the project of art therapy for the University, and succeeded in establishing the Asia-Pacific Art Therapy Center in Burapha University, supported by the University Administration and the US Advisory Board Committee, comprising specialists from New York University, Emporia State University, Adler School of Professional Psychology, and Chartaids. The author was among the leaders driving this success. Of note, the author is apparently the person who uninterruptedly carried on art therapy work since the initial inspiration by the Lantern of East-Los Angeles, an organization in the United States that used art therapy for victims of the 2004 tsunami disaster. The author has kept on corresponding intimately with overseas art therapists. Up to this point, there have been a series of published articles,5-7 including translated and edited articles from an outstanding
American book,8-17 and a couple of concise research articles.18-19