Dr. Natthapoj Vincent Trakulphadetkrai (Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Reading and founder of MathsThroughStories.org), led a national implementation consultation workshop on his research-based Maths Through Stories approach in Thailand on 19 May 2026 at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok.
Co-hosted by Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Education, the workshop brought together 70 key Thai educational stakeholders, including early years, primary and secondary school teachers, teacher educators representing more than 10 teacher training university faculties, as well as curriculum developers and policymakers from several agencies under the Thailand Ministry of Education. These included the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST), which is responsible for developing Thailand’s mathematics curriculum, and the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), which works to reduce educational inequality and improve access to quality education for disadvantaged learners across the country, as well as Bangkok Primary Education Service Area Office, which is responsible for overseeing, administering, and managing public primary education and schools across the capital region. The event was also livestreamed, enabling more than 400 additional stakeholders from across Thailand to participate and follow the discussions in real time.
The workshop examined how Dr. Trakulphadetkrai’s research-informed ‘Maths Through Stories’ approach might be adopted more widely across schools in Thailand to strengthen mathematics teaching and support learning experiences that are more meaningful, engaging, and inclusive for students. The approach offers an innovative and low-cost way for students to deepen their mathematical understanding through the creation of short mathematical story picture books. Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in practical activities and collaborative discussions focused on possible implementation strategies, alongside factors that could either support or hinder successful implementation in schools.
To help demonstrate alignment between Dr. Trakulphadetkrai’s 'Maths Through Stories' approach and the educational priorities and policy agendas of international organisations, the workshop also featured virtual contribution from Dr. Úna McCarthy-Fakhry (UNESCO Headquarters, Paris) as well as Dr. Cassie Hague and Emma Linsenmayer (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD] Headquarters, Paris).
Following the workshop, Dr. Trakulphadetkrai was invited to meet with Dr. Kessara Amornvuthivorn (Director of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for STEM Education [SEAMEO STEM-ED]) at her office in Bangkok to discuss the alignment between the Maths Through Approach approach and the work of her Center.
Dr. Trakulphadetkrai wishes to extend his heartfelt thanks to the partner organisations that helped host the workshop (particularly Dr. Yotsawee Saifah [the Dean of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Education] and Dr. Waris Wongpipit [Assistant Dean]), as well as to the contributors from OECD and UNESCO, and to all participants whose enthusiasm and contributions played an important role in the success of the Thailand workshop. He also looks forward to continuing to support teachers, teacher educators, and policymakers in Thailand as they explore ways of adapting and implementing the Maths Through Stories approach within their own educational settings and professional contexts.
Funded by Research England’s Policy Support Fund, this Thailand event formed part of Dr. Trakulphadetkrai’s wider series of international workshops, designed to engage practitioners and policymakers in different parts of the world in exploring, adapting, and implementing his Maths Through Stories approach. The series follows his highly successful research-practice-policy workshops in the Maldives last year and in Malta earlier this year.
Highlights from the Opening and Closing Remarks
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Representing the British Ambassador in Thailand, Danny Whitehead (Director, British Council Thailand) noted that:
"[Maths Through Stories] is an incredible innovative approach that uses the power of narrative to help people learn mathematics better and help people to develop intercultural understanding, and that's one of the most powerful ways that there is to build those skills. I'd encourage all of you also to enter the Young Mathematical Story Authors competition, also organised by Dr. Vince. Congratulations again, have a wonderful workshop, and all the very best from the United Kingdom and from the British Council." |
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In her opening remarks, Dr. Kessara Amornvuthivorn (Director of the Regional Centre for STEM Education, Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization [SEAMEO STEM-ED]) commented that:
"Dr. Vincent is someone who is actively showing the world that there is a better way – a way where children can learn mathematics joyfully while anchoring what they learn in the classroom to meaningful contexts. [...] We all share the same vision: to elevate how children learn mathematics and even the Thai language beyond the current status quo. [...] What you are learning today is a methodology presented by Dr. Vincent where literacy, numeracy, and mathematics integrate seamlessly. Through this approach, children are no longer passive learners; they become active creators of knowledge, owners of their learning, and individuals who can practically apply what they know to stories they communicate to others." |
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In his closing remarks, Dr. Yotsawee Saifah (Dean of Faculty of Education, Chulalongkorn University) added that:
"As mathematics teachers in Thailand, we all know that our subject can often feel like bitter medicine for many students. Therefore, having strategies that can engage students and create meaningful changes in both the short and long term is extremely valuable. Personally, I believe that if this Maths Through Stories approach can be successfully implemented in classrooms, it could become an important starting point for positive changes in mathematics education in Thailand." |
Videos from the Workshop
(Courtesy of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Education)
Video of the 'Maths Through Stories' national implementation consultation workshop in Bangkok, Thailand
Opening remarks by Dr. Kessara Amornvuthivorn (Director of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for STEM Education [SEAMEO STEM-ED]).
English translation of the remarks can be found here.
English translation of the remarks can be found here.
Closing remarks by Dr. Yotsawee Saifah (Dean of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Education).
English translation of the remarks can be found here.
English translation of the remarks can be found here.
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Welcome remarks from Danny Whitehead (Country Director, British Council Thailand) - on behalf of the British Ambassador in Thailand |
Reflections from Dr. Natthapoj Vincent Trakulphadetkrai (Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Reading and founder of MathsThroughStories.org) |
Reflections from Dr. Kessara Amornvuthivorn (Director of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for STEM Education [SEAMEO STEM-ED]) |
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Reflections from Kittikorn Hongyim (Equitable Education Fund [EEF], Thailand Ministry of Education) |
Reflections from Dr. Phattharawadee Hadkaew (Interim Director for the Primary Mathematics Department of the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology [IPST], Thailand Ministry of Education) English translation of the reflections can be found here. |
Reflections from Dr. Trairat Iampan (Assistant Director of Bangkok Primary Education Service Area Office, Thailand Ministry of Education) English translation of the reflections can be found here. |
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Reflections from Dr. Panutsorn Jaruchainiwat (Lecturer at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Education, Thailand) English translation of the reflections can be found here. |
Reflections from Dr. Aungsiya Krataytong (Lecturer at Srinakharinwirot University's Faculty of Education, Thailand) English translation of the reflections can be found here. |
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Reflections from Sasiwimon Nakpradit (a secondary school Maths teacher at Assumption College) English translation of the reflections can be found here. |
Reflections from Kantawit Hawong (a primary school Maths teacher at Darakarm School) English translation of the reflections can be found here. |
Reflections from Nanfa Phuengphet (a primary school Maths teacher at Wat Chai Mong Kon School) English translation of the reflections can be found here. |
Photos from the Workshop
(Courtesy of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Education)
Click on the photos to enlarge them and to read captions
