"PIXIE BOX" - An AI Innovation by Engineering Students to Elevate Access to Thai Performing Arts
Another source of pride as Team Siam Pose, students from the School of Engineering, advanced to the final 38 teams out of 54 teams nationwide in the Learn Lab 2025: Soft Power Beyond AI project with their work "PIXIE BOX" - a photo booth system that uses AI to transform you into traditional Thai Likay costumes in real-time. The team drew inspiration from the royal words of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, who told Chaiya Mitchai, "Don't abandon Likay," inspiring the team to revive Thai arts and encourage the new generation to proudly share Thai culture with the world.
Team Siam Pose Members:
- Miss Chanunya Sutti - Artificial Intelligence Engineering and Data Science
- Mr. Natthanarong Tiangjit - Artificial Intelligence Engineering and Data Science
- Mr. Joannes paulus macarayan Ople - Artificial Intelligence Engineering and Data Science
- Mr. Panupong Sangkatin - Computer and Robotics Engineering
- Mr. Nuttapong Talee - Computer and Robotics Engineering
The Beginning: PIXIE BOX Meets Thai Likay
This project originated from the team's inspiration after seeing Her Majesty the Queen Mother's royal advice saying "Don't abandon Likay." This made the team question: "Why isn't Thai culture like Likay as well-known as Japan's Kabuki or Korea's Pansori?" Conversely, Thai Likay hasn't received the attention it deserves. "From the data we collected, we found that approximately 85% of Thais overlook Likay, and youth rarely access this performing art," one team member explained. "So we thought, if we combine these two things—photobooths that are becoming boring and Likay that's being overlooked—and use AI to push it forward, it could create more interest and reach a wider market."
Innovation Beyond an Ordinary Photobooth
PIXIE BOX isn't just a photo system that changes clothes into Likay costumes—it also includes a game using Pose Estimation technology that captures body movements. Players must perform dance poses matching the template. The more accurate the performance, the higher the score. "It's not just taking commemorative photos, but users get video clips they can post on TikTok or other social media platforms. This indirectly helps players learn Thai culture without realizing it, because the various poses they perform are authentic Thai dance movements."
Interestingly, team members want to expand this concept to other regional performing arts, such as Manora in the South or folk performances in the North.
Journey to the Final 38 Teams
The competition consisted of several rounds, starting with submitting a Pitch Deck in the first round, which had over 54 applicant teams. Teams that advanced then participated in a 2-day workshop. "In the workshop, we gained knowledge about brainstorming, designing Business Model Canvas, market entry strategies, and had winners from the previous season teach us about prototype design, plus AI experts who taught us about AI integration in various fields. After the workshop, teams had to submit a final Pitch Deck and enter the One Page Summary presentation round with only 1 minute—which was a huge challenge."
Lessons and Experiences Gained
For many team members, this was their first time competing at the national level. “I learned about time management, brainstorming, and connecting dots on things we did before but didn’t know what they were called. Working with this group taught me a lot.” Another member added, “I’ve always been into technology, but this competition taught me research methods, data collection, and better understanding of business planning—not just knowing about AI alone.”
A team member who has competed many times concluded: “Working with this team helped me understand why I didn’t win many times before. It’s one step toward success and it gives me more inspiration for future competitions.”
More Than an Ordinary Photobooth in the Future
Team members are confident that with funding support, PIXIE BOX could develop into a real business. "The system is functional now, we just lack the capital to create an actual booth or studio. We can adapt the concept by region—Manora in the South, folk performances in the North. The project's main purpose is to break the mindset that 'being Thai is embarrassing.' Some people are ashamed to display their Thai identity but not ashamed to play games. People nowadays use Instagram and post Stories frequently, but don't dare post about Thai culture as much as they should. If this photobooth becomes reality, it might make Thai people more confident in showcasing Thai culture." Another member added, "It's something that can easily go viral. It might not last long, but it can create continuous momentum. Everyone who takes photobooth pictures takes a photo in front of the booth first, and after finishing, they take another photo—that's double the publicity."
The PIXIE BOX project demonstrates not only the potential of using AI technology to preserve and promote Thai culture, but also serves as an excellent example of teamwork, bold thinking, and the integration of Thai wisdom with modern technology to truly create Soft Power for Thailand.
