Phongsathorn Buakhampan
Research Assistant
Geographic area
Southeast Asia, Laos, Thailand
Fields of study
Archival science, Epigraphy, Ethnology, History of religions, Linguistics, Paleography, Philology
Phongsathorn Buakhampan
Research Assistant
Geographic area
Southeast Asia, Laos, Thailand
Fields of study
Archival science, Epigraphy, Ethnology, History of religions, Linguistics, Paleography, Philology
Research themes / topics
Paleography, epigraphy and Tai-Lao manuscript studies (historical inscriptions, conservation of palm-leaf manuscripts)
Buddhist studies and intangible cultural heritage (traditional tattooing rituals in Southeast Asia)
Research in progress
Phongsathorn Buakhampan contributes to the maintenance and development of the Lanna Manuscripts Database, initiated by François Lagirarde. He is a researcher in epigraphy and ancient manuscripts in Laos with the EFEO Vientiane Centre, under the direction of Michel Lorrillard, and takes part in “The Fang River Basin Epigraphic and Archaeological Research Project” in Chiang Mai (Thailand), in collaboration with EFEO, the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre (SAC), Chiang Mai University and Buranawipat Ltd. He is a research collaborator in the Endangered Archives Project (EAP1666), directed by Gregory Kourilsky, surveying legal manuscripts in Northern Thailand. He also contributes to the design and development of the permanent exhibition devoted to the Buddhist manuscript library, as part of the restoration and conservation project of Wat Muang Kang in Champasak, Laos (CHAMPA project, coordinated by Christophe Pottier), and is an associate researcher on the ANR-funded DEEPFOREST project, directed by Christophe Pottier (2025-2028, AAPG25 ANR-25-CE56-6071). Since 2025, he has also been a PhD candidate in Epigraphy at Silpakorn University, where he is preparing a thesis on the inscriptions of Lan Xang.
Studies and training
2025–present, PhD candidate in Epigraphy, Department of Thai and Oriental Languages, Faculty of Archaeology, Silpakorn University
2012–2016, Master of Arts (Epigraphic Studies), Department of Oriental Languages, Faculty of Archaeology, Silpakorn University
2002–2006, Bachelor of Arts (Cultural Studies – History, Art and Archaeology), Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University
Professional history in EFEO
2010-2015: Research assistant, EFEO, Bangkok Centre
2018–2020: Research assistant, EFEO, Chiang Mai Centre and Fragile Palm Leaves Foundation
Since 2021: Research assistant, EFEO, Chiang Mai Centre
Since 2025: Associate researcher, ANR DEEPFOREST project (dir. Christophe Pottier)
Professional history
2006–2007: Cultural project officer, Cher Green Ltd., Lamphun
2015–2018: Research assistant / epigraphy specialist (digitisation of Burmese and Tai Yai manuscripts, Anatole-Roger Peltier collection; Inscriptions in Thailand Database project, SAC)
2024–2025: Lead epigraphist and field researcher, “The Fang River Basin Epigraphic and Archaeological Research Project” (collaboration between EFEO, SAC, Chiang Mai University, Buranawipat Ltd., and Wat Som Suk)