Cardinal poses with Amphorn Sriyapai, dean of Kasetsart's Faculty of Sports and Health Science, who nominated him for his honorary doctorate. Sriyapai has also previously been a visiting scholar at OSU.
Brad Cardinal is a professor of kinesiology in Oregon State University’s College of Health, where his research focuses on the psychosocial and sociocultural aspects of health and physical activity. He has been traveling regularly to Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand, for the past two decades, and in fall 2024 was awarded an honorary doctorate by the university for his ongoing work advising students and collaborating with faculty there.
Where were you working?
Usually home base is in Bangkok, at or very near Kasetsart University. It’s its own little city in some ways; it is Thailand’s largest university and the third-oldest in the country.
“Kasetsart” means “agricultural science” in Thai — “kaset” and “sart,” respectively. OSU’s roots as an agricultural college bound our universities together, and many faculty at Kasetsart are OSU alumni.
What languages are spoken there?
Thai, and then a lot of people speak Chinese (Mandarin usually), and also English in the academic world.
What was the focus of your work?
My work has included many workshops, speaking engagements and panels over the years, along with lots of time spent advising faculty and graduate students on research design and presentation. Topics include exercise physiology, health science, public health and sport and exercise psychology, among others.
My relationship with Thailand started in 2001 when I met Supitr Samahito, who received her Ph.D. from OSU in 1983 and served as founding dean of the Faculty (College) of Sports and Health Science at Kasetsart. I met her while she was representing Thailand and I was representing the U.S. at the International Olympic Academy in Greece.
I’ve also given a lecture to the Thailand Olympic Academy and Olympic Committee about Olympic education happening in the U.S. Thai sport culture is very formal; they have a model that includes a nationwide constellation of higher education institutions, inclusive of a K-12 sport school system. I have worked with them in various capacities for approximately 15 years, too.
Cardinal poses with Thai colleagues, including a few OSU alumni. Supitr Samahito is next to him in the yellow shirt; she is the first woman to serve as a member of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand under royal patronage, an appointment she has held since 2001.
How much time have you spent there?
My first trip was in 2005 and my most recent trip was 2024; I’ve gone about every other year and usually stay 10-18 days each time. I also travel for work elsewhere in Southeast Asia and have hosted students, visiting scholars and visiting dignitaries from Thailand here in Corvallis.
What’s the best food you’ve eaten there?
My favorite food item is sticky rice with mango for dessert. What I really like is just the wide variety — I don’t always know what I’m eating; sometimes you just point to what you want.
Delicious Thai mango sticky rice.
What is the most non-touristy thing you’ve gotten to do?
The thing that was most unique was when they did the largest mass bicycle event to set a Guinness World Record in 2015. It was the “Bike for Mom” event, in part celebrating the 80th birthday of the queen of Thailand. I was the only American so there was a lot of press coverage. Nearly 300,000 people across Thailand participated; I did the section in Bangkok led by the crown prince.
On my first trip there, I met the prime minster of Thailand at his residence after I did a talk at the Thai Olympic Committee. And during my most recent trip, where I received my honorary doctorate, I went through their graduation ceremony where they read this whole script about me.
Cardinal participating in the world record-setting mass cycling event alongside Siriporn Sasimonthonkul, who received her Ph.D. from OSU and served as dean of Kasetsart's Faculty of Sports and Health Science.
What’s an important phrase you’ve learned to say in the local language?
One that fits well philosophically for Thailand is “Mai pen rai,” which means “It’s OK, doesn’t matter, go with the flow.” Also, “A-roi ma” for meals means "This is delicious.”
What’s one thing you’ll take home with you?
Go with the flow, and the philosophy that sometimes there’s really serious work to do, but the social component is also important. There’s a Thai word, “sanuk,” that’s not directly translatable but is like the idea that everything shouldn’t just be about work; life is no good if you don’t have pleasure.
What were you most surprised to learn?
The respect given to the royal family. It’s incredible to me, for example the love they have for the queen — the queen is not just the queen of her own biological children, but the mother of everyone in Thailand.
Besides family, what do you miss most from home?
That’s really hard; I try to be present when I’m there. But sometimes what I miss is a cold drink with ice cubes.
What advice would you give others who might travel there?
Be polite and courteous, and know that everybody’s doing the best they can. People in Thailand try not to show their temper at all, so even if you find something frustrating (e.g. traffic), be respectful and keep your emotions in check.
