Akarawuth Tamrareang is a web developer and open-source advocate from Thailand with over 35 years of experience in the software industry. He began his journey by building websites and soon became deeply involved with the Joomla community, which played a key role in shaping his career in open-source.
Joomla in Faces. Akarawuth Tamrareang (developer)
Joomla in Faces. Akarawuth Tamrareang (developer)
Published: 25 October 2025
Last modified: 25 October 2025
Akarawuth
Eugene
Akarawuth Tamrareang is a web developer and open-source advocate from Thailand with over 35 years of experience in the software industry. He began his journey by building websites and soon became deeply involved with the Joomla community, which played a key role in shaping his career in open-source. Today, Akarawuth serves as an Open Source Advisor, holds three Adobe Commerce and Shopify Developer certifications, and is passionate about helping businesses and communities harness the power of open technology. He is also the organizer of JoomlaDay Thailand and a volunteer contributor to the FLEXIcontent project.
1. Please tell us a few words about yourself
I’m a web developer and open-source advocate based in Thailand, with over 35 years of experience in the software industry. I started building websites with WordPress in 2007 and later became deeply involved with Joomla, which truly shaped my journey in the open-source world. I’m an Open Source Advisor, 3× Adobe Commerce Certified, and 3× Shopify Developer Certified, passionate about empowering businesses and communities through open technology.
2. Your first encounter with Joomla: how did it happen?
My first encounter actually began before Joomla itself — during the Mambo Open Source days. Around 2004, I discovered Mambo while exploring open-source CMS solutions and immediately saw its potential to empower local businesses and developers in Thailand. That same year, I organized the first Mambo Club Meeting in Thailand, bringing together early enthusiasts to share ideas and experiences about open-source web development.
When Joomla emerged as a continuation of Mambo, I naturally followed its evolution and became actively involved in building the community. In 2007, I organized the very first JoomlaDay Bangkok, which became the starting point for connecting Thai web developers, designers, and educators through knowledge sharing and collaboration. That experience sparked a long-term passion for nurturing Thailand’s Joomla community and promoting the open-source spirit across Southeast Asia.
3. Have you worked with other Content Management Systems besides Joomla?
Yes, I’ve worked extensively with WordPress, Magento (Adobe Commerce), and Shopify. Each platform has its own strengths, but Joomla’s community-driven nature and flexibility make it stand out. It’s a system built by and for people who truly care about open-source freedom.
4. Do you contribute to the Joomla community?
Absolutely. I’ve contributed in various ways — from organizing JoomlaDay Thailand events to supporting local translation and community awareness projects. I was also part of the Open Source Matters Summit in San Jose in 2011 and have collaborated with international contributors like the FLEXIcontent team. These experiences have helped connect Thailand’s Joomla community to the global ecosystem.
5. Why do you do this / what motivates you / what do you get out of it?
My biggest motivation is the spirit of sharing — the open-source principle that knowledge grows when it’s shared. Joomla gave me opportunities to learn, collaborate, and connect with people around the world. Contributing back feels like a natural way to say “thank you” to the community that helped me grow.
6. Joomla in Thailand. Could you introduce your community, please?
The Thai Joomla community is small but passionate. We started with JoomlaDay Thailand in the early 2010s, creating a space for web developers, designers, and educators to meet, share, and inspire each other. Over the years, we’ve built strong friendships across open-source circles, and even though trends come and go, the Joomla spirit here remains active and welcoming.
On photo: Akarawuth Tamrareang
7. Can you share your experience from both sides of events? What is it like to be both a co-organizer and a speaker at a JoomlaDay?
It’s both exciting and challenging! As an organizer, you focus on creating value for attendees — finding great topics, inviting speakers, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. As a speaker, you share your experiences and connect with people who face the same challenges. Seeing attendees leave with new ideas and motivation makes all the hard work worth it.
8. How popular is FLEXIcontent in the Thai community, and how would you describe your experience participating in the project?
FLEXIcontent has been one of the most impressive extensions in the Joomla ecosystem. It helped many Thai developers build complex content structures without writing too much code. My involvement in the project gave me a deep appreciation for the dedication of open-source developers — it’s community-driven innovation at its best.
9. Are there any plans to open training courses or online schools in Thailand for those who want to learn Joomla?
We’ve discussed it several times in the community. The idea is to bring Joomla education to the next generation — possibly through online workshops or local tech meetups. While formal courses are not active yet, I’m hopeful that renewed interest in open-source tools will help us restart training initiatives in Thailand soon.
10. What key advantages of Joomla would you highlight?
Joomla offers an excellent balance between simplicity and scalability. Its strong user management, multilingual support, and flexibility through extensions make it ideal for both small businesses and large organizations. And most importantly, it’s community-driven — you’re never alone when you work with Joomla.
11. What do you think needs to be improved in Joomla’s infrastructure to make it even better?
I believe Joomla should continue simplifying onboarding for new users and developers. The system is powerful, but sometimes new adopters feel overwhelmed. Better documentation, modernized UX, and tighter integration with popular APIs and frameworks would help Joomla attract a new wave of creators.
12. What key advantages of Joomla would you highlight?
It’s an incredible achievement — two decades of open collaboration, innovation, and community spirit. Joomla has inspired countless people around the world to build, share, and create freely. Personally, I’m proud to have been part of its journey since the early Mambo days, and I believe Joomla still has a bright future — especially if it continues to embrace new technologies while staying true to its open-source roots.
“I’m proud to have been part of its journey since the early Mambo days, and I believe Joomla still has a bright future”
