The Cabinet approved to propose that Pah Khao Ma, traditional Thai chequered cloth be included in the UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Cultural Minister Itthipol Kunplome said the ministry would submit its proposal by March 31 to the UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Pah Khao Ma is expected to be considered in 2027.
The cloth with checkerboard pattern is versatile and used in daily life and rituals. It was listed as the National intangible cultural heritage in 2013.
Thailand has three UNESCO- recognized intangible cultural heritages – Khon masked dance drama, traditional Thai massage and Nora dance drama in southern Thailand, inscribed in 2018, 2019 and 2021 respectively.
It is expected that UNESCO will consider Songkran festival in its tentative list as an intangible cultural heritage item this year and Tom Yam Kung (spicy shrimp soup) in 2025. (TNA)
