BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated that Thailand is striving to raise awareness of the importance of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) at the local, national, and international levels, and is ready to work with all countries in safeguarding ICH for inclusive and sustainable development in the economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
The Prime Minister on 4 December 2024 delivered recorded remarks expressing her gratitude to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for inscribing “Tomyum Kung” on the Representative List of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, under the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage or the 2003 UNESCO Convention.
The inscription was made on 3 December at the 19th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Asunción, Republic of Paraguay.
It marks another proud moment for Thailand and will significantly enhance the international recognition of the values and importance of Tomyum Kung as a prime example of the culinary wisdom of the riverside communities in the central plains of Thailand, a fertile region that has served as the nation’s primary food production area for centuries. It embodies a food culture rooted in observing and learning from nature, reflecting a way of life that is simple, self-sufficient, and deeply connected to nature, while offering numerous health benefits.
The Prime Minister also took this opportunity to invite everyone to embark on the delectable and savory journey by trying Tomyum Kung at Thai restaurants worldwide or by searching for recipes online to cook it themselves.
A world-renowned dish and a testament to Thailand’s cultural heritage and soft power, Tomyum Kung is also famous as street food, and the Government believes that its recognition as intangible heritage would add more value to other made-in-Thailand products as well.
To date, Thailand has five elements inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: Khon Masked Dance Drama (2018); Nuad Thai (2019); Nora, Dance Drama (2021); Songkran in Thailand, the traditional Thai New Year festival (2023); and Tomyum Kung (2024). (PRD)
