Thailand is set to propose the annual Loy Krathong festival and Muay Thai for inclusion in UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list. Department of Cultural Promotion Director-General Kowit Phakamas announced that the preparation of data and registration documents for these cultural elements is about 70% complete.
The proposal is expected to receive Cabinet approval by March next year. However, UNESCO’s consideration process for such proposals typically spans 3-5 years. Loy Krathong, a widely celebrated festival in Thailand, occurs on the full moon of the 12th lunar month. It features the releasing of lotus-shaped rafts, known as “krathong”, onto water bodies as a tribute to the Buddha and the water goddess, accompanied by fireworks and traditional dance performances.
For the Loy Krathong submission, the Cultural Promotion Department has been collaborating with the Institute of Thai Studies at Chulalongkorn University to gather information from eight key provinces. The submission to UNESCO will include photos and videos from this year’s celebrations, scheduled for November 27-28.
The department’s next steps include the selection of photos and videos, organizing academic data, and translation into the languages required by UNESCO. Thailand currently has four other cultural elements under UNESCO’s consideration, including the traditional Khon mask dance, Thai massage, folk dance drama Nora, and the Songkran festival. The announcement of the intangible cultural heritage list is expected on December 7 at a meeting in Botswana. (NNT)
