BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Culture is working to nominate Thailand’s Songkran Festival as an intangible cultural heritage, in an attempt to make Songkran a world-class festival.

 

The Department of Cultural Promotion (DCP) under the Ministry of Culture said it is working to secure the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) status for Thailand’s Songkran festival from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

 

DCP Director General Kowit Pakamart said the motion to consider such a nomination was already approved at an ordinary session of the General Assembly in 2022, with the final decision to be made this year by a selection committee of 12 member states.

 

If approved, the ICH status will need to be endorsed by 24 countries in an ordinary session of the General Assembly in late 2024, following a full review by the committee.

 

The DCP chief said Thailand is confident its Songkran Festival will be able to gain the ICH status, given that it is an ancient festival that has not been overly commercialized, has a minimal environmental impact, reflects the country’s unique cultural identity, and strengthens the value of family.

 

Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230103111658603

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-03

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Whats the point? I don't get it. Especially as it morphed from its tradition.

The real version or the basterdised version as seen in Pattaya etc.?

24 minutes ago, MRToMRT said:

Whats the point? I don't get it. Especially as it morphed from its tradition.

Indeed.

Too many don't get it.

“given that it is an ancient festival that has not been overly commercialized, has a minimal environmental impact, ”

Hahaha! It’s nothing to do with the ancient festival; it’s a money making and dangerous waste of water. Ice in buckets of water thrown in the face of motor cyclists has nothing to do with Songkran!!

Cancel it!

47 minutes ago, Salerno said:

The real version or the basterdised version as seen in Pattaya etc.?

The basterdized version it would appears draws in billions of tourists and gazzilions in money.....

24 minutes ago, Changoverandout said:

“given that it is an ancient festival that has not been overly commercialized, has a minimal environmental impact, ”

Hahaha! It’s nothing to do with the ancient festival; it’s a money making and dangerous waste of water. Ice in buckets of water thrown in the face of motor cyclists has nothing to do with Songkran!!

Cancel it!

Nailed it...good succinct write up.

3 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

The basterdized version it would appears draws in billions of tourists and gazzilions in money.....

Surely not  I mean, that would suggest the quote in the article "given that it is an ancient festival that has not been overly commercialized" would be a bit of a porky!

 

Given the international readership on here:

What does Porky mean?

(ˈpɔːkɪ ) nounWord forms: plural porkies. mainly British and Australian slang. a lie. Also called: pork pie.

1 hour ago, MRToMRT said:

Whats the point? I don't get it. Especially as it morphed from its tradition.

I don't believe it has changed at all in the 42 years since I first went to one in CM.

 

 

I think with traditional Songkran this would be a good idea.

 

However, with the new version, the wasting of water, the carnage on the roads, dirty water being thrown aggressively, drunken behaviour etc. I don't think it would really work.

 

I suspect it will mostly be banned this year again anyway. Especially if the Chinese cause another wave by releasing their infected on Thailand as expected.

The tradition before or after Covid?? With so many restrictions last year it is not worth  to be a

culture heritage...

"given that it is an ancient festival that has not been overly commercialized, has a minimal environmental impact, reflects the country’s unique cultural identity," 

 

Especially in the red light districts of Pattaya where bars make a lot of money during this time. About 10 days of completely insane behavior where any drunk idiot can pour water on you. And oftentimes accompanied by incredible noise. This is a real cultural highlight. It attracts many quality tourists every year. 

14 hours ago, MRToMRT said:

Whats the point? I don't get it. Especially as it morphed from its tradition.

Just to agitate Cambodia. 

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Ministry of Culture is working to nominate Thailand’s Songkran Festival as an intangible cultural heritage, in an attempt to make Songkran a world-class festival.

To achieve the cultural heritage tag it must be celebrated as it was in the past...

not the free-for-all street party it is now.

9 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

To achieve the cultural heritage tag it must be celebrated as it was in the past...

not the free-for-all street party it is now.

True.

Yet, there are not many left that recall the Songkran traditions.