Thai Culture Ministry Gets Bt8 Billion For Cultural Projects

[george]

Culture Ministry gets Bt8 billion for cultural projects

BANGKOK: -- The Culture Ministry has obtained a budget of Bt8billion for strengthening the country's ability to make money from cultural capital.

The budget is approved for the implementation of 14 projects between this year and 2012.

The projects, for example, are about improving the Thailand Culture Centre, the promotion creative cultural festivals, enhancement of lifelong learning centres, and adding value to communities' cultural tourism.

"We also plan to give income opportunities to people through the promotion of arts and cultures," Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch said Tuesday at the Asia Cultural Ministerial Roundtable Meeting.

-- The Nation 2009-08-18

[dragonfly94]

Culture Ministry gets Bt8 billion for cultural projects

BANGKOK: -- The Culture Ministry has obtained a budget of Bt8billion for strengthening the country's ability to make money from cultural capital.

The budget is approved for the implementation of 14 projects between this year and 2012.

The projects, for example, are about improving the Thailand Culture Centre, the promotion creative cultural festivals, enhancement of lifelong learning centres, and adding value to communities' cultural tourism.

"We also plan to give income opportunities to people through the promotion of arts and cultures," Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch said Tuesday at the Asia Cultural Ministerial Roundtable Meeting.

-- The Nation 2009-08-18

There is nothing wrong with the Thai cultural centre, unless they want to improve the sound system. I wonder what 'adding value to communities cultural tourism.' means? I very much doubt any of it will be spent in the cultural pursuits of Issan people who make up a third of the population. There will be nothing spent on the promotion of morlam, luktung, rural dance, kantrum or anything else. This will all be wasted, never heard of lifelong learning centres, surely they are educational and not cultural centres?

[richard10365]

$235,017,626 U.S. Dollars seems alot to spend on culture. Projects such as enhancement of lifelong learning centres and adding value to communities seem a bit vague.

[Bagwan]

I'd be a lot happier if this money was spent in clearing the pavements in tourist areas of hawkers by setting up recognised markets - and then putting the pavements in a safe condition.

I wonder what percentage of visitors come to experience Thai culture? Doesn't corruption form part of the Thai culture? What prominence will be given to this aspect? Or the oligarchial political system?

[hazz]

The really sad thing is that given the timing this money is probably an allocation of the huge loan the government took out this year. I can see a lot of this money going to projects in Issan set up by various politicians and their friends; good news for Mercedes. Thinking about it a merc is an important part of thai culture.

Edited August 19, 2009 by hazz

[dale8]

Hello, it is important for the government to promote more Thai cultural festivals so that the Thai people would not lose their identity in this modern world. It could stimulate the economy if they advertise these events to other countries, and it is good for more people to understand more about the Thai people and the culture. Cheers.

[Thai at Heart]

Hello, it is important for the government to promote more Thai cultural festivals so that the Thai people would not lose their identity in this modern world. It could stimulate the economy if they advertise these events to other countries, and it is good for more people to understand more about the Thai people and the culture. Cheers.

The projects, for example, are about improving the Thailand Culture Centre, the promotion creative cultural festivals, enhancement of lifelong learning centres, and adding value to communities' cultural tourism.

National holidays are well observed, local festivals are well observed, the vast majority of the population is Buddhist and many still practising Buddhists, kids still wai their parents. Please explain exactly where we see active erosion of the culture in the country?

Maybe they could go back to traditional dress where women were topless. That would get the tourists flocking back. Identity is more than a powerpoint with a spending plan.

It isn't the culture ministry's job to advertise festivals, that lies with the tourism ministry.

Lifelong learning centres? Is this gobbledeegook for museums?

[Bagwan]

Hello, it is important for the government to promote more Thai cultural festivals so that the Thai people would not lose their identity in this modern world. It could stimulate the economy if they advertise these events to other countries, and it is good for more people to understand more about the Thai people and the culture. Cheers.

I would guess that the vast majority of Thai folk would happily put Thai culture in the dustbin and adopt a Western way of life with all its benefits given the chance. Unfortunately the phu yais give the ordinary folk only two chances - a dog's and none.

How would it stimulate the economy? Most visitors and ex-pats come here to spend their money - and they want good value for it. A brief perusal of posts here would indicate that they are not getting it, as do the tourist figures. An exhibition of Thai dancing does not provide a counter balance to the activities of the scum that infest Cobra Swamp amongst other places. Sun, sand and (for some) sex are the major drawing cards. Seeing the silk manufacturing process from start to finish is all very well, but isn't likely to make people dash to the airport, and fly half way round the world to see it in person, rather than on TV.

As for understanding Thai peoples and their culture just how is this to be effected? It remains a mystery to many long term residents hence the only explanation offered is TIT - thus signifying total disbelief. Even the natives use that term, often wearing a rueful smile. I have never met anybody who professed to understanding Thais, but hundreds who say that they, or I, will never reach that high estate.

[TAWP]

Any government that gives the 'The Culture Ministry' (isn't it, The Ministry of Culture?) more than zero bahts in budget allocation are morons.

But then again, haven't seen one sofar that wasn't...

[bkkjames]

I am no economist by any means but if the goal is as reported in the first line of that clipping is accurate - pray tell how do they plan to recoup the 8 billion baht expenditure? More tourist arrivals?

Why not just cut to the chase and say we want to spend 8 billion baht improving our cultural entities throughout the country and do it.

No need to say the goal is to make money off of them. Nobody has any expectations that this will happen anyway.

If the goal is to improve cultural awareness both domestically and overseas fine. If there are any economic benefits for the country because of it, great.