The Songkran Festival, a long-standing traditional Thai New Year celebration, is set to be included on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) tentative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in December of this year. This approval for consideration by UNESCO was disclosed by Culture Minister Itthiphol Khunpluem on April 6, marking a significant milestone for Thailand’s cultural heritage.
Once approved, the Songkran Festival will join Thailand’s current list of three intangible cultural heritages: Khon, a dance drama genre, traditional Thai massage, or Nuad Thai, and Nora, an acrobatic form of dance theater and improvisational singing from southern Thailand. This latest addition to the list will help further promote Thai culture and foster a greater appreciation and understanding of the significance of the Songkran Festival.
An intangible cultural heritage (ICH) refers to a practice, representation, expression, knowledge, or skill, as well as artifacts or cultural property, that is considered to be part of a place’s cultural heritage by UNESCO. These cultural heritages are recognized for their outstanding universal value and are safeguarded through international cooperation and support.
The Songkran Festival, also known as the “Water Festival,” is celebrated annually from April 13 to 15, and is one of the most significant and popular cultural festivals in Thailand. During this time, people splash water on each other to symbolize cleansing and renewal, and engage in other traditional rituals and customs, such as paying respect to elders and visiting temples.
The inclusion of the Songkran Festival in UNESCO’s tentative list of ICHs is a great honor for Thailand and will help to promote the country’s cultural heritage to the world. The recognition of the Songkran Festival as an intangible cultural heritage will also serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of Thai culture and the significance of its traditions in the modern era.
 tentative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in December of this year.){kind=link}