Thai classical masked play likely to be listed as world cultural heritage

BANGKOK, June 19 (TNA) - The government, through the Ministry of Culture, has proposed to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that the Thai classical masked play, also known as "Khon", to be listed as a new World Heritage for Intangible Culture in 2018. Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat told journalists of the update on Tuesday, saying that the Thai proposal is expected to be approved by UNESCO by the end of this year. The minister stated that his ministry is, thus, preparing activities to celebrate nationwide the Thai classical masked play as a new World Heritage for Intangible Culture, as given the green light by a government committee on promoting and protecting the country's cultural wisdom heritages at its latest meeting recently. According to the minister, the planned activities include those showing the national pride on "Khon", covering the presentation of honorary appreciation to distinguished persons for their participation in the development and the promotion of the Thai classical masked play, and grand "Khon" shows, public forums, exhibitions and publications on "Khon" to be launched by his ministry's Fine Arts Department at the Thailand Cultural Center in Bangkok and all regions of the country. The minister revealed that the government committee also discussed plans on protecting the traditional Thai medicine as a national wisdom heritage, including organizing exhibitions on the traditional Thai massage and hermit lessons, and revising relevant laws, all of which are preparations for the Thai government's submission of a proposal to UNESCO on listing the traditional Thai medicine as another World Heritage for Culture in the future. (TNA)