Thiwalarat pushes Muay Thai for UNESCO World Heritage status

Matichon•Politics•19d ago

Reader Briefing

Thiwalarat Angkinanth presided over the opening of an international Muay Thai seminar in Phetchaburi to promote the art form's global standards and heritage status.

•Thiwalarat Angkinanth opened the International Muay Thai Seminar 2026 on August 5 at Rajaprajanugroh 47 School, Phetchaburi.
•The event, organized by the Siam Yuth Thai Traditional Sports Association, hosted 101 participants from 10 countries.
•The Cabinet approved in 2024 the proposal to register Muay Thai as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
•International participants are scheduled to visit cultural sites in Phetchaburi and travel within Thailand to stimulate the economy.

Overview

•Thiwalarat Angkinanth performed the Muay Thai Wai Khru dance during the seminar to demonstrate the art's cultural value.
•The International Muay Thai Seminar 2026 takes place from August 5-12, 2026.
•The seminar is attended by 101 international participants from 10 different countries.
•The Cabinet passed a resolution in 2024 to propose Muay Thai for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage registration.
•The process for Muay Thai's UNESCO consideration is expected to begin in 2028.
•Thiwalarat Angkinanth affirmed that as the Chairperson of the Committee on Religion, Art and Culture, she will fully support the registration process.
•International participants will visit Phetchaburi landmarks including Wat Yai Suwannaram Worawihan, Phra Nakhon Khiri, and Mrigadayavan Palace.
•The event aims to use Muay Thai as a link to promote Phetchaburi's cultural heritage and Thailand's soft power internationally.

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Key Entities

Person

Thiwalarat Angkinanth(ธิวัลรัตน์ อังกินันทน์)

Member of Parliament for Phetchaburi and Chairperson of the Committee on Religion, Art and Culture of the House of Representatives.

Organization

Siam Yuth Thai Traditional Sports Association(สมาคมสยามยุทธกีฬาพื้นเมืองไทย)

The organization that arranged the International Muay Thai Seminar 2026 in collaboration with various network partners.

UNESCO(องค์การยูเนสโก)ℹ️

The international organization to which Thailand is proposing Muay Thai as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

The body that passed a resolution in 2024 to approve the proposal of Muay Thai for UNESCO registration.

Committee on Religion, Art and Culture of the House of Representatives(คณะกรรมาธิการการศาสนา ศิลปะ และวัฒนธรรม สภาผู้แทนราษฎร)

The parliamentary committee chaired by Thiwalarat Angkinanth to support Muay Thai's heritage registration.

Place

Rajaprajanugroh 47 School(โรงเรียนราชประชานุเคราะห์ 47)

The venue in Cha-am District, Phetchaburi Province, where the seminar opening was held.

Phetchaburi Province(จังหวัดเพชรบุรี)ℹ️

The location of the seminar and various cultural heritage sites visited by participants.

Wat Yai Suwannaram Worawihan(วัดใหญ่สุวรรณาราม วรวิหาร)

A major art and cultural heritage site in Phetchaburi Province visited by international participants.

Phra Nakhon Khiri (Khao Wang)(พระนครคีรี (เขาวัง))

A cultural heritage site in Phetchaburi Province visited by international participants.

Mrigadayavan Palace(พระราชนิเวศน์มฤคทายวัน)ℹ️

A cultural heritage site in Phetchaburi Province visited by international participants.