Bangkok: UNESCO has officially announced the certification of Nan and Songkhla as members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) for 2025.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sabida Thaiset, Minister of Culture, highlighted that Nan Province has been recognized in the Crafts and Folk Art category, while Songkhla Province has been acknowledged in the Gastronomy category. This significant recognition emphasizes the sustainable potential of Thailand's cultural capital and aligns with the country's creative economy policy.
Nan Province, under the theme "Artisans-Community-Nature," showcases its handicrafts and folk arts as integral to daily life rather than just preserved heritage. The province's cultural assets include Tai Lue woven fabrics, Nam Lai patterns, Iu Mien silverware, modernized weaving techniques, ancient Bo Suak kilns, "Whisper of Love" murals, Naga racing boat prow wood carvings, and the traditional forest vine bags of the Malabri people.
Songkhla Province's recognition stems from its expertise in food science, leveraging its unique geography as a city of two seas, including Songkhla Lake and the Gulf of Thailand. The region's ecosystem supports a rich variety of culinary ingredients that contribute to Songkhla's distinctive identity. The combination of cultural activities and ecological richness positions Songkhla as a city with significant potential for progression.
The Minister of Culture noted that UNESCO has recognized 58 new cities from 41 countries as part of the network this year, across eight creative fields, including handicrafts, folk arts, literature, gastronomy, music, architecture, design, film, and media arts. The inclusion of Nan and Songkhla in the UCCN is expected to enhance their cultural heritage on an international platform through knowledge exchange, collaborative networking, and sustainable development, with an emphasis on "culture and creativity" in urban development.
The Ministry of Culture also extended congratulations to six other ASEAN cities recognized this year, including Dumaguete City, Quezon City, Ho Chi Minh City, Malang, Ponorogo, and Kuala Lumpur, showcasing the creative prowess of Southeast Asia on the global stage.