List of Intangible Cultural Heritage elements in Thailand

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) intangible cultural heritage elements are the non-physical traditions and practices performed by a people. As part of a country's cultural heritage, they include celebrations, festivals, performances, oral traditions, music, and the making of handicrafts.^[1]

Background[edit]

The "intangible cultural heritage" is defined by the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, drafted in 2003^[2] and took effect in 2006.^[3] Inscription of new heritage elements on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists is determined by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, an organisation established by the convention.^[4]

Thailand ratified the convention on 10 June 2016.^[5]

Intangible Cultural Heritage elements[edit]

+ Transnational element

Representative List[edit]

Name	Year	No.	Description
Khon, masked dance drama in Thailand	2018	01385	The Khon Masked Dance Drama is a performing art that combines musical, vocal, literary, dance, ritual, and handicraft elements. Khon performances – which involve graceful dance movements, instrumental and vocal renditions and glittering costumes – depict the glory of Rama, the hero and incarnation of the god Vishnu, who brings order and justice to the world.
Nuad Thai, traditional Thai massage	2019	01384	Nuad Thai is regarded as part of the art, science, and culture of traditional Thai healthcare. As a non-medicinal remedy and manual therapy, it involves bodily manipulation in which the practitioner helps rebalance the patient's body, energy and structure to treat illnesses believed to be caused by the obstruction of energy flow along ‘sen’, lines understood to crisscross the human body.
Nora, dance drama in southern Thailand	2021	01587	Nora is a lively and acrobatic form of dance theatre and improvisational singing from southern Thailand. Performances normally include a long oral invocation, followed by a presentation by a lead character who dances with vigorous and elaborate movements of the legs, arms, and fingers. The main Nora performers – whether male or female – wear colourful costumes with crowns or headdresses, beads, bird-like wings tied around the waist, ornate scarves, and swan tails that give them a bird-like appearance.
Songkran in Thailand, traditional Thai New Year festival	2023	01719	In Thailand, Songkran refers to the sun's annual passing into the Aries constellation, the first sign of the Zodiac, which marks the traditional start of the new year. Occurring in mid-April after the rice harvest, it is a time when people reunite with their families and pay their respects to older adults, ancestors, and sacred Buddha images. Pouring water is a significant act during Songkran, symbolizing cleansing, reverence. and good fortune. The tradition is passed on through participation in the festivities.