Mr Phikit SRICHANA
Secretary to Minister of Culture
Thailand
Cultural Ministers from across Asia, Executives from Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China, arts and cultural personnel, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Thailand has placed great importance on the Asian Cultural Cooperation Forum as a platform for cultural executives from Asian countries to exchange views, experiences, policies, and visions, especially in the era when Asian countries have bonded closely through cooperative synergies and mutual economic and social dynamics. Therefore, I feel honoured and delighted that Thailand is once again invited to this Forum, which coincides with the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of People’s Republic of China in 2019. It is our great honour to leverage this occasion to foster a closer cultural exchange with China, Hong Kong and other Asian countries.
When looking from the geographical point of view, Thailand is located in the heart of mainland Southeast Asia, with the Pacific Ocean on the right and the Indian Ocean on the left. Its location has made Thailand a transferring spot for voyagers, oceanic transportation, and naval trade since the ancient time. With its vast plain and agriculture abundance, Thailand has become a receptive hub for cultures, waves of peoples, philosophies, innovations and cultural influences from China, India and the West. These outward influences were adapted, adjusted and mixed with local cultures and beliefs, which resulted in the unique and outstanding cultural identities of Thailand that held common features and similarities with other Asian cultures.
Therefore, the true elements of being Thai, or ‘Thai-ness’, are to receive, adjust, select, combine, and accumulate. These Thai traits have continued until today, and become the fundamental factors of Thailand’s cultural, social and economic policies. Especially now when Thailand has announced the ‘Thailand 4.0’ policy and focused on the use of creativity and innovation that combines with the long-accumulated traditional knowledge and cultures. Thailand has also prepared itself for the age of exchanges of technologies, ideas, trade and investment by laying the foundation of digital infrastructure and financial technology, which will enhance the mobility of population in Asia and achieve closer connection between people . Thailand too has taken advantage of today’s technology by cultivating the creative and cultural economy with an aim to further its economic growth, enhance value-added production, and develop the artisans and craftsmen.
Since the economic crisis in Asia in 1997, Thailand has sought after an alternative source to boost its economy and avoid being too dependent on heavy industry. It started to turn towards developing the content industry, especially in the fields of film, advertisement, animation and media production, where the public sector is highly competent. Thailand has recently found itself to be a popular destination for film-shooting, and has, since then, put effort on being a world-class post-production hub for films and media. Today, the creative sector, including film, fashion, design and cultural tourism, accounts for more than 13% of Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP).
To make economic and social growth more sustainable, the Ministry of Culture of Thailand, in conjunction with related governmental and public agencies, has focused on empowering local communities by using the arts and culture; enhancing cultural education; developing craftsmanship and artistic skills; strengthening collaboration among local craftsmen, artists, designers, market and policy analysts; safeguarding the tangible and intangible cultural heritage and transforming their traditional knowledge into cultural goods and services. Every road now leads us to local communities and cities. The Ministry of Culture of Thailand has initiated projects that enhance the local engagement, such as the ‘4 DNA’ – decoding the local identities, the international art event ‘Thailand Biennale’, the promotion of local cultural products with innovation ‘C-POT’, enhancing fashion design and graphic design for local merchandises, the improvement of national museums across Thailand, the promotion of local cultural expressions, the promotion of Thailand’s cultural goods ‘5F – Fashion, Food, Fighting (Muay Thai), Film, and Festivals’, and the promotion of tourism in secondary cities and local communities which will bring about the local market and employment. With these projects, Thailand has become one of the world’s largest tourist destinations - with more than 30 million tourists per year
In the age of Asian connectivity, Thailand has pushed forward the economic and social dynamics by furthering its infrastructure plan with high-speed trains, new international airports, and the recent establishment of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), which aims to welcome investors across Asia to Thailand’s innovation and creative sectors, and put emphasis on the strong tie of Asia and its unstoppable growth. On top of that, Thailand has been a supporter of the Belt and Road Initiative which enhances intra-regional trade, investment and exchange of cultural goods and services. As Asians, our similarities and common cultural features have deepened our mutual trust, which results in closer bonds among the Asian countries.
Ladies and gentlemen, culture does not only stimulate economic vitality but also serves as a creator of dynamics of ideas, co-operation and mutual commitment to overcoming challenges. With its people-oriented approach, culture can bring about human development and enhance people-to-people connectivity and cultural participation, with the shared goals of building peace and sustainable developments in Asia. I would like to affirm that cultures are an indispensable part of the national and regional development, and humbly request your unceasing efforts to develop arts and culture for the well-being of the next generation.
Thank you.