The Ministry of Culture has planned many cultural activities to promote Thai culture and stimulate confidence in Thailand among international tourists and investors.

Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch said that Thailand, in the eyes of in the world community, is a land of peace and that Thai people are generous and apply religious principles in leading their life. The violent incidents that have taken place recently, however, came from differences in political views and seriously tarnished the image of the country, thus affecting confidence in Thailand.

Mr. Teera said that the Ministry of Culture proposed the formation of a committee to set policies and strategies to restore confidence in Thailand and, at the same time, to promote reconciliation and harmonization among the local people. One of the planned activities to stimulate confidence in Thailand is to organize cultural tours that take members of the diplomatic corps based in Thailand to observe the people’s lifestyle in the countryside. The tours will also take them to various empowered communities in Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Udon Thani, and other provinces. The diplomats will also learn about folk culture and visit places of cultural significance, such as historical parks, which reflect the country’s valuable treasures and cradle of civilization.

As for foreign countries, the Ministry of Culture will organize road shows to boost both Thai culture and the Thai economy. For instance, it will hold Thai cultural festivals in several countries and distribute a book in English, Thai Art and Culture, to enable the international community to have better understanding about Thailand.

Moreover, the Ministry of Culture also promotes the film and video industry as a way of boosting Thai culture and the country’s economy. Mr. Teera said that the National Film and Video Committee had worked out a strategy for film and video industrial promotion, for 2009 to 2011. The strategy seeks to develop Thailand as a film and video production and distribution center within the next three years. It will encourage the use of Thai cultural heritage for film production, similar to what is done in Japan and the Republic of Korea. Mr. Teera also proposed tax reduction for international film makers using Thailand as a film shooting location.

Concerning the young generation and Thai culture, Mr. Teera quoted a survey conducted among more than 7,600 young people, most of whom were of the view that the showing of gratitude to parents and the elderly should always be preserved in Thai culture. They would like the Ministry of Culture to publicize more achievements in culture. In their opinion, the image of the Ministry of Culture involves the proper use of the Thai language, the maintenance of historical sites, and the preservation of Thai festivals, such as Songkran ( the traditional Thai New Year) and Loy Krathong, one of the most popular cultural events in Thailand.

Source: The Government Public Relations Department