PM meets UNESCO chief, pushes Thai dress for heritage status

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met UNESCO Director-General Khaled Ahmed El-Enany Ali Ezz at Government House on May 15 to discuss cooperation on culture, artificial intelligence, education and sustainable development.

During the meeting at Thai Khu Fah Building, Anutin reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to working closely with UNESCO to strengthen the country's international role and create new opportunities in culture, technology and the economy.

A major focus of the discussions was Thailand's plan to nominate traditional Thai dress, or "Chud Thai", for inclusion on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list.

The government said the move aims to promote Thai soft power and expand the economic value of Thai fashion, handicrafts, tourism and creative industries globally. Thailand is also preparing to hold an exhibition titled "Royal Thai Dress: From Tradition to Modernity" at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris on May 25, featuring outfits worn by Queen Sirikit and all eight styles of royal-endorsed traditional Thai dress.

The meeting also covered Thailand's efforts to preserve its cultural and natural world heritage sites and plans to establish an international AI governance centre under the Electronic Transactions Development Agency in cooperation with UNESCO. According to the government, the proposed centre would position Thailand as a regional hub for AI research, standards and ethical governance.

UNESCO also proposed that Thailand host a global education conference in early 2027, building on the country's role in co-hosting the GFEAI 2025 conference with UNESCO this year.

Prime Minister Anutin said cooperation with UNESCO would help strengthen Thailand's international standing and support the country's ambition to become a regional centre for cultural and technological cooperation.