Youth Learn Traditional Thai Khon Dance to Preserve Heritage
PTT Oil and Retail partnered with the Kukrit Foundation to teach Thai youth traditional khon dance and cultural arts through hands-on activities, aiming to preserve Thailand's heritage for future generations.
To give Thai youth access to and help preserve Thailand's valuable arts and culture, PTT Oil and Retail Company (OR) partnered with the Kukrit Foundation 80 under the royal patronage of Princess Sirindhorn to organize the "OR Creates Opportunity to Preserve Thai Culture" program at the Kukrit Institute Theatre. Pichaporn Vongsri, Corporate Communications Manager, represented OR and presented participation certificates.
The program, conducted under the "OR Creates Opportunity DDD" concept with a "Good Community" focus, emphasizes raising awareness of Thai values through active learning methods and group activities that stress hands-on participation and close engagement. The aim is to foster pride in Thai culture and ensure it is passed on to the future. Participants explored cultural heritage through four main activity stations:
— Traditional Thai Costume and Khon Dress: Learning the art of wearing traditional Thai attire and khon costumes, and practicing how to wear the sarong according to ancient traditions. — Thai Music House: Becoming familiar with various types of Thai musical instruments and practicing basic melodies and rhythms. — Four-Region Dance Skills: Training in regional folk dances unique to each area of Thailand, reflecting the lifestyle and way of life of Thai people. — Open the Khon Curtain: Practicing and performing khon, an elite art form recognized as a valuable world heritage.
Youth participants engaged in fun group activities, answered knowledge questions from the activities, and received souvenirs from Cafe Amazon. Through this initiative, OR aims to provide opportunities and encourage youth to learn and uphold Thai arts and culture as a national identity, particularly khon—an important cultural heritage—and to preserve Thai roots. The program also helps develop focus and confidence, promotes productive use of leisure time, and instills in youth a love and appreciation for Thai culture, encouraging them to sustain it as part of Thai society.
