Chanthaburi Province continues its efforts to promote and preserve local culture. Recently, the Chanthaburi Provincial Cultural Office, in collaboration with the Provincial Cultural Council, held a meeting on December 23, 2024, to establish the Tha Mai District Cultural Council. The initiative aims to create a key mechanism for advancing cultural activities at the local level to Creative City.
The Importance of Establishing the Cultural Council
Mr. Jare Chumpia, President of the Chanthaburi Provincial Cultural Council, highlighted that forming the Tha Mai District Cultural Council is a significant step in encouraging Tha Mai residents to participate in preserving and developing local culture. The council will also drive major provincial projects, such as promoting Chanthaburi as a Creative City of Gastronomy and advancing the “4DNA Chanthaburi Identity” initiative.
Mrs. Minlada Panyachom was elected as the new President of the Tha Mai District Cultural Council. Her primary goal is to collaborate with various sectors to preserve and promote local culture on a wider scale. Additionally, the council seeks to enhance cooperation among government agencies, private organizations, and communities to integrate local culture into the region’s economic and social development.
Chanthaburi as a Creative City of Gastronomy
Promoting Chanthaburi as a Creative City of Gastronomy is one of the province’s key initiatives. This project focuses on leveraging cultural resources and indigenous knowledge to develop value-added products and services for the community. For instance, local recipes are refined to compete in global markets, culinary tourism is encouraged, and digital marketing channels are utilized.
The development of local cuisine creates a synergy between culture and tourism. The province has initiated programs to educate communities on enhancing traditional recipes and packaging to attract tourists. Training sessions cover topics such as utilizing local ingredients, improving nutritional value, and telling food stories through online marketing to create memorable consumer experiences.
The “4DNA Chanthaburi Identity” Initiative
The “4DNA Chanthaburi Identity” initiative emphasizes development across four key areas:
- Culture: Supporting activities and projects that preserve traditional customs, such as reviving local art, folk games, and regional festivals. The initiative also aims to build a network of local artists to exchange knowledge and create diverse works.
- Economy: Enhancing the quality of cultural products and services to generate income for communities while ensuring sustainable use of natural resources. This includes promoting the cultivation of medicinal herbs for food and medicine, developing distinctive pottery, and crafting handicrafts that can compete in international markets.
- Society: Raising awareness of cultural values and fostering community unity through inclusive activities. Examples include workshops on crafting traditional musical instruments, preserving local silk weaving, and organizing exhibitions on regional history.
- Environment: Encouraging sustainable use of natural resources in cultural and economic development. Projects include promoting native flower cultivation for traditional ceremonies, creating biodiversity learning centers, and developing community waste management plans to maintain a livable environment.
Strengthening Community Collaboration
Collaboration among government, private, and local communities is crucial for Chanthaburi’s long-term success. Initiatives include workshops to build cultural networks, training programs for cultural leaders, and creating promotional materials to highlight the province’s identity.
Digital skills development is also central to promoting culture in the modern era. Communities in Chanthaburi are utilizing social media and digital platforms to promote tourism and culture, such as creating websites featuring cultural attractions, live-streaming annual festivals, and producing creative content showcasing local lifestyles and traditions.
Expectations and Future Steps
The establishment of the Tha Mai District Cultural Council marks a promising beginning in driving Chanthaburi toward becoming a culturally vibrant city with international competitiveness. Collaboration across all sectors is vital to ensuring the province’s sustainable development as a Creative City.
With clear vision and strong local commitment, Chanthaburi has the potential to become a model for creative cultural development that harmoniously blends local identity with modernity. The province aims to establish a culture-driven economy and achieve sustainability across all dimensions, from local livelihoods to natural resource conservation.
Looking ahead, Chanthaburi plans to organize international events that connect local culture with the global community, such as creative food festivals featuring world-renowned chefs, art exhibitions showcasing regional identity, and partnerships with other creative cities worldwide to exchange ideas and experiences.
With comprehensive support from all sectors, Chanthaburi is poised to become a Creative City that inspires other regions in Thailand and beyond.
Facebook Page : มหัศจันท์ แห่งรสชาติ – Chanthaburi Gastronomy
Home Page : มหัศจันท์ แห่งรสชาติ – Chanthaburi Gastronomy
