Thailand has identified significant potential for cultural cooperation with Nigeria and other African countries through artistic exchanges, youth programmes, cultural festivals and creative industry partnerships.
The proposed collaboration aims to strengthen diplomatic relations, foster cultural exchange and promote mutual understanding between Thailand and African nations.
Ms Kittiporn Chaiboon, Acting Director, Cultural Education Institution at Thailand’s Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Bangkok.
Chaiboon, who is also an expert on Intangible Cultural Heritage, described culture as an important instrument of international engagement capable of connecting people across national, religious and linguistic boundaries.
Chaiboon said Thailand saw significant potential for expanding cultural relations with Nigeria and other African countries through reciprocal cultural presentations, exchanges between artists, academic collaboration and joint creative projects.
She said Thai and Nigerian artists could participate in cultural festivals and collaborative performances showcasing their countries’ distinctive traditions, while culinary exchanges could introduce Thai and Nigerian cuisines to new audiences.
“Digital platforms can also enable young people to share their music, visual arts, traditional knowledge and contemporary cultural expressions,” she said.
Chaiboon said that cultural cooperation should be reciprocal, allowing Thai people to learn about African cultures while introducing Thailand’s heritage to international audiences.
She said both Thailand and African countries possessed rich cultural resources, traditional craftsmanship and vibrant youth populations that could support mutually beneficial partnerships.
“Sharing experiences in cultural entrepreneurship, tourism, heritage documentation and digital content development can create opportunities for sustainable cooperation,” she said.
On preserving Thailand’s cultural heritage, Chaiboon identified respect for elders, compassion, hospitality, social harmony and community solidarity as defining elements of Thai identity.
She said these values were reflected in traditional customs, performing arts, festivals, cuisine, handicrafts and everyday life, while Buddhism and other religions had contributed to peaceful coexistence.
Chaiboon said the Thai government promoted cultural preservation through safeguarding intangible heritage, supporting traditional artists, documenting local wisdom and organising cultural festivals.
She said that cultural heritage was being integrated into education, tourism and the creative economy, with digital technology helping to document and disseminate traditional knowledge.
She said that cultural preservation involved keeping traditions meaningful and relevant to contemporary society rather than merely maintaining practices from the past.
On challenges facing cultural preservation, the Thai government official identified globalisation, digital technology and changing lifestyles as factors affecting the transmission of traditional practices to younger generations.
She also expressed concern over declining numbers of practitioners in some traditional crafts, noting that young people sometimes perceived cultural occupations as offering limited economic opportunities.
According to her, to ddress the challenges, Thailand encourages youth participation in cultural programmes, festivals and learning activities involving traditional practitioners and community elders.
“Social media, digital storytelling and modern product design can help young people to promote cultural heritage while creating career and entrepreneurial opportunities,” she said.
On the influence of cultural values on governance and everyday life, Chaiboon said respect, politeness and community solidarity encouraged cooperation and strengthened relationships among Thai people.
She said that these values were reflected in the traditional Thai greeting, known as the wai, respect for seniority and collective participation in religious ceremonies, festivals and community activities.
She, however, said that urbanisation, economic pressures and international influences were changing social relationships, stressing that respect for tradition should go alongside equality, inclusiveness and constructive dialogue.
Chaiboon said that cultural heritage and creative industries could generate employment, support entrepreneurship and improve livelihoods, particularly in rural communities.
She identified community-based tourism, traditional crafts, textiles, performing arts, local cuisine, film, music, design and digital content as areas capable of creating economic opportunities.
She called for investment in skills development, digital marketing and business training, while urging local communities to participate in decisions concerning their cultural resources.
“Thailand remains committed to strengthening cultural partnerships with Nigeria and other African countries.
“By doing so we can foster mutual understanding , strengthen friendships and contribute to a more inclusive and peaceful global community.”
