On 3 December 2024, the Nineteenth Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICS-ICH) in Asunción, Republic of Paraguay, inscribed “Tomyum Kung” on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (RL) under the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage or the 2003 UNESCO Convention.

The inscription of “Tomyum Kung” in the RL marks another proud moment for Thailand and will significantly enhance the international recognition of the values and importance of “Tomyum Kung” as a culinary wisdom of the riverside communities in the Central Plains of Thailand, a fertile region that has served as the nation’s primary food production area for centuries. It embodies a food culture rooted in observing and learning from nature, reflecting a way of life that is simple, self-sufficient, and deeply connected to nature, while offering numerous health benefits.

H.E. Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, delivered recorded remarks expressing her congratulations on this significant recognition and emphasising Thailand’s commitment to promoting the value of intangible cultural heritage at all levels. She also reaffirmed Thailand’s determination to work with all countries to safeguard the intangible cultural heritage.

To date, Thailand has five elements inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: Khon Masked Dance Drama (2018); Nuad Thai (2019); Nora, Dance Drama (2021); Songkran in Thailand, the traditional Thai New Year festival (2023); and Tomyum Kung (2024).