Bangkok: The Ministry of Culture is prepared to share its expertise on traditional Thai national costumes. Minister Sabida has expressed readiness to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to transfer knowledge and disseminate information on the authentic style of Thai traditional dress.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sabida Thaiseth, the Minister of Culture, addressed the issue concerning the Minister of Education's initiative to discuss the details of Thai and Cambodian dress styles in the supplementary ASEAN Studies textbook for first-grade elementary students. She emphasized the importance of asserting that Thai dress is distinctively Thai, tracing its origins to 1987. Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, conducted research and compiled knowledge into the Royal Thai Dress style. The Ministry of Culture is enthusiastic about working with the Ministry of Education to transfer this knowledge and will collaborate in all related areas.
The Ministry of Education is prepared to be a central mechanism in disseminating information about Thai dress, including styles, history, names, and guidelines on wearing it for various occasions. Ms. Sabida noted that discussions with the Ministry of Education had occurred before the current situation emerged. The Ministry of Culture aims to participate with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation; this partnership is not a sudden development. Regarding potential revisions to the textbooks, she stated that it is the Ministry of Education's responsibility to provide clarity on that matter.