It is a moment of great pride for Thailand as five of its provinces - Phuket, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Sukhothai, and Phetchaburi - have been registered as Creative Cities in the fields of cuisine, indigenous crafts, and design by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). This recognition reflects the government's efforts to drive the creative economy for sustainable urban development.

     The Creative Cities Network, another initiative by UNESCO, operates alongside the declaration of world heritage sites of nature and history. Since its inception in 2004, it selects every four years to promote the development of the creative industries towards international cooperation between civil society, public and private sectors through policies that extend from local to international levels. The network connects with more than 300 cities worldwide.

     UNESCO defines a Creative City as a collaboration between local communities and the government in creatively developing a city through environmental development, social infrastructure, economic infrastructure, and the application of cultural assets. History, customs, traditions, and local rituals are blended with modern technology to create a conducive environment for businesses or the creative industry.

The Creative Cities Network comprises seven categories:

1. City of Literature
2. City of Film
3. City of Music
4. City of Crafts & Folk Arts
5. City of Design
6. City of Media Art
7. City of Gastronomy

Presently, UNESCO has registered five provinces of Thailand as Creative Cities in various fields as follows:

• Phuket Province has been registered as a Creative City in the field of cuisine since 2015. Phuket boasts traditional culinary culture and a rich history of cultural exchange passed down through generations.
• Chiang Mai Province has been registered as a Creative City in the field of crafts and folk art since 2017. Chiang Mai has preserved and supported the handicraft industry, a long-standing cultural tradition, featuring ceramics, silverware, wood carvings, silk embroidery, and tin ware.
• Bangkok has been registered as a Creative City in the field of design since 2019. The diversity of the population in Bangkok fosters a blend of traditional and modern aesthetics, evolving the city's design through craftsmen, entrepreneurs, and creative production communities throughout the city.
• Sukhothai Province has been registered as a Creative City in the field of crafts and folk art since 2019. Sukhothai has a long heritage in arts and crafts, and is a hub for more than 1,300 artisans working in the community, producing textiles, gold and silver jewelry, ceramics, and stoneware.
• Phetchaburi Province has been registered as a Creative City in the field of cuisine since 2021. Phetchaburi is known for its diverse and rich biodiversity and ecosystems. Its high-quality ingredients, traditional community recipes, and the integration of tradition with modern economic development has increased the popularity of local cuisine at the national and global levels.

     The results of these registrations reflect the unique potential of each region in the country and represent a major achievement resulting from the cooperation between communities, the public sector, and private sector. All involved parties have worked to conserve, pass on, and develop local wisdom and culture, serving as a good example for other provinces or cities.

     Being a part of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network not only increases visibility but also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 11, "Sustainable Cities and Communities," which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Moreover, this status attracts tourists from creative cities around the world, thereby increasing visitor numbers.

Data updated on May 27, 2023
Source: National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)
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