BANGKOK – Thivalrarat Angkinan, Member of Parliament for Phetchaburi from the Bhumjaithai Party and Chair of the House Committee on Religion, Arts and Culture, presided over the opening ceremony of the 2026 International Muay Thai Seminar at Rajaprachanukroh 47 School in Phetchaburi province.

The seminar was organized in collaboration with the Siam Traditional Thai Martial Arts Association and partners from both the public and private sectors to provide a platform for knowledge exchange, promote international cooperation, and strengthen the global Muay Thai network.

Thivalrarat said Muay Thai is more than a martial art or competitive sport. It is a priceless cultural heritage that reflects Thailand's spirit, courage, discipline, and national identity, earning recognition around the world.

She said the seminar plays an important role in promoting education, exchanging teaching standards, and identifying ways to preserve Muay Thai while adapting to the modern era without compromising its traditional values.

Thivalrarat also highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to secure international recognition for Muay Thai. She noted that the Cabinet approved a proposal in 2024 to nominate "Muay Thai (Traditional Thai Boxing)" for inscription on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, with the evaluation process expected to begin in 2028.

"As Chair of the House Committee on Religion, Arts and Culture, I am fully committed to supporting this nomination to help preserve and promote Muay Thai, while enhancing its economic and cultural value and strengthening Thailand's international image for future generations," she said.

"I am confident that the cooperation demonstrated through this seminar will play an important role in elevating Muay Thai on the global stage and inspiring young people to embrace physical fitness and take pride in Thailand's arts and cultural heritage."

Thivalrarat said the seminar had successfully achieved its objectives and expressed hope that participants would apply the knowledge, experience, and professional networks gained from the event to support the sustainable development of Thailand's Muay Thai industry.

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