Phu Tai textiles as a cultural heritage of the nation

Abstract

Kalasin Province possess two pieces of cultural heritage registered as Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) by The Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection and Promotion Acts 2016for the artistry, ancient textiles; ‘Praewa’ in the year 2009 and ‘Phu Tai Textiles’ in the year 2012. In applying the concept of International Information and Networking Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHCAP)on the intangible cultural heritage and sustainable development noticed the 2 items in the renowned list providing benefits in 3 dimensions.  Social DimensionI.: Benefit from ICH as the body of knowledge of community has not been transferred to the new generation in both formal education and informal education systems. Benefit from ICH as social cohesion in the form of textiles identity uses. The benefit has been implemented according to the policy of Kalasin Province in order to have concreate outputs in having Prae-wa and Phu Tai Textiles as provincial identity. However, the lacking of empowered ICH to bring the province to better concert and greater interrelation with neighboring countries in the region still exists. In Environmental Dimension II, it is the benefit from ICH in the biodiversity conservation capacity issue, in which Kalasin communities can maintain local varieties of mulberry and local breeds silk worm in classic, conservative practices. In addition to the state policy formulated to promote local sericulture to Geographic Indications (GI) status and based on the Gold Class of Royal Peacock Certification (RPC). The RPC criteria strictly certified local sericulture in all the process. In the issue concerning ICH on environmental sustainability, the dominant phenomena as the Praewa and Phu Tai Textiles have been revived back to eco-friendly production in response to contemporary consumers demands.  In Economic Dimension III, the benefit of ICH as an essence to group of people and their community importance, has been recognized Praewa for income generating and increasing which is better local economic situation.  In the issue on ICH as the local tourism promotion in which has been lacking in cultural and community base tourism management organized as a model community in linking and base on Praewa and Phu Tai textiles. In Kalasin Province, the lacking of cultural tourist attraction that registered together with ICH still persist.