Strategic Development of Khon: Sustaining Intangible Cultural Heritage through Multi-Stakeholder Participation Mechanisms

Abstract

This research article aims to present a strategic plan for the promotion and safeguarding of Khon as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, aligned with both the contemporary Thai social context and international standards under the UNESCO 2003 Convention. The study forms part of a broader research project on the development of a strategic plan for the promotion and safeguarding of Khon as an intangible cultural heritage. A Mixed Methods Research design was employed, encompassing documentary research and multi-stakeholder consultations conducted across four regions nationwide, involving a total of 150 participants comprising experts, performing artists, government agencies, and educational institutions. The findings reveal that Khon possesses distinctive strengths as an internationally recognized intangible cultural heritage with deep cultural roots, while simultaneously facing structural challenges in the transmission of knowledge to younger generations, incomplete digital archiving systems, and discontinuities in budgetary support mechanisms. Drawing on these findings, this article proposes an eight-dimensional strategic framework that integrates human resource capacity development, the embedding of Khon within formal education systems, the deployment of digital innovation to reinforce its vitality, and its elevation as a strategic instrument of Soft Power—with the overarching aim of sustaining Khon as a living, vibrant presence in contemporary society.