A total of 70 new items including <i>som tam</i> (papaya salad), <i>pla ra</i> (fermented fish), children's game <i>mak keb</i> (jackstones), and buffalo racing have been registered this year as Thai cultural icons, Culture Minister Sonthaya Khunploem says.
Launched in 2009, the icon list has now grown to cover a total of 80 items such as tom yum kung, the Songkran and Loy Krathong festivals and likay musical folk drama.
Mr Sonthaya said the listings are part of the ministry's attempts to preserve Thai culture and local wisdom.
He said the listings will also prepare the country for the ratification of Unesco's Intangible Heritage Convention.
After ratifying the convention, Thailand can seek world heritage status for local wisdom.