“NUAD THAI” The Value of Thai Traditional Medicine as an Intangible Cultural Heritage

Abstract

        The purpose of this study was to analyze Thai traditional medicine culture as the wisdom heritage value. The area chosen in the study was WATPO Thai Traditional Medical School (Wat Pho). This research applied a qualitative research methodology, the study consisted of document research, field research, and in-depth interview. The key informants were 5 Thai traditional massage teachers, 12 Thai traditional massagers, 6 clients, 1 school administrator, and 1 government-policy actor. The data, which was approved by the execution of the aforementioned research project no. 117.1/64 from Chulalongkorn University, was collected through interviews to analyze the core values of Thai traditional massage. As a result, Thai traditional massage values can be divided into 2 aspects: internal and external value. The internal value includes 1) ethical value reflecting goodness, gratitude, and generosity in sharing knowledge and abilities, as well as hospitality and goodwill through the giving from teachers to students and massagers to clients 2) aesthetic value which clients perceive from the feeling and the touch of Thai traditional massagers while performing the massage. The external value includes 1) well-recognized health value 2) economic value, both direct and indirect 3) social and cultural value that encourages a feeling of love, and protection along with cultural dignity to preserve the value of the intangible cultural heritage of Thai traditional massage to pass on to future generations 4) educational value which demonstrates that education is a tool for sustainable development.