The National Soft Power Strategy Committee has recognised 11 sectors and activities for promotion as elements of Thailand’s soft power. It has also approved a 3 billion baht budget to support Thai film producers’ participation in three international film festivals.

The sectors and activities include festivals, tourism, food, arts, design, sports, music, books, films, performances, TV series, fashions and games.

At its first meeting at Government House on Tuesday, chaired by Prime Minister Minister Srettha Thavisin, the committee also approved, in principle, the holding of a nation-wide “Maha Songkran World Water Festival” in April this year to promote tourism, according to Government Spokesman Chai Wacharonke.

He said that, during the meeting, the prime minister made observations about the size of the proposed budget for soft power promotion and instructed agencies concerned to make sure that the money is spent efficiently.

Chai added that the meeting agreed to designate the Steering Office for National Reform, National Strategy and National Reconciliation as the main driving force for the development of soft power.

The main tasks of this office are to study, analyse and draw up plans for soft power development, allocate budgets, oversee the implementation of the related projects and activities, avoid duplication, ensure optimum efficiency and to streamline laws and regulations for the promotion of the 11 sectors and activities as elements of soft power.

Chai also said that the meeting approved the appointments of the director of the Budget Bureau, secretary-general of the Council of State and the permanent secretary of the interiorand the director of the Steering Office for National Reform, National Strategy and National Reconciliation as members of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee.

Meanwhile, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, chair of the National Soft Power Development Committee, has appointed Chanon Santinatornkul, aka Nonkul, a well-known Thai actor, as an additional member of the steering subcommittee for the film industry, effective on Tuesday.

Three other individuals were also appointed as members of the steering subcommittee for stage performances and movie series.