Minister of Culture Presides Over Press Conference for “Bangkok River Festival 2022 – The 8th Thai Cultural River Celebration”

Phra Brahmapundit, Member of the Sangha Supreme Council and Abbot of Wat Prayurawongsawas Worawihan, presided over the religious ceremony, while Mr. Ittipol Khunpluem, Minister of Culture, chaired the secular proceedings for the press conference of the “Bangkok River Festival 2022 – The 8th Thai Cultural River Celebration.”

The event was attended by Mr. Surapol Svetasreni, Chairman of the Bangkok River Festival 2022, Professor Dr. Apinan Poshyananda, Chairman of the Art and Culture Project, Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, executives from Thai Beverage, representatives from government and private sectors, members of the public, youth groups, and media representatives. The press conference took place on the 3rd floor of the Siripakdee Dharma Building at Wat Prayurawongsawas Worawihan, Thonburi District, Bangkok.

Minister Ittipol Khunpluem highlighted that the Bangkok River Festival 2022 builds on the ongoing success of previous years, marking its 8th edition under the theme “Rak Na Sai Nam” (Cherishing the River). The festival will be held from 5–8 November 2022, alongside the 4th Lumphun River Festival from 6–8 November 2022.

This year, the festival continues its mission to enhance sustainability across all dimensions—environmental, social, and governance (ESG)—while delivering tangible benefits to local communities. The event is organized by the community for the community, guided by the “B.W.R. Squared” strategy (Ban–Wat–Rongrian: Home–Temple–School) and supported by external partners.

Bangkok River Festival 2022 – The 8th Edition of Thailand’s Cultural Waterways Celebration Under the Theme “Rak Na Sai Nam” (Cherishing the River)

Mr. Ittipol Khunpluem, Minister of Culture, expressed his honor in joining the press conference for the Bangkok River Festival 2022 – The 8th Thai Cultural River Celebration. He stated that this annual event not only showcases Thailand’s beautiful traditions and shares the nation’s cultural heritage with the world, but also reflects the rich way of life of riverside communities — the cradle of Thailand’s diverse cultural identity.

The Minister emphasized that the festival supports the government’s policy to leverage Thai Soft Power and promote the Creative Economy, particularly in the field of cultural tourism. It aligns with the Ministry of Culture’s initiative to strengthen five potential Thai cultural industries — the “5Fs”: Food, Film, Fashion (including Thai textiles), Fighting (Muay Thai), and Festival (preserving and elevating local traditions to the global stage). By creatively integrating cultural capital into products and services, the festival aims to enhance economic value, generate sustainable income from cultural tourism, and bring benefits to communities and the nation.

The Bangkok River Festival 2022 will be held from 5–8 November 2022 under the theme “Rak Na Sai Nam” (Cherishing the River), offering visitors an immersive experience along the Chao Phraya River at 10 iconic piers that connect historic and cultural landmarks. This year, the festival extends to the banks of the Kuang River in Lamphun Province, where visitors can pay homage at temples, take part in Loy Krathong activities, and enjoy cultural performances and music in a stunning riverside night-time setting.

Professor Dr. Apinan Poshyananda, Chairman of the Arts and Culture Project at Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, the main supporter of the event, explained that the festival is more than a Loy Krathong celebration. Beyond expressing gratitude to the Goddess of the River (Phra Mae Khongkha), it has grown into a major international festival that enhances Thailand’s image to both domestic and international visitors.

Recalling the inaugural River Festival in 2014, which linked significant historical and cultural sites along the Chao Phraya, Prof. Dr. Apinan noted his personal connection to the event, having chaired the official press conference in his former role as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture. He credited Mr. Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, CEO of Thai Beverage, for his commitment to preserving and promoting Thailand’s sustainable cultural heritage, ensuring that the story of Thai identity continues to be shared with the world.

Mr. Surapol Svetasreni, Chairman of the Bangkok River Festival 2022, added that this year marks the continuation of a journey that began in 2014. The 8th edition, held from 5–8 November 2022, remains dedicated to preserving and enhancing Thai cultural traditions, adding value to the nation’s heritage through contemporary creativity. The festival also aligns with the government’s focus on cultural and community-based tourism, fostering a positive image and building traveler confidence.

Crucially, the festival emphasizes sustainability in three dimensions — environmental, social, and sustainable management — through the active participation of Ban, Wat, Rongrian (Home, Temple, School), as well as enterprises, community businesses, and government agencies under the B.W.R. x2 strategy. The festivities will span 10 contemporary piers along the Chao Phraya River, offering four days of vibrant cultural experiences.

OKLIN – Eco-Friendly Food Waste Composter
Turns food waste into dry fertilizer within 24 hours. It handles liquids without the need for separation, requires only a one-time microbial starter with no refills for its entire lifespan, and uses natural microbial decomposition that is safe for the environment. The process produces ready-to-use organic fertilizer and requires no filter changes, reducing hazardous waste. An Australian innovation, it is easy to use for both households and industrial applications.

Household model: 79,000 THB
Industrial model: Free site survey and waste volume assessment

Contact Line: @oklinthailand