I go by Hathairat Jiewjinda, a civil servant working in the field related to the socio-cultural landscape of Thailand. I am a member of the 14th cohort of CPI. During my time in South Korea, I worked as an official in charge of intangible cultural heritage at the Ministry of Culture. My role involved promoting cultural designation and supporting the development of cultural programs that build understanding and strengthen relations in Thailand. However, I have recently transferred to the Prime Minister's Office. My work is focusing on reducing inequality and promoting sustainable development, which encourages balanced development, self-reliance, and community empowerment. I explore and create knowledge that can drive practical solutions for social development at the local level, particularly in marginalized communities.

Recently, I was fortunate enough to receive a prestigious fellowship that allowed me to travel to South Korea for a Cultural Partnership Initiative program. This experience not only broadened my understanding of South Korea's vibrant cultural landscape but also provided valuable insights into the intersections of culture, and public policy. Here, I share some reflections on what I learned and the lasting impact this program has had on my work as a Cultural Officer.

As a Cultural Officer working within a government agency, my role involves promoting cultural heritage. This work requires a deep appreciation for both local traditions and global trends, as well as a strategic approach to engaging diverse audiences through cultural initiatives.

Through discussions and workshops, I learned how South Korea has successfully integrated its cultural exports into broader foreign policy strategies, creating a powerful tool for global influence. I was particularly struck by how South Korea’s cultural diplomacy focuses not just on promoting Korean culture but on building long-term cultural relationships and collaborations with countries around the Asia Pacific.

Furthermore, living in South Korea provided me with a wealth of experiences in a short period of time. Although my main purpose was to learn about the management of intangible cultural heritage, I ended up learning so much more—like the Korean language, food, Hanbok clothing, and the Hanok village of Koreans. I also gained insight into their work ethic, how they spend their leisure time, and how hiking on weekends is a popular activity because they really value health. All of these elements are part of their culture. The ICHCAP, as the co-host in Jeonju, played a significant role in organizing various activities that enriched our experience, both academically and socially. In addition, through this K-Office program, we had the opportunity to get to know participants from different countries, learn about what they had studied, and offer help to one another. These small things have bonded us together, and we are still connected to this day. This is what impressed me the most—the way the program helped build a lasting bond between us, even after the training had ended.

Deciding to join the CPI Program is an opportunity for me to learn about the management of intangible cultural heritage in South Korea, a country that has made significant progress and grown rapidly in this area. Do you know, I first became familiar with Korea through the dramas Dae Jang Geum and Coffee Prince. That's why I’ve always wanted to experience the Korean way of life for myself. When I see this as an opportunity, I should not turn down. I expect that spending several months abroad will not only teach me the working methods, work cultural but also the lifestyle of the people there, and allow me to exchange ideas and build friendships with fellow participants from other countries.

Absolutely. During my time there, I learned that the process of designation intangible cultural heritage takes a long time, and in some cases, it can take more than two years or may not even be designated at all. This is because they add an extra step to verify the work with local communities before proceeding. In contrast, in my agency’s previous operations, we would set a timeline and strive to complete everything within the specified time frame. What I learned there has helped me apply a new approach to my current work—that the process should be carried out with passion, considering all stakeholders, even those outside the office, as an essential part of the working mechanism. Otherwise, no matter how well the content is analyzed, if people who will be affected or who are meant to benefit from our projects do not value them, the project will be useless.