Sabida, Minister of Culture, presided over the opening ceremony of the 2026 Phichit Long Boat Racing Tradition, competing for the royal trophy of His Majesty the King, preserving cultural heritage and reflecting the way of life of Phichit people connected to the waterways.
On 5 September 2026, reporters stated that on 4 September at 7:00 p.m., Ms. Sabida Thaiset, Minister of Culture, presided over the opening ceremony of the 2026 Phichit Long Boat Racing Tradition. Attendees included Mr. Pattaraphong Pattaraprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport; Ms. Thaniya Naipinit, Governor of Phichit Province; Ms. Thitnat Sombatsiri, Inspector General of the Ministry of Culture; Mr. Kris Pensupa, President of Phichit Provincial Administrative Organization; heads of government agencies; and local residents at Wat Tha Luang Royal Monastery, Mueang Phichit District, Phichit Province.
Phichit Province, in collaboration with the Phichit Provincial Administrative Organization, Wat Tha Luang Royal Monastery, and related agencies, organized this event to preserve valuable cultural heritage, highlighting the unique identity and longstanding bond between the way of life of Phichit people and the waterways.
On this occasion, the Minister of Culture visited the exhibition honoring His Majesty the King, viewed the Thai Royal Costume Show, the light and sound presentation on the history of the long boat racing tradition, and the contemporary folk musical play “Love Promise Across Two Worlds: Chalawan The Musical.”
Additionally, the event included exhibitions and sales of OTOP products and community goods, discounted local products from Phichit, and nightly performances by famous artists. The official royal trophy long boat race on the Nan River at Wat Tha Luang Royal Monastery will commence on Saturday, 5 September 2026.
