#CulturalHeritage

Tunisia’s culturally rich island of Djerba confronts an unprecedented convergence of existential challenges as mass tourism pressures, institutional neglect, and accelerating climate change impacts combine to threaten one of the Mediterranean’s most significant multicultural heritage sites. This crisis encompasses not merely architectural preservation concerns but the fundamental survival of centuries-old traditional ways of life, creating urgent implications for heritage conservation efforts throughout Southeast Asia and beyond, including Thailand’s own vulnerable cultural landscapes.

Agriculture and tourism are merging in Maui County, where agri-tourism is now allowed as an accessory use in most agricultural districts. Moloka‘i remains an exception, reflecting respect for local values and farming traditions. This shift positions farms as destinations for learning about food, sustainable practice, and everyday rural life, offering a potential blueprint for Thailand’s rural diversification.

The policy signals that farms can be engines of tourism, not just production. Tasting rooms, guided farm tours, and farm-hosted events can boost revenue and raise awareness of agriculture’s role in communities. The Moloka‘i exception highlights a careful balance between development and preserving local culture.

Maui County has taken a significant legislative step to strengthen agricultural tourism, now permitting “ag-tourism” as an accessory use in its agricultural districts, with the notable exception of Molokaʻi, according to a recent report by Maui Now. The change reflects broader trends in rural economies worldwide and offers valuable perspectives for Thailand as the Kingdom seeks to diversify tourist experiences and uplift rural incomes.

The move by Maui’s county council is a response to the growing recognition that farms can be much more than just places of production; they are also destinations where travelers can learn about local cuisine, sustainable agriculture, and traditional lifestyles. This shift, known as agricultural tourism or agri-tourism, is significant for rural regions’ sustainability, combining income generation for farmers with cultural exchange and environmental education. In Maui’s case, the expansion does not extend to Molokaʻi, reflecting local community sentiment and unique agricultural traditions on this less-developed Hawaiian island.

Tourism in Japan is soaring in 2025, with millions of international travelers flocking to major cities and iconic sites. Yet the spike creates crowd pressures for residents and visitors alike. A growing narrative points to traditional gardens as peaceful counterpoints to bustling itineraries. These serene spaces offer respite during peak seasons and provide a culturally rich alternative to crowded hotspots.

In early 2025, Japan welcomed around 14.4 million international arrivals in just four months, a 24.5% increase year over year. Analysts project annual totals could surpass 40 million, marking a new milestone for the country’s travel sector. The surge boosts local economies and cultural exchange, but it also raises concerns about overtourism and congestion at popular sites.

Japan is experiencing an unprecedented tourism surge in 2025, with record-breaking numbers of international visitors flocking to its major cities, historical landmarks, and global cultural icons. Yet as the nation grapples with the double-edged sword of economic gain and overtourism fatigue, new research and travel narratives are highlighting a calming solution: the country’s lesser-known but culturally essential gardens, which promise a tranquil escape for both domestic and international tourists during even the most crowded peak seasons.

Thailand’s tourism sector is rebuilding with a clear objective: lasting recovery and inclusive growth. New analyses show the shift from mass arrivals to a model that centers value, safety, and local authenticity. The insights highlight how the pandemic disrupted livelihoods and how smart policies can guide a more resilient comeback.

Before the crisis, Thailand welcomed a record 40 million visitors in 2019, with tourism contributing around 20% of GDP and supporting millions of jobs. International travelers typically spent more per person than domestic visitors, fueling growth in hotels, dining, and retail. The pandemic froze travel, devastating both major hubs and small operators dependent on visitor spending.

A wave of visitors to Japan shows no sign of slowing in early 2025. While famous markets in Tokyo and bamboo groves in Kyoto draw crowds, many travelers now seek quieter experiences that deepen cultural understanding. Recent travel analysis highlights traditional Japanese gardens as spaces for immersion at a gentler pace, providing relief from congestion and a more affordable route to engaging with the country’s heritage.

Thai audiences remain keen on Japan, especially during school holidays and sakura season. Families, solo explorers, and couples aim to visit iconic temples and entertainment districts, yet often encounter long queues and rushed moments. Data from official tourism bodies suggests a shift toward exploring lesser-known gardens that blend history with tranquility.

With Japan’s tourism industry surging to unprecedented levels—welcoming a record 14.4 million visitors in the first four months of 2025 alone according to The Japan Times—travelers from around the world continue to flock to the Land of the Rising Sun for its iconic cherry blossoms, culinary delights, and historic temples. As global wanderers pack famous locales like Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market and Kyoto’s bamboo groves, a growing number of tourists are seeking alternatives to crowded sites. Recent travel experiences and expert observations indicate that Japan’s centuries-old gardens offer a practical and affordable solution for those longing for genuine immersion and tranquility amid surging tourist numbers (The Japan Times).

Cilantro, known as phak chee in Thai, brightens tom yum, elevates larb, and finishes many street-side soups. A small but vocal segment of diners finds its flavor soapy. New research shows this aversion is genetic, not simply a personal preference, offering a fresh lens on how Thais experience food.

In Thai cuisine, cilantro’s citrusy zing is celebrated for lifting dishes from sour to savory. Yet the soapy bitterness has puzzled cooks and diners for years. Research indicates that genetic differences influence how cilantro tastes to different people.

For many Thais, cilantro (known locally as phak chee) is inseparable from everyday cuisine — sprinkled on tom yum, incorporated into larb, or simply used as a fresh garnish on soups and street-side noodles. Yet, a curious minority recoil at its presence, describing its taste as reminiscent of soap. Recent research confirms this odd aversion is grounded in genetics rather than culinary preference, reshaping our understanding of food appreciation in Thailand and globally.

In Thailand, forests are shrinking. Yet a faith-driven conservation movement is growing, led by Buddhist monks in saffron robes who perform tree ordination ceremonies. The goal is to treat certain trees as protectors of the forest, fostering local pride and collective action against logging and development.

The practice, known locally as buat ton mai, illustrates how religion and ecology intersect in Southeast Asia. As deforestation alters rivers and wildlife habitats, communities view these rituals as both devotion and environmental advocacy. The ceremonies empower residents to defend ecologically important sites and encourage broader conservation efforts.

After decades of isolation due to war and political upheaval, Angola’s pristine natural wonders—largely untouched by mass tourism—are now stepping into the global spotlight. CNN Travel’s recent in-depth feature reveals how this vast southern African nation is opening its doors to travellers, offering a spectacular array of landscapes and cultural heritage that, until recently, few outsiders had witnessed firsthand (CNN Travel).

Angola, double the size of Texas, boasts a wealth of dramatic scenery, from dazzling Atlantic beaches and mysterious lunar-like rock formations to expansive national parks. The country has begun investing in tourism infrastructure, with new roads, accommodations, and tour operators enabling safer and easier access to its remote interior. For Thai travellers—already seasoned in exploring Southeast Asia’s wonders—the emergence of Angola as a fresh destination offers not only geographical diversity but also a fascinating case study of how a nation recovers, rewilds, and reimagines itself for a sustainable tourist future.

Angola is stepping into the international spotlight as its pristine landscapes emerge from decades of conflict. A recent CNN Travel feature showcases a country ready to welcome visitors with dramatic coastlines, lunar-like rock formations, and expansive national parks that have long been off the beaten path.

Covering about the size of Texas, Angola is investing in tourism infrastructure—from safer roads to mid-range lodges and local tour operators—making remote interiors accessible for curious explorers. For Thai travelers, seasoned in Southeast Asia’s wonders, Angola offers a fresh blend of natural variety and a compelling story of recovery, rewilding, and sustainable development.

A recent travel story on a 14-day Asian cruise from Singapore to Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Vietnam is putting multi-destination voyages back in the spotlight, offering Thai tourism stakeholders valuable lessons for attracting regional travelers and boosting cross-border tourism. Shared through the account of international travelers on the Mercury News, the journey highlights iconic cultural and natural heritage sites—particularly Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay—and reveals logistics, safety tips, and economic opportunities for Southeast Asian nations, including Thailand.

A new travel feature spotlights a 14-day Asian cruise from Singapore to Bangkok, stopping in Hong Kong, Vietnam, and other highlights. The journey emphasizes dramatic coastline scenery and cultural landmarks, with Ha Long Bay receiving particular praise for its limestone karsts and caves. The piece also provides practical advice on logistics, safety, and the growing economic opportunities for Southeast Asia, including Thailand, as regional travelers seek immersive experiences.

The itinerary’s extended visits to Vietnam’s major hubs—Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Hue, and Ha Long Bay—signal a shift toward slow, culturally rich travel across Asia. Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is celebrated for guided boat excursions and reliable visitor services. Data from UNESCO confirms the area’s outstanding natural value and the infrastructure that supports tourism.

Inao, known in Thai as อิเหนา, stands as one of Southeast Asia’s most cherished pieces of classical literature. Its tale blends love, fate, royal duty, and political intrigue, captivating Thai audiences for generations. Rooted in the Javanese Panji stories, the narrative traveled to the Siamese court in Ayutthaya and was refined by royal poets of the Rattanakosin era. To truly understand its drama, readers should become acquainted with the main characters—their motives and how they reflect social ideals of their time.

Krai Thong is one of Thailand’s most enduring literary epics, blending adventure, romance, and the supernatural with timeless moral lessons. Rooted in Phichit province’s folklore and later celebrated in royal verse and various adaptations, the tale explores courage, cunning, and the complexities of love and rivalry. For many Thais, Krai Thong is more than a crocodile-hunting adventure; it’s a meditation on duty, bravery, and the tangled web of human and non-human relationships.

The Ramakien is Thailand’s national epic, deeply woven into the nation’s culture, art, and literature. Adapted from the Indian Ramayana, it reflects a uniquely Thai blend of Hindu and Buddhist motifs, royal tradition, and local creativity. For Thai readers and curious travelers alike, understanding who’s who in the Ramakien helps decode temple murals, khon performances, and contemporary storytelling.

The tale centers on Phra Ram, his loyal brother Phra Lak, and Hanuman, the brave monkey general, as they strive to rescue Nang Sida from the demon king Thotsakan. Along the journey, a diverse cast—gods, demons, animals, and magical beings—explore themes of love, loyalty, heroism, and the consequences of pride. This guide highlights the major figures through context that resonates with Thai culture and modern life.

Thai literature shines in the epic Sang Thong (The Golden Conch), a tale that audiences encounter in schoolbooks, Likay theater, traditional puppetry, and modern TV dramas. Its memorable cast carries symbolism about virtue, justice, and social values that resonate with Thai culture. This revision presents the characters with clear context for today’s readers, weaving Thai perspectives into the narrative.

Sang Thong: The Golden Conch’s Hero and the Power of Inner Merit Prince Sang Thong is born of divine lineage but faces a harsh fate that requires him to hide his true self. In disguise as Chao Ngo, he confronts prejudice linked to appearance. He proves his worth by wit, courage, and a strong sense of justice, passing the king’s difficult trials during a royal competition. Princess Rotchana’s independent choice marks his eventual recognition and transformation. The tale celebrates the idea that true merit can emerge from under an unpromising exterior, a message that echoes the Thai proverb about not judging by appearances. Contemporary adaptations keep this core message alive, using Sang Thong to illustrate perseverance and moral courage.

Thai readers know the legend of Kaki as a cautionary tale that blends ancient Indian roots with distinct local flair. Adapted during the late 18th century under King Rama I, it draws from the Kakati Jataka of the Pali Canon. Over generations, the story has sparked debate about beauty, virtue, desire, and the consequences that follow. In Thai slang, the name kaki has sometimes been used pejoratively to describe a woman with multiple lovers, a modern misread of a narrative where the heroine is repeatedly a victim of circumstance rather than a simple symbol of lust.

The legendary narrative of “Phra Lor” (พระลอ), one of the most revered works in Thai classical literature, continues to captivate readers with its potent blend of romance, politics, fate, and tragedy. This article unveils the core characters of this celebrated tale, explaining their roles and significance within the context of Thai cultural heritage. The timeless nature of these archetypes and the emotional depth of their intertwined stories provide not only entertainment for generations of Thai readers but also valuable lessons on the complexities of love, loyalty, and the consequences of rivalry.

Phra Lor is one of Thailand’s most cherished classics, weaving romance, politics, fate, and tragedy into a narrative that still resonates today. This revision highlights the principal figures and their significance within Thai cultural heritage, offering a sharper, more engaging view for readers across Thailand. The enduring archetypes and their intertwined destinies provide both entertainment and lessons on love, loyalty, and the costs of rivalry.

Rooted in Lanna oral traditions and later expressed in the lilit poetic form, Phra Lor centers on a virtuous king and two princesses whose forbidden affection toppled kingdoms and tested loyalties. Kai Kaew, a clever confidante, quietly orchestrates much of the action, underscoring themes of wit, agency, and social ambition. Together, these characters illuminate how personal longing intersects with duty and power in Thai history and culture.

Inao, known in Thai as “อิเหนา,” is among the most celebrated masterpieces of classical Thai literature. Its tale—woven with themes of love, fate, royal duty, and rivalry—has captivated Thai audiences for centuries. Based on the Javanese Panji stories, the narrative found its place in the Siamese court during the Ayutthaya period and was later adapted and refined by royal poets of the Rattanakosin era. But to fully grasp the drama’s depth, it’s crucial to know its key characters—their roles, motivations, and how they reflect the social ideals and dilemmas of their era.

In the dazzling tapestry of Thai literature, the epic tale of “Sang Thong” (The Golden Conch) remains among the most beloved and widely adapted narratives. Filled with magic, family intrigue, and moral lessons, the story’s distinctive cast of characters continues to inspire audiences in Thailand and beyond, through schoolbooks, Likay theater, traditional puppet shows, and modern television dramas. Understanding who is who in this classic saga is key to appreciating not only the story itself but also the broader values and beliefs embedded in Thai culture.