Thai Heritage Conservation Day and Commemorative Medals: Linking Policy, Culture and Symbolic Objects

This article aims to explain the significance and role of Thai Heritage Conservation Day as a cultural policy mechanism of the Thai state, in conjunction with the commemorative medals issued on the occasion of the 36th birthday anniversary of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on 2 April 1991. The study is based on official documentary sources and the detailed specifications of the commemorative medals, including their physical characteristics and symbolic elements presented on both obverse and reverse sides. The findings indicate that Thai Heritage Conservation Day serves as an important instrument in promoting public awareness of the value of cultural heritage. Meanwhile, the commemorative medals function as tangible media for disseminating cultural policy concepts to society. In particular, the inscription “Preserving Thai Heritage is Preserving the Nation” reflects a clear policy-oriented perspective that connects cultural heritage with national identity.