The artists behind the scenes who make the costumes and the performers who talk, sing, play and perform all exhibit a high
understanding of Thai culture, Mr Vira said. The Department of Cultural Promotion will ask Unesco to certify khon as an item of intangible cultural heritage, he said. The government has reacted to Unesco's call for cultural preservation by giving full support to a new law related to cultural heritage. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also preparing to make Thailand a member of the Unesc-sponsored Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which has about 150 members.