Socio-Cultural Knowledge Dynamics and Intangible Heritage Preservation

This study considers the cultural significance of Phleng-Reung Nang-Hong, a ceremonial suite in Thai traditional music, often played at funerals. It explores its historical roots, development from the Phleng Nang-Hong, and integration of diverse Thai musical styles. The objective of this study is to analyze the historical development of Phleng-Reung Nang-Hong from Phleng Nang-Hong and to evaluate the cultural, social, and institutional factors that sustain or diminish its contemporary use in funerary contexts. The research employs a qualitative, ethnomusicological methodology, gathering data through interviews with academic experts, and key informants from Thai music schools and governmental agencies. This analysis highlights how the suite’s compositions, structures, and performance practices preserve and animate Thai cultural identity across generations. By examining this musical tradition as a living form of intangible cultural heritage, the study offers broader insights into how ritual culture evolves, survives, and maintains relevance amid socio-cultural transformations. Overall, this study enriches contemporary understanding of Phleng-Reung Nang-Hong’s historical, societal, and developmental dimensions within Thai society, examining its role as a vibrant component of Thailand’s dynamic traditional culture. The findings identify changes within the institutional framework of Thai society, where familial, religious, and state patronage together shape and sustain musical traditions. These findings have implications for global discussions on the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, particularly in how traditional performance practices can adapt to changing social contexts while maintaining cultural continuity. The value of Phleng-Ruang Nang-Hong, thus encompasses six aspects: aesthetic value, knowledge and skill development, cultural value, social value, educational value, and national value.