Yala: The Ministry of Culture invites you to experience the charm of "Asura Samphan" (Asura Festival of Unity) in 5 southern border provinces, elevating this festival of faith and generating income for the community. The Ministry of Culture, through the Department of Religious Affairs, invites the public and tourists to experience the charm of the "Making Asura Dessert" tradition, one of the valuable cultural heritages of the Thai Muslim community.
According to Thai News Agency, the 'Ashura Festival and Welcoming the Hijri New Year 1448' project, under the 'Charm of Colors, Festival of Faith' initiative, was held in the provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Satun, and Songkhla to preserve fine traditions, promote religious and cultural tourism, generate income for communities, and foster harmony in the multicultural society of the southern border provinces. Ms. Sabida Thaiseth, Minister of Culture, revealed that the Ministry of Culture is driving the policy "Thailand Builds Cultural Power, Creates Happiness, Builds the Future," aiming to leverage cultural capital to create economic value through festivals, traditions, and local identities.
The Minister of Culture stated that the Department of Religious Affairs has integrated cooperation with the provincial cultural offices of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Satun, and Songkhla, religious leaders, network organizations, and religious followers. In the area, religious traditions are being promoted through the third annual Ashura Solidarity Project, aimed at preserving the tradition. The preparation of Ashura dessert and community involvement further develops this festival of faith into an important event.
The area has designated two categories for the provincial-level Asura dessert-making competition: traditional and creative. The winning teams and first runners-up from each category will represent the province in the 5-province southern regional competition, which this year is hosted by Yala province. The final round of the competition will be held on July 12, 2026, as part of the Yala Central Maulid Celebration for the Hijri year 1448, at the office of the Islamic Committee of Yala Province, Mueang Yala District, Yala Province.
Besides the Asura stirring competition, the event also features other interesting activities, including exhibitions and selling community products and cultural goods, an exhibition of knowledge about the Ashura festival, and activities. Interreligious relations include academic seminars by experts from both Thailand and abroad, as well as unique cultural performances from each province, providing tourists with the opportunity to learn about the way of life, the faith, and identity of Thai Muslim communities.
The Minister of Culture further stated that the Ministry of Culture aims to promote the Ashura Festival as one of the country's important festivals, building upon religious and cultural assets. The project aims to promote tourism and generate income for communities while also showcasing the unique identity and cultural traditions of the southern border provinces to both Thai and international tourists, and fostering mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence in a multicultural society.
The schedule for the provincial-level Asura dessert-making competition is as follows: Songkhla Province on July 2, 2026, at Ban Phli Tai Mosque, Na Thawi District; Satun Province on July 2, 2026, at the Office of the Islamic Committee of Satun Province, Mueang Satun District; Pattani Province on July 4, 2026, at the Office of the Islamic Committee of Pattani Province, Mueang Pattani District; Narathiwat Province on July 7, 2026, at the Office of the Islamic Committee of Narathiwat Province, Mueang Narathiwat District; and Yala Province on July 11, 2026, at the Office of the Islamic Committee of Yala Province, Mueang Yala District.
The Ministry of Culture therefore invites the public, tourists, and those interested to experience the atmosphere: Watch the Asura dessert-making competition, sample local dishes, shop for community products, and participate in religious activities and culture, as well as learning about the way of life of Thai Muslim communities in the southern border provinces, to work together in preserving important religious traditions and cultural heritage, fostering harmony, and sustainably driving the grassroots economy through the power of faith and culture.