There are multiple art forms for individuals to express themselves, whether that’s through the spitting of bars or the movement of bodies. There are no limits when it comes to self-expression, and it’s been that way for a long time. What’s even better is when the government decides to back and support an artistic expression, which is the case for Thailand.

Earlier in August, the Thai dance troupe won 36 prizes at the UDO World Street Dance Championships 2022 held in Blackpool, England. They won for Team Under 12, Solo Under 16, Solo Under 18, Super Crew, and the biggest award, Ultimate Advanced, which came with a nearly US$12,000 prize.

This prompted the Bangkok governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, to start backing street dance culture in the country's capital. According to The Thaiger, Sittipunt said on November 7, “Bangkok wants to support this kind of activity because it is a matter of health, creativity, and people’s confidence. It helped build people’s unique identities.”

He went on to declare that Bangkok will provide the space for street dancers to utilize, even though there is no date in place for this to happen. Sittipunt said that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will be working on it, alongside a potential competition called the Bangkok Cup in the future.

In a Thai Newsroom report, the governor also said, “While we may not be dancing for the rest of our lives, doing so instills discipline and promotes assertiveness which are the basis of many other professions.”

It’s amazing to see an art form being nurtured and having a positive culture cultivated by a country’s government, and we may just yet see The Land of Smiles turn into a hub for dancers.