San Don Ta: Dynamics, Roles, and Cultural Recreational Innovation

Abstract

In the contemporary social landscape where globalization and digital technology play a profound role, the San Don Ta tradition of the Thai-Khmer people has emerged as a cultural space that reflects both the continuity of traditional beliefs and adaptation to the modern era. This tradition is no longer confined to rituals of dedicating merit to ancestors but has expanded into a dynamic public and digital space. However, studies that view San Don Ta as a space for cultural recreation are still limited and require deeper analysis. Therefore, this article aims to 1) analyze the dynamics of the San Don Ta tradition as a cultural recreational space; 2) explain the role of recreational activities within the tradition; 3) synthesize the changes in the recreational dimension of the tradition from the past to the present under the influence of economics, society, and globalization; and 4) propose guidelines for the sustainable development of the San Don Ta tradition as a cultural recreational innovation. By synthesizing information from academic documents, conceptual analysis, and related theories, the study found that the San Don Ta tradition has evolved beyond a religious family ritual to become a recreational space that supports the holistic well-being of the people in terms of physical health, mental health, social relationships, and cultural identity. Various activities, from rituals using local music for healing to family gatherings for preparing food and offerings, as well as public processions and artistic performances, serve as relaxation, entertainment, and the cultivation of ethics simultaneously. At the same time, the transition to public festivals and digital spaces has opened up new dimensions for the creative economy and cultural tourism. These changes create new opportunities while also posing challenges to the preservation of traditional values. This article therefore proposes an integrated approach to well-being, identity, social capital, creative economy, technology, the environment, and participatory state policies to ensure that San Don Ta endures as both a local cultural heritage and a sustainable recreational innovation connected to the development of Thai society in the future.