Cultural heritage conservation in Thailand

Last updated October 25, 2024

The conservation and management of Thailand's cultural heritage falls largely under the purview of the Fine Arts Department, under the framework of the Act on Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums, B.E. 2504 (1961). Under the law, the department has authority to manage and protect architectural sites (referred to as "ancient monuments" (Thai : โบราณสถาน, RTGS: borannasathan)), antiques (โบราณวัตถุ, borannawatthu) and objets d'art (ศิลปวัตถุ, sinlapawatthu) of significant artistic, historical, or archaeological value. It is also responsible for operating national museums for the safekeeping of such artefacts.^[1]As of September 2015^[update], the Department lists 5,678 ancient monuments, 2,087 of which have officially been registered (including 10 historical parks).^[2] It operates 43 national museums throughout the country.

Other institutions are also involved in the field, including universities, professional organizations, and public and private museums. Thailand signed the World Heritage Convention in 1987, and is home to three cultural World Heritage Sites: Ban Chiang Archaeological Site, the Historic City of Ayutthaya, and the Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns.

The conservation of heritage sites is often a contentious issue in Thailand, especially in cases involving private or religious property. Issues include looting, conflicting values between conservators and locals, lack of expertise, and lack of incentives for private owners to cooperate with conservation efforts.^[3]^[4] Lately, efforts to increase local involvement have resulted in several successful programmes.^{[ citation needed ]}

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San Chaopho Suea (Sao Chingcha) (Thai: ศาลเจ้าพ่อเสือ (เสาชิงช้า)) or San Chaopho Suea Phra Nakhon (ศาลเจ้าพ่อเสือพระนคร), usually shortened to San Chaopho Suea (ศาลเจ้าพ่อเสือ; simplified Chinese: 打恼路玄天上帝庙; traditional Chinese: 打惱路玄天上帝廟; pinyin: Dǎ nǎo lù xuán tiān shàngdì miào; commonly known in English as Tiger God Shrine) is a Chinese joss house located at 468 Tanao Road, San Chaopho Suea Sub-district, Phra Nakhon District in the old town Bangkok (Rattanakosin Island) near Sao Chingcha (Giant Swing) and Wat Mahannapharam with features the Southern Chinese architectural style. It is the shrine of Chaopho Suea (เจ้าพ่อเสือ; lit: Tiger God), according to the ancient Chinese belief and it is one of the most respected Chinese shrines in Bangkok and Thailand alike Wat Mangkon Kamalawat in Chinatown, especially during the Chinese New Year.

Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine is a historic Chinese joss house located at 257 Chakkraphet Road, Wang Burapha Phirom Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok near foot of Phra Pok Klao Bridge and Phahurat area, also known as Little India.

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References

↑ Act on Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums, B.E. 2504 (translation) (PDF). 1961. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
↑ "โบราณสถานทั่วราชอาณาจักร ขึ้นทะเบียน และไม่ขึ้นทะเบียน (ล่าสุด 3กย58)". Fine Arts Department. 3 September 2015. Archived from the original on 6 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
↑ Lertcharnrit, Thanik (2014). "Thailand: Cultural Heritage Management". In Smith, Claire (ed.). Encyclopedia of global archaeology. New York, NY: Springer. pp. 7287–7293. ISBN 978-1-4419-0465-2.
↑ Jansuttipan, Monruedee (31 May 2012). "Architectural Heritage Preservation in Bangkok". BK Magazine Online. Retrieved 5 January 2017.

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[1] Act on Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums, B.E. 2504 (translation) (PDF). 1961. Retrieved 5 January 2017.

[2] "โบราณสถานทั่วราชอาณาจักร ขึ้นทะเบียน และไม่ขึ้นทะเบียน (ล่าสุด 3กย58)". Fine Arts Department. 3 September 2015. Archived from the original on 6 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.

[3] Lertcharnrit, Thanik (2014). "Thailand: Cultural Heritage Management". In Smith, Claire (ed.). Encyclopedia of global archaeology. New York, NY: Springer. pp. 7287–7293. ISBN 978-1-4419-0465-2.

[4] Jansuttipan, Monruedee (31 May 2012). "Architectural Heritage Preservation in Bangkok". BK Magazine Online. Retrieved 5 January 2017.

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