Abstract
Archaeology, as part of cultural heritage management, has recently become very important for economic development in Thailand and similarly economically disadvantaged countries elsewhere in Southeast Asia (Bautista 2007; Fine Arts Department 1988; Paz 2007; Peleggi 2002; Shoocongdej 1992). This seems to be linked to the popularity and growth of tourism in the capitalist world of globalization. Consequently, there has been increased interest in the rescue, protection, conservation, and restoration of archaeological sites in Southeast Asian countries, especially for sites closely tied to the recent history of each nation. This paper seeks to explore the complexities in the relationship between archaeology and the public that have generated such trends in cultural heritage management in Thailand.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bautista, A.P., 2007, The Development of the Tabon Archaeological Cave Complex, Quezon, Palawan, Towards Nation Building in the Phuilippines. In Proceedings of the International Seminar on Archaeology and Nation Building, pp. 47–51. Pusat Penyelidikan Arkeologi Malaysia, University of Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang.
Bechstedt, H. and Legsomboon, W., 2004, Global Economy and Social Networking –A Case Study from Northern Thailand. Paper presented for the international conference on “Impact of Globalization, Regionalism and Nationalism on Minority People in SEA.” November 15–17, 2004, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Charoenwongsa, P., 2003, CRM for Tourism. A lectured presented at the SEAMEO-SPAFA workshop on “Cultural Resources Management of Tourism.” Bangkok.
Cohen, E., 2001, Thai Tourism: Hill Tribes, Islands, and Open-ended Prostitution. White Lotus, Bangkok.
Connors, M.K., 2005, Democracy and the Mainstreaming of Localism in Thailand. In Southeast Asian Responses to Globalization, edited by F. Loh Kok Wah and J. Öjendal, pp. 259–286. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore.
Darvill, T., 2006, Public Archaeology: A European Perspective. In A Companion to Archaeology, edited by J. Bintliff, pp. 409–434. Blackwell, Malden.
Fine Arts Department, 1988, Sukhothai the City of Phra Ruang (in Thai with English summary). Fine Arts Department, Bangkok.
Gorman, C., 1970, Excavations at Spirit Cave, North Thailand. Asian Perspectives 13: 79–107.
Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, 1991, Thai Heritage. Graphic Format, Bangkok.
Green, T. J., 2008, Cultural Resource Management. In Handbook of Archaeological Theories, edited by R.A. Bentley, H.D.G. Maschner, and C. Chippindale, pp. 375–394. AltaMira, Lanham.
Loethanawanit, D., 2006, From Pang Mapha to Pai: Towards Tourism Development Avenue. In Dynamics of Social, Culture, and Environment in Highland Pang Mapha (in Thai), edited by R. Shoocongdej, pp. 473–492. Ruen Keaw Press, Bangkok.
Moser, S., Darren, G, Phillips, J.E., el Nemr, L.N., Niysam, M.S, Aiesh, R.N., Rochardson, S., Conner, A., and Seymour, M., 2002, Transforming Archaeology Through Practice: Strategies for Collaborative Archaeology and the Community Archaeology Project at Quseir, Egypt. World Archaeology 34(2): 220–248.
Nagavajara, C., 2004, Modernization and Cultural Heritage: Old Dilemma? In Fervently Mediating: Criticism from a Thai Perspective, pp. 51–68. Commanad Press, Bangkok.
Natapintu, S., 2007, Contribution of archaeology to the quality of life improvement at the village of Ban Pong Manao, Lopburi province, central Thailand. In Proceedings of the International Seminar on Archaeology and Nation Building, pp. 2–231. Pusat Penyelidikan Arkeologi Malaysia, University of Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang.
Paz, V., 2007, Public Archaeology in Mindoro and the Improvement of a Philippine National/Cultural Consciousness. In Proceedings of the International Seminar on Archaeology and Nation Building, pp. 52–65. Pusat Penyelidikan Arkeologi Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang.
Peleggi, M., 2002, The Politics of Ruins and the Business of Nostalgia. White Lotus Press, Bangkok.
Prishanchit, S., 2005, Community Archaeology: Past Management and Community Development (in Thai). Community Archaeology, Bangkok.
Santasombat, Y., 2001, Ecotourism, Cultural Diversity, and Natural Resource Management. Nopburee, Chiang Mai.
Shoocongdej, R., 1992, Conversations Across the Continent. In Southeast Asian Archaeology International Newsletter 2, edited by E. Bacus and R. Shoocongdej, pp. 2–4. Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Shoocongdej, R., 2007, Archaeology and “A Modern Nation-State Building” in Thailand. In Proceedings of the International Seminar on Archaeology and Nation Building, pp. 32–41. Pusat Penyelidikan Arkeologi Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang.
Skeates, R., 2000, Debating the Archaeological Heritage. Duckworth, London.
Tainter, J., 2006, Persistent Dilemmas in American Cultural Resource Management. In A Companion to Archaeology, edited by J. Bintliff, pp. 435–453. Blackwell, Malden.
Vallibhodama, S., 1989, Ancient Settlement of Sukhothai State (in Thai with English Summary). Thammasart University Press, Bangkok.
Acknowledgments
Our projects were made possible by the support of a number of grants and with the collaboration and assistance of many institutions and people. Financial support for archaeological heritage management at Ban Rai and Tham Lod rockshelters has been provided by the US Ambassador’s Funds for Cultural Preservation 2006. Funding for research at the Ban Rai and Tham Lod rockshelters by the Highland Archaeology Project in Pang Mapha (HAAP) was provided by Thailand Research Funds (TRF) during 1998–2006 and the Archaeological Exploration and Sustainable Heritage Management in Pai-Pang Mapha-Khun Yuam Project (PPK) was also funded by TRF during 2007–2009. A debt of gratitude is owed to the local people at Ban Rai and Tham Lod villages. I would especially like to thank Dr Tristine Smart for her comments on an earlier version of this report. Finally, my special thanks and appreciation go to my wonderful research team and art project team. Without good teamwork, the projects would never have been accomplished.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Shoocongdej, R. (2011). Public Archaeology in Thailand. In: Okamura, K., Matsuda, A. (eds) New Perspectives in Global Public Archaeology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0341-8_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0341-8_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-0340-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-0341-8
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawSocial Sciences (R0)