Conserving Thailand's Wooden Built Heritage: Developments, Approaches, and Current Challenges

Abstract

This study investigated the developments and current status of stakeholders involved in preserving wooden heritage in Thailand, specifically from the government, private sectors, and academia. The methodologies consisted of documentary analyses, in-depth interviews, and on-site observations of wooden conservation sites. The findings revealed three periods in the development of wooden built heritage: government-led building registration, the evolution of conservation approaches by various stakeholders including private and academic entities, and a collaborative phase emphasizing intangible aspects such as craftsmanship. The study examined current wooden conservation approaches, expanding from traditional methods applied in registered buildings to contemporary and flexible conservation approaches in non-registered buildings. In the non-registered building type within the private sector, there was a need to assess multidimensional aspects beyond cultural values. The results also highlighted several challenges in the preservation of wooden built heritage in Thai context. Firstly, there was the issue of wood resource management. Secondly, the challenge arose in conservation mechanisms such as analyzing drawings, conducting proper surveys, and maintaining carpenter skills. Lastly, the challenge was also encountered in the maintenance of wooden built heritage. The study recommended conservation support for the private sector, addressing their lack of regulatory protection. Firstly, it proposed the implementation of flexible policies or regulations that are specifically designed for wooden heritage. Secondly, the study suggested establishing supportive information platforms dedicated to wood-related knowledge. Lastly, it emphasized the importance of raising public awareness in preserving wooden built heritage.