A setback in the heritage-conservation war

Something is seriously wrong in the conservation war between the Fine Arts Department and the historic Kalayanamit Temple in Bangkok. Their prolonged battle recently intensified after the department sought police help to halt the temple’s construction of new buildings. The department won court approval to demolish two pavilions that had been built without its permission. The new structures would have damaged heritage that dated back to the reign of King Rama III.

The Bangkok temple upset the department by dismantling 22 historic buildings. The demolition has gone on for over a decade and swept away a century-old pavilion and other structures, all of which had been given archaeological-heritage status in 2003. As a registered historical site, approval from the department was required before any changes to the structures could be made. Temple officials claim they were unaware of the heritage status and had unknowingly broken the rules. They also want police to take legal action against those demolishing its new structures, claiming that the two buildings were constructed with donations from followers and were therefore “religious property”. The department has filed charges against the abbot and is also seeking legal help to settle the matter.

The latest development saw workers rounded up to prevent further construction, and any contractors who continue the work face arrest. The department has also begun demolishing the new structure. The court’s ruling has ensured that conservation work on this early Rattanakosin Period temple can now go ahead.

The department decided to take legal action so as to set a precedent. Fortunately, they were alerted to the violations at the Kalayanamit Temple by locals who were aware of its heritage value. Sadly, while the case dragged on, historic buildings were destroyed. Now, two structures put up in their place have been pulled down on the department’s orders. It seems this is a lose-lose situation.

The tug of war between conservationists and developers has always been thus. Although historical sites such as the Kalayanamit Temple draw plenty of tourists to Thailand, those responsible often fail to realise how important it is to maintain the properties. Some people intentionally damage the sites for commercial gain while others merely do it through ignorance.

The country needs higher conservation standards and enforcement if its heritage treasures are to survive. The Fine Arts Department must not be left as a lone warrior in this battle. The business sector and the public must join hands in efforts to preserve Thailand’s past glories. Legal action should be the last line of defence in a fight taken up by ordinary Thais and businesspeople. If we all cherished historic art and architecture, it would be far easier to protect what we have.

Winning the conservation war will be an uphill battle for Thailand. The showdown between the Fine Arts Department and the temple may be a setback, but the tip-off from locals in the 

neighbourhood is a promising sign of public awareness. Much still needs to be done, because conservation is a continuous process. But with positive signs of a public spirit for the preservation of historical sites, there is light at the end of this tunnel.