Research & Article

Since its foundation, preservation has been a primary concern of the Siam Society. Initially, emphasis was placed on the preservation of Thailand through written and oral sources, however, the Society began to also focus on natural and man-made heritage around its second half-century. In 1960 the society founded a Research Centre to pursue investigation and conversation projects, the findings of which were documented in many Journal Siam Society articles of this decade. In 1963, the Siam Society acquired the Kamthieng House, which opened as Thailand’s first ethnological museum three years later. The organization continued its preservation work by expanding its collections of Thai artifacts, conducting research related to conservation projects and providing support to groups protecting Thailand’s heritage. Furthermore, the Siam Society encouraged the restoration of both historical monuments and culturally significant artworks throughout the country.  This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Siam Society’s Role in conservation prior to the founding of its Siamese Heritage Protection Program in 2011.