Research & Article

Cultural diversity has long been one of Bangkok’s defining characteristics, with local people representing an amalgamation of races and religions. Unfortunately, the development of the city has historically been tied to the interests of politicians and there is a lack of public dialog regarding Bangkok's diversity. The article discussed the implications of cultural rights regarding the conservation of Bangkok, beginning with a general introduction to the cultural rights in Thai society, followed by specific issues regarding cultural rights in old Bangkok, particularly in the designated area called Rattanakosin. It is argued that historic communities in the era of globalization need to adjust to keep up with the pace of change and that heritage conservation is just one of the many ways to do so. Furthermore, both the government and Thai society as a whole need to increase recognition of cultural rights and find ways to conserve important characteristics of a community within the context of modern day needs; maintaining cultural diversity and heritage is critical for any nation.