Research & Article

This research aimed to 1) study the current laws related to the promotion and conservation of Thailand’s intangible cultural heritage, 2) study problems arising from the enforcement of laws related to the promotion and conservation of Thailand’s intangible cultural heritage, and 3) find recommendations in developing laws related to the promotion and conservation of Thailand’s intangible cultural heritage. The research was conducted using the qualitative methodology through the researching of information from relevant documents and in-depth interviews with stakeholders, which comprised two groups; representatives from government agencies involved with the law enforcement and representatives in charge of the intangible cultural heritage of the central region of Thailand in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Ratchaburi and Phetchaburi Province. The research found that before the Promotion and Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage Act B.E. 2559 (2016) came into force, 318 items had been registered on the intangible cultural heritage list of Thailand. After the Act had come into force until now, 36 additional items were registered on the intangible cultural heritage list in 2018 and 2019. Some items were registered at the provincial level but were not nationally registered.