The Ministry of Culture's Fine Arts Department deserves praise for ruling out a mass eviction in its plan to demarcate areas surrounding the Phimai historical park in Nakhon Ratchasima as a conservation site.
The bold plan, which was announced on Oct 16, caused concern among locals as it will affect 1,665 families who have resided in the designated zone and now face the prospect of being booted out.
In a letter dated Oct 16, the department said it would formally demarcate the historic site within 30 days if local people had no objections.
This was followed by a wave of protests as locals prepared to petition the Administrative Court in opposition to the plan, which was made in accordance with Section 7 of the revised 1961 law on historical sites, art objects and museums.
Department chief Anant Chuchote moved to ease their concerns about being evicted and relocated, saying the 2,658-rai zone was demarcated to better conserve the park.
According to Mr Anant, this is necessary given that urbanisation in Phimai municipality has been rapid and unchecked. The agency needed to declare the whole area as a historic site to protect the national heritage.
He said economic activities that can affect the core site have become more widespread in recent years, with encroachment another concern.
The department is now in the process of nominating a Khmer-style temple built by King Suryavarman I, who ruled the ancient Khmer kingdom from 1006-1050AD, as a Unesco World Heritage site.
The Phimai site has tentatively secured a place on the Unesco list since 2004.
In vying for World Heritage status, the ministry department has incorporated the Ratchamanka route, which is believed to have been used since around the 12th century.
This connects the Phimai site and two temples -- Phanom Rung and Muang Tam in Buri Ram province -- with what remains from the ancient Khmer kingdom in what is now Cambodia's Siem Reap province. Ratchamanka means a royal road.
As part of the nomination process, the department must prepare a conservation action plan for Phimai and submit it to Unesco for approval.
Mr Anant makes a solid point in bringing the issue of rapid urbanisation in the area to the public's attention.
Nakhon Ratchasima, the second-most populous province after Bangkok, is growing quickly and serves as an economic centre for the northeast.
The designation of a conservation zone will give the department chief the power to regulate this large area of land, putting the brakes on untoward activities that may negatively affect the park and compromise conservation efforts there.
If it is to make the Phimai historical park and the Ratchamanka route eligible for World Heritage status, the department needs to pursue stringent conservation work which requires strict enforcement of town planning, including building codes.
The department must classify it as a conservation area and establish a buffer zone. The challenge will be keeping Phimai prosperous without ruining the historical site. More public education and awareness is needed. Public participation should also be encouraged to ensure the conservation project is a success.
Instead of looking at Phimai as an isolated case the department should seek opportunities to make this conservation plan a model highlighting how people and historical sites can coexist harmoniously. Once achieved this model can be applied to other historical sites nationwide, which would surely be in the best interests of the country.
