Who owns the past? A perspective from Chiang Saen, Thailand

Chiang Saen is an early Buddhist community in northern Thailand, dating from the fourteenth century. It is regarded as an important historic site and, therefore, as deserving of preservation and protection. A preservation plan for this ancient town, proposed by the Thai Fine Arts Department, has been in operation since 1957. Forty years of attempts to develop the site have seen profound differences in attitude between local people and the government archaeologists and technicians. Problems such as looting, damage to and deterioration of the ruins, and site encroachment have hampered heritage management in the area. Research on the management of the site was conducted in summer 1996 and winter 1997, revealing a number of reasons why this well-intended preservation project has met difficulties. The problems encountered revolve around the question: Who owns the past?'. Government officials conducting CRM work at the site often blame local people for not cooperating with an 'official government project', and for failing to understand the informational value of the site. Local people take a different view: they understand that the site and/or archaeological remains found there belong to the government, so they believe it is the government's responsibility to take care of them. They do not feel a sense of ownership for the cultural property. Interviews with local people suggest that public education and interpretation must be taken seriously. Local people are ready and willing to help if they feel they have a stake in the CRM programme. Any possible cooperation and assistance from the residents lies in the government's ability to answer the question of ownership of the past in a way that includes local people.