Legal Measures to Conserve and Develop Historical Cities: A Case Study of Phimai Historical City, Phimai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

               The objectives of this research were to study the concepts of the conservation and development of the old city and foreign legal measures used in the conservation and development of the old city, to study and analyze the problems of the legal measures of Thailand related to urban conservation and development, to suggest solutions to problems in preserving and developing the old town, and to propose appropriate legal measures for conserving and developing Phimai historical city. This research was a qualitative research using documented observational studies, field surveys, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Data were collected from 20 informants from in-depth interviews and 12 focus group discussions, a total of 32 informants. The researcher analyzed the data by content analysis and interpretive analysis.

               The results of the research revealed that 1) there were problems in the enforcement of the Act on Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums, B.E. 2504, 2) there were problems in the management of the Phimai historical city, and 3) there were problems in participation of people in the area to preserve and develop the historical city. Guidelines for resolving the problem include: 1) amend the definition under Section 4 of the Act on Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums, B.E. 2504 (Amendment No. 2, 1992) to be clear and set the penalty for civil and criminal matters to be higher, 2) Phimai Municipality should issue ordinances to preserve and promote area by creating a comprehensive town plan and set up land use regulations and create a master plan consistent with the identity and context of Phimai Historical Town to become guidelines for land utilization, transportation, public utilities and conservation planning utilities in specific areas, 3) have legal measures to promote or incentivize participation in the preservation and development of the historical city, 4) enforce law strictly, rigorously and equally without discriminating against people unfairly, and 5) create knowledge and understanding, cultivating collective consciousness, and building a network and coordinating knowledge from all sectors in conserving ancient sites and historical cities.