Recent news reports about an oil exploration project which is a just a stone's throw away from Si Thep historical park in Phetchabun has shocked the Thai people. The project, if it isn't shot down, may dim the hopes of the site becoming a Unesco world heritage site. PLOENPOTE ATTHAKOR talks to well-respected scholar Phuthorn Bhumadhon about the hot topic.
A Khmer-styled stupa in the compound of Si Thep Historical Park in Phetchabun. Melalin Mahavongtrakul
The Si Thep vs oil exploration saga has become a major debate. In a bid to calm public anxiety, the Fine Arts Department (FAD) has assured that the company, Eco Orient Resources (Thailand), has agreed to adjust its exploration plan if the project has a negative impact on the archaeological structures. Is it too early for the department to rejoice? Should we still be worried?
I think the FAD's reaction to the case is superficial, a very shallow response. If we allow it to happen, it could become a norm, which is not acceptable. On top of that, the whole saga reflects the underlying problem in the work of the department which is tasked with the conservation of all archaeological and historical sites. Yet, the department seems to only focus on immediate matters, rather than handling it in a proactive manner. Such practices demonstrate a lack of professionalism and vision.
As we can see in this particular case, the department failed to demarcate a buffer zone for the historical park before the Department of Mineral Fuels awarded exploration concessions to the company. This is a cause for concern. By not establishing a buffer zone before, we can never be sure if any deal made later with the company will yield agreeable results. I am afraid some unscrupulous officials might exploit the situation by making a secret deal for personal gains.
In principle, when developers initiate a project that may affect a historical site where a buffer zone is not clearly set up, the FAD is obliged to examine all the documents and reports about the possible impacts on the site in question and see if the applicants follow the existing rules, and what is found in this step can be used as a basis for further decisions.
Does the Si Thep saga seem to show that the FAD has not taken buffer zone demarcation seriously?
The FAD is authorised to establish a buffer zone for each historical site. In principle, all historical sites have to have a clear, up-to-standard, buffer zone. This is a proactive measure that is also fair to business operators and developers, so they can know what to do and what not. The more important the historical site, the larger the buffer zone. But in practice, the FAD hardly ever exercises its authority in creating such zones and this explains why so many historical sites are under threat.
Another sad thing is that existing buffer zones in place are almost useless. According to the laws, a building control code is applied to construction in the radius of 20 metres from a historical site. That does not help much, not to mention that in many cases it's the state that has set a bad example. Take a look at the high-voltage electric poles around the Golden Mount in Ayutthaya, or road construction that encroaches upon historical walls or moats. It's sheer negligence by the state.
How important is the Si Thep historical park?
It is one of the two largest historical sites in the country. The other is Nakhon Pathom in the Central Plains. But for Si Thep, one of the most crucial elements that makes it significant is that the site has been detached from human settlement, helping prevent encroachment. Archaeological evidence found there is pure and clear and not significantly tainted.
While human settlement dates back to 3,000 years, what is known as the "Si Thep" era came into existence around 1,200-1,500 AD (around the 6th-11th centuries in the Buddhist Era). This is when Si Thep's unique characteristics were formed with a settlement in the heart of an area where the park is now located, linking to the Thamo Rat hill, which is a Buddhist landmark.
But archaeological artefacts found in this area represent different styles, from prehistoric to Khmer-influenced periods. Thanks to its strategic location, Si Thep is situated in the middle of a trans-peninsular route linking Bengal and Tonkin. Artefacts from various civilisations were discovered here including beads from South India, Persian-influenced statues, and inscriptions in Chinese, for example. The most distinctive are artefacts from 700-1,200 AD such as statues in Hindu and Buddhist styles that are reputed for their elegance and uniqueness that gained recognition from art historians as the "Si Thep School".
It seems the nomination of Si Thep as a Unesco world heritage site has alerted the public about the issue. Is heritage status really important?
Not really. The Thai state has a big illusion about world heritage status, thinking it's a global reward. But in reality, if we pin our hopes only on gaining world heritage status, it means we always depend on outside help for our heritage. That may be helpful for tourist promotion, but it is not sustainable. We must be aware that culture, which implies growing and nurturing of our mind, must come from inside, not pushed from the outside and it must be something natural. Under such circumstances, we can achieve sustainability.
I don't think world heritage status is really important.
Phuthorn Bhumadhon is an independent scholar.