Anthropological Perspectives on Cultural Resource Management and Community Cultural Communication, The Ancient City of Wiang Lo, Phayao Province

Abstract

This article aims to present the application of anthropological research methods in exploring and analyzing cultural resources that reflect the identity of the Ancient City of Wiang Lo, Chun District, Phayao Province. Data were collected through ethnographic fieldwork and the Rapid Ethnography Community Assessment Program (RECAP). The anthropological cultural resource management process in this study emphasizes community participation in every stage, from data collection to planning and management design, based on the framework of Sayan Phraichanjit (2004), which covers knowledge creation, value assessment, conservation, dissemination, and revitalization of cultural resources. In addition, cultural maps and augmented reality (AR) technology were employed as tools to communicate, transfer, and enhance cultural learning. The findings reveal that the community possesses strong potential to manage its cultural resources sustainably alongside local economic development, as reflected in the establishment of community enterprises such as the “Wiang Lo Craft Group” and the “Wiang Lo Ancient City Cultural Tourism Group. This article highlights the importance of cultural resource management from an anthropological perspective that is responsive to community contexts and aligned with local needs.