Legal Measures for the Promotion and Protection of Arts and Culture: A Case Study of Buddhist Temple in the Area of Chiang-Rai Province, Thailand, Tachilek Province, Kengtung Province, Myanmar

Abstract

Nowadays, Buddhist temples are not only a place of practice for monks or novices or religious places and as a Buddhist symbolic, but also a place for preserving wisdom, art and culture which reflects their identity of people in this region. Therefore, it is suitable to study about the promotion, protection art and culture of Buddhist temples, to study about guidelines or legal measures for the promotion, protection art and culture related to Buddhist temples in the border areas of Thailand and to find other guidelines, forms and legal mechanisms for information and suggestion in order to protect the art and culture of Buddhist temples at the international level. As the ASEAN community is established, the art and culture of Buddhist temples, especially the Buddhist temples in the border areas of Chiang-Rai Province, Thailand, and Tachilek Province Including Chiang Tung Province Myanmar, in the future will become something that can be transmitted or passed between states.

            According to this research, it is found that the legal measures to promote and protect the arts and culture of temples in Buddhism of both countries (Thailand and Myanmar). At present, there is no law to promote, protect and preserve local arts and culture. However, there is only a rule for the Buddhist temple construction that focuses on building religious places for religious purposes and as a residence for Buddhist monks only. The researchers suggest that (Thailand Government) there should be promotion and protection of art and culture of Buddhist temples. Especially in the border areas of Thailand near Myanmar, by allowing people, communities and local government organizations to be able to play a role in the conservation, rehabilitation or promotion of local and national wisdom, art, culture, traditions and customs. Furthermore, Thailand Government shall establish legal provisions regarding the promotion and protection of art and culture of Buddhist temples in the future.