Country Reportof The Thai National Committee on

Memory of the World Programme of UNESCO

Rachabodin SuwannakanthiNational Electronics and Computer Technology Center

Training Workshop on MOW Awareness-Raising and Advocacyfor National MOW Committee and Young Associates in Asia and the Pacific

1-3 March 2010, Bayview Hotel, Manila

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Contents

• Background and Term of Reference

• National Committee and Sub-Committee

• Activities

• Conclusion

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Background

• Thailand has been participating in the Memory of the World Programme of UNESCO since 1992

• The first Thai National Committee on the Memory of the World Programme of UNESCO was founded on 1993

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Background

The current committee has been approved in December 2008 and

Professor Khunying Maenmas Chavalitwas appointed chair of the committee.

Professor Khunying Maenmas Chavalit

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Terms of Reference

The Thai National Committee on the Memory of the World has

responsibility for the overall management of the program in

Thailand and

• To coordinate and propose nominations to the International Memory of the World Register

• To work in close collaboration with the Regional Memory of the World Committee

• To maintain the National Memory of the World Register.

• To raise the awareness of and promotes the Memory of the World Program in Thailand

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The Thai National MOW Committee

Ministry of Education

Ministry of Culture

Individuals

Ministry of Science and Technology

Institutions

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Types of committee members

Committee members- Professor Khunying Maenmas Chavalit, Chair- Director-General of the Fine Arts Department, Vice Chair- Professor Dr. Prasert Na Nagara, Vice Chairman of the National Historical Research Committee and Member of Royal Institute- Mrs.Savitri Suwansathit, Advisor Ministry of Culture, Former Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education- Dr. M.R. Rujaya Abhakorn, Historian, Former Director, Chiang Mai University Library- Miss Kongkaew Weeraprajak, Oriental Language Specialist, National Library- Mr.Term Meetem, Oriental Language Specialist, National Library- Director of the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center- Director of the National Library of Thailand- Director of the National Archives of Thailand- Director of the Literature and History Division, Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture- Director of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Center- Dr.Prachark Wattananusit, Librarian, Former Deputy Director, National Library of Thailand- Miss Korapin Thaweeta, Archivist of National Archives, Secretary

Miss Wilasinee Thabuengkarn, Administrative Officer of Southeast Asian Minister of Education Organization Regional Centrefor Archaeology and Fine Arts (SEAMEO–SPAFA), Assistant Secretary

- Miss Wassana Ngam-Duang-Jai, Librarian, National Library of Thailand, Assistant Secretary- Representative of the National Commission for UNESCO, Assistant Secretary

AdvisorsThe Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of EducationThe Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Professor Dr. Adul VichiancharoenSecretary General of the Thai National Commission for UNESCO

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The Thai National MOW Sub Committee

Sub-Committee on Thai Memory of the World Register

- Established on October 7, 2008

- To advise on the formulation and maintaining

the Thai Memory of the World Register.

- To cooperate with government and private owners of

valuable documents and to advise the owners to preserve

documents and to provide the access to the public.

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The Thai National MOW Sub Committee

Sub-Committee on Planning for the Preservationand Promotion of the epigraphic archives of Wat Pho- Established on October 7, 2008

- To provide access to digital inscription archives of Wat Pho

- To define a preservation plan for maintenance and safety of

the original stone inscription

- Planning for the preservation and promotion of the

inscription archives of Wat Pho to public

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Nomination

Three nominations from Thailand were selected for inclusion in

the Memory of the World World Register

• In 2003 - The King Ram Khamhaeng Inscription

• In 2007 - Wat Phra Chetuphon inscription

• In 2008 - The Archival Documents of King ChulalongkornTransformation and Modernization of Siam (1568-1910) and recommended for inclusion in the Memory of the World Register in 2009.

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Nomination

2003The King Ram Khamhaeng Inscription

2007Wat Phra Chetuphon inscription

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Activities

• National Celebration– On March 31, 2008, the

ceremony of presenting the UNESCO MOWCAP Certificate of Inscription of the Epigraphic Archives of Wat Pho on the Regional Register

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Activities

• National Network Seminar

– Organized 6 National

Network Seminars since

2003

– About 200 participants

joined in each seminar

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Promotional Brochure

15Website

Using Digital Technology in Promotional Activities

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Using Digital Technology in Promotional Activities

3D Animation

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Issues and Concerns

• Raising awareness - Lack of awareness among the public at large. Therefore more concerted and coordinated efforts among the public and private sectors is necessary

• Promotional – Continuous promotion and using an ICT for promotion to ensure its growth and development.

• Digital Preservation - Selecting the right digital technology and define standard of data and procedures for preservation which is affordable to sustain

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Conclusion

• The work of the Thai National Committee on Memory of the World is fully supported by the government.

• Thai National Committee on Memory of the World has responsibility for managing, raising the awareness of and promoting the Memory of the World Program in Thailand.

• As well as working in close collaboration and coordinate with the government, private sector or private owners of valuable documents for preserving original documents and propose nominations to the International Memory of the World Register.

• ICT will be a mechanism for long term preservation and providing a public access.

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Thank you