Fine Arts Department

This article is about the Thai government agency. For educational institutions, see Art school.

The Fine Arts Department (Thai: กรมศิลปากร, RTGS: Krom Sinlapakon) is a government department of Thailand, under the Ministry of Culture. Its mission is managing the country's cultural heritage.

Fine Arts Department

กรมศิลปากร
Seal of Ganesh, patron of arts
Fine Arts Department office in Bangkok
Agency overview
Formed	1912
Type	Government agency
Jurisdiction	Government of Thailand
Headquarters	Dusit, Bangkok
Annual budget	3,070.1 million baht (FY2019)
Minister responsible	Itthiphol Khunpluem, Minister of Culture
Agency executive	Phanombut Chantarachot, Director
Parent agency	Ministry of Culture
Website	www.finearts.go.th

History

The department was originally established by King Vajiravudh in 1912, split off from the Palace's Religious Affairs Office, and was primarily concerned with protecting Buddhist monuments. In 1926, during the reign of King Prajadhipok, the department was merged into the Royal Society, along with the Museum Department and Archaeology Department, in effect consolidating several cultural heritage-related agencies. In 1933, following the abolition of absolute monarchy, the Royal Society's archaeological arm was split off and re-established as the Fine Arts Department under the Ministry of Education (then known as the Ministry of Public Instruction). It became part of the Ministry of Culture from 1952 until 1957 (when the ministry was dissolved), and again in 2002 when the ministry was re-established.^[1][2]

Functions

The Fine Arts Department is responsible for the study and management of archaeological sites and objects, as well as the operation of the country's national museums, which it does under the legal framework of the Act on Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums, B.E. 2504 (1961). It also covers intangible cultural heritage, literature, and historical archives. Among its constituent bureaus are the National Archives and the National Library. Its budget for FY2019 is 3,070.1 million baht.^[3]

Organization

The Fine Arts Department is composed of the following divisions:^[4]

• Office of the Secretariat
• Archaeology Division
• Underwater Archaeology Division^[5]
• Center for Information Technology on Art and Culture
• Office of Performing Arts
• Office of Traditional Arts
• Office of National Museums
• Office of Literature and History
• Office of Architecture
• Office of the National Archives
• Office of the National Library
• Twelve Regional Offices

References

1. Stubbs, John H.; Thomson, Robert G. (2016). "Thailand". Architectural Conservation in Asia: National Experiences and Practice (reprint ed.). Taylor & Francis. pp. 231–250. ISBN 9781317406198.
2. Marwick, Ben; Shoocongdej, Rasmi; Thongcharoenchaikit, Cholawit; Chaisuwan, Boonyarit; Khowkhiew, Chaowalit; Kwak, Suengki (2013). "Hierarchies of engagement and understanding: Community engagement during archaeological excavations at Khao Toh Chong rockshelter, Krabi, Thailand". In Brockwell, Sally; O'Connor, Sue; Byrne, Denis (eds.). Transcending the Culture–Nature Divide in Cultural Heritage: Views from the Asia–Pacific region. Terra Australis 36. ANU Press. doi:10.22459/TA36.12.2013. ISBN 9781922144058.
3. Thailand's Budget in Brief Fiscal Year 2019 (Revised ed.). Bureau of the Budget. 2018. p. 89. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
4. กฎกระทรวงแบ่งส่วนราชการกรมศิลปากร กระทรวงวัฒนธรรม (ฉบับที่ 3) พ.ศ. 2560 [Ministerial Regulation on the Organization of the Department of Fine Arts, Ministry of Culture (No. 3) B.E. 2560]. 2017.
5. Karnjanatawe, Karnjana (3 September 2018). "The depths of history". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 3 September 2018.