Suggestions for A Framework for Considering Industrial Heritage in Thailand from A Critique of The Concept of Valuing

This study proposes a framework for evaluating industrial heritage in Thailand, addressing the limitations of current international criteria. Of the 50 properties inscribed on the World Industrial Heritage list, only eight originate from countries that did not undergo the Industrial Revolution, all of which were Western colonies. An analysis of Outstanding Universal Value identification and industrial heritage conservation concepts reveals a persistently Eurocentric approach, which emerged in Europe and subsequently spread to other regions. This approach remains fixated on the Industrial Revolution and European industrial management in other regions, necessitating that countries in various regions understand their specific contexts to properly evaluate their industrial heritage. The research aims to develop a framework for assessing industrial heritage in Thailand by examining international industrial heritage criteria, conducting in-depth interviews with stakeholders in selected study areas, and critically analyzing these findings within the context of Thai history. This historical context encompasses the periods influenced by the Industrial Revolution, Western colonialism, and modernization. The study employs three primary variables: international industrial heritage criteria, historical perspectives, and heritage value definitions. The findings indicate that the degree of connection between a property and its social context is a crucial determinant of its value and significance. The research identifies two pivotal historical scenarios for Thailand: its status as a semi-colonial state and the formation of a modern nation-state centered in Bangkok. These perspectives provide a more comprehensive understanding of the social contextual connections of industrial properties in Thailand and their evolving values. Based on these insights, the study proposes a framework for evaluating industrial heritage in Thailand, addressing five key dimensions: definitions, timeframes, authenticity, categorization, and values. This framework challenges the Eurocentric approach by emphasizing the need for a contextualized understanding of industrial heritage in non-Western countries, particularly those that did not directly experience the Industrial Revolution but were nevertheless impacted by its global ramifications.