SEAArch – The Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog

The Bangkok Post reports on how some academics in Thailand are counselling a more pragmatic and less emotionally-charged approach to handling the Preah Vihear dispute, which erupted in 2007 when UNESCO designated the border temple as a World Heritage Site under Cambodia. The award has become a political hot potato in Thailand, where nationalists have seen the award as a breach in sovereignty and has led to the worsening of relations between the two countries.

Academics want pragmatic approach over border row
Bangkok Post, 09 August 2010
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Director-general of Unesco Irina Bokova issued a press statement expressing concern over the loss to scholars and the public over the wholesale auction of the Cirebon shipwreck, which failed to auction on Wednesday after failing to receive any bids.

UNESCO Director-General concerned by possible dispersion of objects from 10th century sunken ship in Indonesia
UNESCOPRESS, 06 May 2010

UNESCO chief concerned by auction of ancient artifacts
Jakarta Post, 06 May 2010
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The northern province of Batanes is just about ready to be nominated for World Heritage Site listing because of a continuous occupation lasting 2,400 years, but some of the stone door-less houses that make Batanes unique are also seen by the locals as markers of poverty.

photo credit: click-the-shutter

New concrete Batanes houses ‘with doors’
Philippine Inquirer Lifestyle, 12 April 2010
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Unesco funds over a million (US?) dollars for the preservation of Thang Long Citadel.

Over $1.2 million to preserve Thang Long Royal Citadel
Vietnam Net Bridge, 26 February 2010
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Residents of ancient houses known as Nha Ruong are refusing government funding for refurbishment because of the long-term costs of upkeeping such houses and the strict restrictions that are placed on future refurbishment works.

Residents decline funding to save ancient homes
Saigon Giai Phong, 05 Jan 2010
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The 12th century temple of Banteay Chmar is the next temple to be proposed as a World Heritage Site, although experts say that the final listing will not be for another few years. The temple was recently restored, and Alison has some great photos of the site here.

Cambodia to register 12th century temple as World Heritage Site
Xinhua, 09 August 2009

Experts say World Heritage listing for Banteay Chmar will take years
Phnom Penh Post, 11 August 2009
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It’s a sad irony when even the locals cannot afford the entrance fee to their own heritage sites – but that said, sites like these require revenue to maintain them and so it seems necessary to charge a fee. This story got me thinking about other sites in Southeast Asia that require fees to enter – A day-pass at Angkor is probably the most expensive, at USD20; at Borobudur the price for foreigners is USD10 and in Thailand entry to various sites cost between USD2-6. The entry to Hue is comparable at USD3 for foreigners. I don’t have a problem paying higher fees than locals, but I do wonder sometimes at these sites if the revenue goes to the maintenance of the site or to some higher-up’s pocket.

Hue Citadel visit is beyond means of many Vietnamese
Vietnam Net Bridge, 22 July 2009
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