Lack of skilled staff at the Fine Arts Department

The Thai Fine Arts Department, which oversees traditional arts and archaeology in Thailand is reported to have a shortage of skilled staff particularly archaeological staff, because of cuts in staff and the highly-specialised nature of some of the jobs involved.

Fine Arts Department faces staff shortage
Bangkok Post, 21 November 2009

The Archaeology Office is no better off. It just has two divers left and the duo are responsible for 64 underwater archaeological sites across the country.

“The government doesn’t think too highly about underwater archaeology. As their job is too dangerous, insurance firms have refused coverage for them as well,” Erbprem Vatcharangkul, director of the Underwater Archaeology Division under the Archeology Office, complained.

Like other government offices, the department must stick to government policy on staff cuts and recruitments.