Thailand

History

Culture is the vital factor that has positive bearings on the promotion of people's quality of life. For the country to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity, it is Important that social and cultural development is administered in tandem with economic and technology. Because of the essential role of culture to the country, the government in 2002 re-established the "Ministry of Culture" with mandates on religions, arts and cultural management for development of the country. During the past decade, the Ministry of Culture has continuously developed the potential of its personnel and management systems to enhance its efficacy.

Historical Development of Cultural Organization
from the past to the present

The Ministry of Culture at the present time consists of ten agencies, seven are offices and three others are organizations. The former are the Office of the Minister, the Office of the Permanent Secretary, the Department of Fine Arts, the Department of Religious Affairs, the Department of Cultural Promotion, Bunditpatanasilpa Institute, and the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture. The later are three public organizations, namely the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Center (Public Organization), the Film Archive (Public Organization), and the Moral Promotion Center (Public Organization). The focal administrative system of the Ministry of Culture has been developed to enhance the potential of its personnel to satisfy the cultural demand of the public. The Ministry of Culture puts emphases on the expansion of cultural networks to encourage the public members to realize the value and significance of culture. By these means further cooperation and consolidation regarding preservation of the Thai cultural heritage and cultural development can be expected.