The recent proposal to merge the Ministry of Culture with the Ministry of Tourism should be treated with great caution. This idea may appear to be just a bureaucratic restructuring. But the two ministries have distinct missions, functions and skill sets that should not be combined. The Ministry of Culture protects cultural heritage and supports the arts. The Ministry of Tourism promotes and regulates tourism as a key driver of economic growth.
Culture might attract tourists or generate revenue, but that is not why it is valuable. Heritage and the arts have intrinsic importance to the nation, Thais and the world. Cultural heritage is the source of a people's identity. It gives them a sense of their roots and an understanding of who they are. In the fine arts, Thailand's people express themselves through visual art, literature, film, music and dance.
That's why the Ministry of Culture was established in 2002, and since then, it has carried out its mission successfully. At the ministry, the people who care for the nation's cultural assets are experts in archaeology, architecture, museology, heritage site conservation, traditional crafts, contemporary art, performing arts, literature, history and religious affairs. This work benefits millions of Thais and their communities.
To be sure, Thailand's tourism industry also matters tremendously, and the Ministry of Tourism is effective at promoting it. Its personnel are skilled in branding, marketing, advertising, planning, visitor safety regulation and guide training. Like a business, its work can be measured quantitatively. Its key performance indicators (KPIs) are tangible economic results, such as tourist arrivals, revenue and employment in the travel sector.
But quantitative indicators say little about the Ministry of Culture. Its work requires qualitative criteria: Are archaeological sites, temples, palaces and old towns protected from commercial exploitation and conserved for future generations? Is local intangible heritage properly recognised and cultivated?
Is Thailand's diverse history and culture documented and shared with the general public and scholars? Is the government fostering the development of the arts? In these and other cultural efforts, achieving results requires long-term planning, the involvement of experts and the public and collaboration across agencies and the private sector. Performance here is not about annual KPIs. And it's not about money or tourism.
Of course, culture and tourism often go hand in hand, and the Ministry of Tourism helps monetise culture's value. It should coordinate with the Ministry of Culture to ensure good results. But today's tourists are more sophisticated, well-informed and critical than ever before. They value authenticity, beauty, historical depth and living culture.
That's the Culture Ministry's job -- assigning professionals to preserve the integrity and value of culture. If cultural assets are overused, simplified or commercialised beyond recognition, their value declines for everyone -- Thai people first and tourists as well. Thailand needs a strong, independent Ministry of Culture that can say no to exploitation.
Combining the Ministry of Culture with the Ministry of Tourism would likely prioritise relentless demands to increase tourist volume. This would soon harm both tourism development and the integrity of the nation's cultural resources. These two very different ministries should be kept separate so each can focus on its mission.
James Stent is a longtime resident of Thailand and a member of the council of The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage. 'Heritage Matters' is presented by The Siam Society to advocate for the conservation of cultural and natural heritage. The views expressed here are those of the author.
