MANAGEMENT FOR THE CONSERVATION OF ANTIQUES Of PRASATSIT TEMPLE AT DAMNOEN SADUAK DISTRICT IN RATCHABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aimed to: 1. study the level of management for the conservation of antiquities at Wat Prasat Sit, Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi Province; 2. compare the management for the conservation of antiquities at Wat Prasat Sit, classified by personal factors; and 3. investigate the problems, obstacles, and recommendations regarding the management for the conservation of antiquities at Wat Prasat Sit. This study employed a mixed-methods research design. For the quantitative research, questionnaires were administered to 369 residents of Prasat Sit Subdistrict, Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi Province. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, F-test, and one-way analysis of variance. For the qualitative research, interviews were conducted with nine key informants, and the data were analyzed using contextual content analysis.

The findings revealed that 1. The overall level of management for the conservation of antiquities at Wat Prasat Sit was high. When individual aspects were considered, cooperation with government agencies in conserving antiquities had the highest mean, followed by the care and preservation of antiquities, while providing the public with knowledge about antiquities conservation had the lowest mean; nevertheless, all aspects were at a high level. 2. The comparison of management for the conservation of antiquities classified by personal factors revealed that people with different genders, ages, general education levels, occupations, and incomes did not differ in their levels of practice; therefore, the research hypotheses were rejected. and 3. The major problem and obstacle was the lack of adequate standards for protecting antiquities storage areas against floods and fires. It was therefore recommended that integrated standards for flood and fire prevention in antiquities storage areas be established in collaboration with relevant agencies to protect antiquities from damage and ensure their effective conservation.