BANGKOK, June 28 (TNA) – Thailand hosted a meeting
to discuss a project to set up an ASEAN underwater archaeology association with
Southeast Asian nations.
Anant Chuchote, director-general of the Fine Arts
Department, opened the meeting on the Underwater Cultural Heritage Protection
and the Possibility and Feasibility Study for the Creation of An ASEAN
Underwater Archaeology Association. Representatives of ASEAN member states and
East Timor attended the meeting at the National Gallery in Bangkok.
Mr Anant said international cooperation was
essential for the protection of underwater cultural heritage as it was facing
many risks including harms from irresponsible behaviors and crimes. Many
underwater archaeological sites in Southeast Asia were thus damaged and the
evidence of ancient trade and cultural exchange through maritime routes within
and beyond Southeast Asia were lost, he said.
Today’s meeting was a forum for the exchange of
knowledge and experiences related to underwater archaeology in the region and
gathered information would lead to solutions and the possibility of
establishing an ASEAN underwater archaeology association to protect underwater
cultural heritage sites in the region, Mr Anant said.
Participants in the meeting also reported situations
and developments in their underwater archaeological operations and the
protection of their underwater cultural heritage. (TNA)
