Tiger

r Cave T

Cours

Ph.D. A

Cultura

emple (W

se No: 26

Pr

Mr. Th

AHMT (C

al Lands

Wat Tha

65412 C

Submitt

rof. Ken

By

hanongsa

Candidat

ID: 5705

scape Re

am Sua)

ultural L

ted to

n Taylor

y

ak Chong

te), Silpa

56971

 

eport:

in Krab

Landsca

gbut

akorn Un

bi, Thaila

apes

niversity

and

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Part 1: Introduction………………………………………………………………….....1

Part 2: Site History, Existing Conditions, Analysis and Evaluation…………………..6

2.1 Site History ………………………………………………………………..6

2.2 Existing Conditions……………………………………………………....11

2.3 Analysis and Evaluation………………………………………………….11

Part 3: Recommendations…………………………………………………………….15

Part 4: Bibliography………………………………………………………………….16

  

Part 1: Introduction

This report is attempted to explain the cultural landscape definition that should

appropriated with Thailand and why the cultural landscape should be in the category

of site history, existing conditions, analysis, evaluation and recommendation in Tiger

Cave temple, Thailand. The cultural landscape study should provide more

understanding the old place and rural context in Thailand and increasing local

knowledge and awareness to protect destroying its cultural heritage and footprint in

the past. The concept of cultural landscape should be part of study, analysis,

evaluation and recommendation of cultural landscape for both local people and rural

planner. This case is Wat Tham Sua Or "Tiger Cave temple" is located Krabi

province in southern Thailand, the area is a center for meditation where teaches a

form of Buddhism called Vipassana (insight meditation) and main tourist attraction in

the temple complex where is the 1,237 steps climb up a limestone tower to see the

footprint of the Buddha and the replica of the Lord, Buddha's footprint, the Pagoda of

the Holy Relic, and a huge Buddha image.

The aim of this report is to deep understand on Tiger Cave temple cultural

landscape. To analyze and identify the significance of landscape characteristics and

features in the context of the landscape with creative ideas and future challenges. To

recommend the preservation strategy for long-term management of cultural landscape

based on its significance, existing condition, and use.

1.1 Cultural Landscape Definitions

The term “cultural landscapes” has broadly been used, with different places in

different contexts. However, its use is commonly known that there must be the

2  

    

correlation between the culture which is occurred and is based on nature (Muanyai,

2008). Cultural landscape is as a part of “build environment” and“setting”.

Sometimes the explanation through covered the term ‘built environment’ did not

covered some cultural issue and ‘setting’ the term of culture (Shinawatra, 2011).

To sum up, the world “Cultural Landscape” has its specific meaning according

to different part of the world and needed different interpretation. Here are some

definitions about cultural landscape as following:

1.1.1 UNESCO’s term of Cultural Landscape

The Committee acknowledged that cultural landscapes represent the

"combined works of nature and of man" designated in Article 1 of the Convention.

They are illustrative of the evolution of human society and settlement over time,

under the influence of the physical constraints and/or opportunities presented by their

natural environment and of successive social, economic and cultural forces, both

external and internal.

The term "cultural landscape" embraces a diversity of manifestations of the

interaction between humankind and its natural environment. Cultural landscapes often

reflect specific techniques of sustainable land-use, considering the characteristics and

limits of the natural environment they are established in, and a specific spiritual

relation to nature. Protection of cultural landscapes can contribute to modern

techniques of sustainable land-use and can maintain or enhance natural values in the

landscape. The continued existence of traditional forms of land-use supports

biological diversity in many regions of the world. The protection of traditional

3  

    

cultural landscapes is therefore helpful in maintaining biological diversity (UNESCO,

2015).

1.1.2 U.S. National park’s term of Cultural Landscape

A geographic area, including both cultural and natural resources & the

wildlife or domestic animals therein, associated with a historic event, activity, or

person, or that exhibits other cultural or aesthetic values. 4 types recognized:

1. Historic site

2 .Historic designed landscape

3. Historic vernacular landscape (everyday landscape)

4 .Ethnographic (Indigenous) landscape

1.1.3 Australia ICOMOS’s term of Cultural Landscape BURRA

CHARTER

For Australia ICOMOS (2015) purposes of this Charter:

1. Place means a geographically defined area. It may include elements,

objects, spaces and views. Place may have tangible and intangible dimensions.

2. Cultural significance means aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual

value for past, present or future generations. Cultural significance is embodied in the

place itself, its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and

related objects. Places may have a range of values for different individuals or groups.

3. Fabric means all the physical material of the place including elements,

fixtures, contents and objects.

4  

    

After, Emeritus Professor Ken Taylor, a member of Australian ICOMOS and a

visiting fellow to Humanities Research Center, the Australian National University in

Canberra, had defined the term of “cultural landscape” as

We are surrounded by landscapes that people have

settled, modified, or altered over time. These landscapes

are“cultural landscapes”, the ordinary, everyday landscapes

which surround us and in which we conduct our activities.

They are the result of human intervention in the natural

landscape and present a record of human activity, human

values and ideologies. In this way they do not simply

represent physical changes brought about by human

intervention. They also represent evidence of material

culture manifested in the landscape and thereby reflect

human relationships with our surrounds. They are an

inextricable and coherent part of our intellectual and

cultural background. Cultural landscapes are literally

an imprint of human history. They can tell us, if we care to

read and interpret them, something about an achievement

and values of our predecessors. In this way cultural landscapes

are symbols of who are and can serve to and remind us of the past.

Because they are records of past and present actions, cultural

landscapes are product of change. They embody physical changes

which in turn reflect evolving attitudes towards the landscape.

It is important that we learn to interpret cultural landscapes

5  

    

as living history and as part of our national identity. They contain

a wealth of evidence of our social and material history with

which we readily associate heritage value. (Taylor,______: 3)

From the beginning, the Australian concern more on ‘every day landscape’ of

their way of living in the past after they landed on this continent a hundred years ago

and lastly they founded that they should respected and take the world vision, way of

living and culture of the Aborigine or “Indigenous” people, who lived before them,

into account of the definition of cultural landscapes reflected in the definition of

cultural significance in Burra Charter too.

Recently In Thailand, The Ministry of Culture had informed the term and

definition of “Cultural Landscapes” both local and central government agencies. In

December 2010, The sub commission of conservation and development of cultural

heritage in Thailand (Sub CDCH) in the Commission of Religion, Merit, Morality,

Arts &Culture, Senate (RMMAC) such as The Auluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is

one of the cases of Cultural & Natural Heritage to applied using this definition in

Australia and then the Borobudur in Indonesia with buffer zone that covered the

surround mountain ICOMOS Association of Thailand had developed a draft Thailand

Charter for Cultural Heritage Management and prepare to apply for the whole country

and after will send to UNESCO through ICOMOS International Committee for

declaration. Their definition of the term of “Cultural Landscape” is very interesting.

Thailand Charter on the Management of Cultural Heritage Site (3rd

Commission Office, Secretary to Senate Office. 2010 p. 18)

“Cultural landscape” means the geography had been affected by human

6  

    

intervention and changed the natural landscape. This imprint indicated the

relationship between human and nature and reflected human’s way of living, belief

and religious faith where formed the unique identity through time.

Part 2: Site History, Existing Conditions, Analysis and Evaluation

This part provides documentation about and an evaluation of landscape

characteristics and associated features, materials, and qualities that make a landscape

eligible for heritage conservation in Asia. The site history, existing conditions, and

analysis and evaluation sections identify the historical values associated with the

landscape, document extant landscape characteristics and associated features, and

define the significance and integrity of the landscape. All three sections of part 2 must

be completed before any treatment decision for a landscape can be made.

2.1 Site History

Wat Tham Sua Or "Tiger Cave temple" is located Krabi province in southern

Thailand. Tiger Cave Temple is located in the area of Ban Tham Sua, Krabi town,

about 9 kilometres away from Krabi town. The area is about 200 Rai (320 sq.

kilometres) comprising the plains, valleys and peaks. Once they make it to the top,

they are rewarded with stunning 360? views of the surrounding countryside and the

Andaman Sea, down to the far South as Krabi Town, while in the North are the lofty

Phanom Bencha Mountains, and the agricultural area where is rubber and palm

plantation. In 1975, Tiger Cave Temple was named “Na Ching Abbey” which was

named after the village. Occurred from Monk Jamnian who has lead a group of monks

 

 

and novices

Temple in S

In 1990

told that in

Mountain. M

cave (U As

The sit

temple land

describes th

idea and as

its potentia

developmen

to, the natu

attributes, f

features) th

s in total of

Suratthani.

0, it was ren

the past, m

Moreover it

s Traval, 20

te history pr

dscape throu

he historic c

sociated IU

l and applic

nt of the lan

ural landscap

features, and

hat contribut

f 53 persons

named to Ti

many tigers li

t also appea

12).

rovides a de

ugh every h

context and

UCN Catego

cation in Th

ndscape, foc

pe (See Figu

d materials

te to the sig

s and 56 nun

iger Cave T

ive in the ca

ars like a na

escription of

historic perio

period(s) o

ory V Protec

hailand. The

cusing on hu

ures 1 throu

(the landsc

gnificance o

ns relocated

Temple beca

aves at the f

atural stone

f the Wat T

od up to the

of significan

cted Landsc

e site history

uman intera

ugh 7). It de

ape charact

f the landsc

d from Wat S

ause the resi

front of Kho

shaped of ti

ham Sua Or

e present, an

nce or the cu

capes in ord

y document

action with,

escribes the

eristics and

cape.

Suknon Tha

idents have

oa Kaew

iger paws in

r "Tiger Ca

nd it identif

ultural lands

der to demon

ts the physic

, and modifi

physical ch

d associated

7

 

avas

been

n the

ave

fies and

scape

nstrate

cal

fication

haracter,

 

 

Figure 1. W

Figure 2. W

Figure 3. T

B

Wat Tham Su

Wat Tham Su

The Lord Bu

Buddha ima

ua Or "Tige

ua Or "Tige

uddha's foot

age are on th

er Cave Tem

er Cave Tem

tprint, the P

he top of m

mple Googl

mple Googl

Pagoda of th

mountain

le map

le map (Con

he Holy Rel

nt.)

lic, and a hu

8

 

uge

 

 

Figure 4. T

ru

Figure 5. St

The surround

ubber and p

tepping up

ding area is

palm plantat

the top of m

covered wi

tion

mountain

ith the agriccultural areaa where gro

9

 

w both

 

 

Figure 6. T

Figure 7. V

Tiger Cave T

Venerable J

Temple area

Jamnian wh

a

ho was the aabbot in Tiger Cave

10

 

11  

    

2.2 Existing Conditions Tiger cave temple is a center for meditation where teaches a form of

Buddhism called Vipassana (insight meditation), which is based on the teachings of

the earliest Buddhist texts. Some 250 Monks and Nuns live in the temple compounds

at the moment.

It is one of the more interesting temple complexes in southern Thailand, as

the monks live and worship within a maze of natural caves in an overgrown jungle

valley, a deep natural amphitheater entirely and the main tourist attraction in the

temple complex is the 1,237 steps climb up a limestone tower to see the footprint of

the Buddha and the replica of the Lord Buddha's footprint, the Pagoda of the Holy

Relic, and a huge Buddha image. Once they make it to the top, they are rewarded with

stunning 360? views of the surrounding countryside and the Andaman Sea, down to

the far South as Krabi Town, while in the North are the lofty Phanom Bencha

Mountains, and the agricultural area where grow both rubber and palm plantation as

far as the eyes can see. Absolutely, this one feature a shine perched at the very tip top

of a massive limestone tower jutting out of the local karst landscape.

2.3 Analysis and Evaluation

Wat Tham Sua Or "Tiger Cave temple" is located Krabi province in southern

Thailand. The area is about 200 Rai (320 sq. kilometres) comprising the plains,

valleys and peaks.

Its spectacular setting in the Ao Luek Thanu mountain ranges provides the

necessary quiet atmosphere for meditation. The main vihara or the sanctum sanctorum

is inside a small shallow limestone cave. Both sides are lined by cells like caves

12  

    

which are called monastic cells. Inside the cave there are what appear to be tiger paw

prints in the stone. The areas is well lit and very well maintained preserving the

serenity of the environment or the temporary of the body and help the monks and

nuns to focus on more spiritual matters (Krabi Tourism, 2004). The surrounding area

is covered with large trees hundreds of years old, particularly in the Khiriwong

Valley. Mountains are on all sides and there are smaller caves in great number. It is

also a place of archaeological and historical interest. The whole area is full of caves

and limestone rock formations. Archeologists have found remnants of ancient

habitations as old as from stone age. Stone tools, shards of pottery and beads, idols of

clay have all been unearthed which bear testimony to the cultural heritage of the area

(Krabi-info.com, 2015).

According to the general geology of Tiger Cave Temple is a jungle with

hollow caves and natural resources. Some cave is the Meditation centre of

contemplative monks and worshipers. With the greenery atmosphere inside the temple

is also an important archaeological site during Prehistoric times and the early

Prehistoric. Numerous artefacts have discovered such as stone tools, pottery.

fragments, votive tablet and many other important value for history

Nowadays the temple is still a center of the Buddhist traditional practice

because of the continuity of the specific worship and the unique living religious

activity of the world.

Criterion (i): Tiger Cave Temple represents the Buddhism’s system of belief

through its architectural design and planning. The buildings and their elements are

plenty of meaning in Buddhist philosophy. It presents to the human creative genius in

13  

    

conceptual design. Phra That Chedi Yod Khoa Kaew (A big Buddha placed on top of

the Khoa Kaew Mountain), The footprint of the Buddha and the Pagoda of the Holy

Relic not only be a masterpiece in regional but also a symbol of Theravada Buddhist.

As a result, the architectural design of the main building of the temple presents a

masterpiece of the creative genius of the artisans.

Criterion (ii): With the greenery atmosphere inside the temple is also an

important archaeological site during Prehistoric times and the early Prehistoric.

Numerous artefacts have discovered such as stone tools, pottery.

Criterion (vi): Tiger Cave Temple is directly and tangibly associated with the

history of the spread of Buddhism, one of major religion in the world. The people’s

belief in the sacred of Buddha Relics is one of the most important of Buddhism, lead

to performing of various ceremonies connected with the religious traditions.

Integrity

Those are many attractions as follow:

Phra That Chedi Yod Khoa Kaew. A big Buddha placed on top of the Khoa

Kaew Mountain for about 600 meters height above sea level. Stairs 1,237 rises take to

the peak for the panoramic view of Krabi. It is also where an imitated Buddha

Footprint located.

Phra That Chedi Big Bell is 90.90 meters in height and 58 meters in base

width, inside has 5 storey floors as the following.

The1st Floor is an antiquities museum.

14  

    

The 2nd Floor is multipurpose hall.

The 3rd floor hung the world's largest ancient bell.

The 4th floor is the antiquities Buddha Status Museum and

The 5th floor is Phra That Museum.

Khiri Wong Valley. The valley is surrounded by hundred years old trees and

many caves such as Tham Kon Than Cave, Tham Lod Cave and Tham Lun Thanu

Cave. Stairs entry is at the Guan Yin Palace.

Bodhisattva Guan Yin height of 5 meters, it is a unique and famous favourite

worship place for both Thais and foreigners tourists.

White jade Buddha status is the centuries old Burmese’s art enshrined at the

Tiger Cave Temple.

Tourism also exerts considerable pressure on the property and its hinterland.

There is a growing rate of deterioration of the building stone, the cause of which

needs further research. There is also a small degree of damage caused by

unsupervised visitors.

Authenticity

The temple has conserved its initial appearance, and in particular its historic

feature. Though the temple was partially restored traditionally at some points of times,

the people’s belief to respect the original form of the buildings tends to preserve the

authenticity of the stupa and the religious buildings of the temple. Though the present

15  

    

state of temple is the result of restorations, it retained more than enough original

material when re-discovered to make a reconstruction possible.

Nowadays the property could be used as a Buddhist pilgrimage site. Its overall

atmosphere is, however, to a certain degree compromised by the lack of control of

commercial activities and the pressure resulting from the lack of an adequate tourism

management strategy.

Part 3: Recommendations

First, in case of deterioration of the cultural and natural environment, the

government of Krabi province must identify on environmental and natural resources

conservation. To solve these problems, the development of infrastructure and tourism

services must be restricted, strongly controlled. In addition, the local government

assists local communities to develop capacity to participate and benefit from tourism.

Stakeholders, including residents, business owner, tourists, and government officials,

need to cooperate the environment and natural resources ethically and responsibly.

Second, the lack of control of commercial activities and the pressure resulting

from the lack of an adequate tourism management strategy, local government has to

set the zoning for tourism development in the future.

Final, development of cultural tourism is critical for Tiger Cave Temple to

improve the temple’s economy and tourism. The stakeholder should establish policies

to preserve this unique, historical attraction. In addition, they should be taken of the

area's ancient tri- culture, language and dialects, and local garments while planning

16  

    

for sustainable tourism development, and planning should be undertaken to preserve

the traditional context such as culture learning center, traditional boat festival etc.

Part 4: Bibliography

Australia ICOMOS. (2015). The Burra Charter 2013. Retrieved from

http://australia.icomos.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Burra-Charter-2013-

adopted-31.10.2013.pdf

U As Traval. (2012). Tiger Cave Temple. Retreived from

http://packagethailandtour.com/travel/tiger-cave-temple-wat-tham-sua-204

Krabi Tourism. (2004). Wat tham sua. Retrieved from http://www.krabi-

tourism.com/krabi/watthumsua.htm

Krabi-info.com. (2015). Wat Tham Seua. Retrieved from http://www.krabi-

info.com/see/area_sightseeing.html#KrabiNatural

Muangyai, N. (2008). Cutural landscapes and management plan for cultural and

historical tourism in palaces dating from King Rama VI’s reign. Unpublished

doctoral dissertation, Silpakorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

UNESCO. (2015). Cultural landscape. Retrieved from

http://whc.unesco.org/en/culturallandscape/#1