The state of prehistoric research in Thailand

Abstract

In Thailand, as in many other developing countries, the funds available for archaeological research are limited due to the attitude that such researches do not have direct economic use. Thai archaeologists however, believe that believe that the issue of immediate economic payoff is less culture important in the long term than the strengthening of our national and of the sense of national identity. However, while many Thais share our feeling that culture and identity should have a very high priority in national development, there are of course many competing claims for government funding. Thai archaeology has therefore grown up in an environment of economic constraints.