Defining Local Heritage in the Case of Bypassed Towns: A case study in Photharam community, Ratchaburi province

Abstract

Each town always has its own characteristics and heritage; although it may not be outstanding enough to be on a World, National, or regional heritage list or to be a tourists’ destination. Yet these place may be very pleasant places in which to live and so they are presenting real heritage that is certainly meaningful to their own local communities. Today, the trend of nostalgia tourism is very popular, especially traveling to the old districts and old living communities which are still rich with distinctive architectural style and identity, as well as presenting local culture and traditions that can suggest a long succession of customs and beliefs.  Thailand has many old communities and old towns scattered around the nation. In the past, most of them were ignored by tourists although, when the nostalgia tourism movement became a new trend, some have promoted themselves to be new tourism destinations which contain elements of a nostalgia-laden atmosphere, especially in the area around Bangkok. The old buildings, that look like something from the past, are the first things that will be presented and promoted as an emblem or heritage of the community.  Although old buildings are one of the cultural elements that can show the characteristics and identity of each community or town, nevertheless in the context of these small towns which may seem indistinguishable from each other to the eye of the passing traveler, it is often hard to recollect which building belongs to which town. Yet these buildings and other landmarks are still to be seen as real, albeit local, heritage. So the question arises of what constitutes local heritage in the context of a seemingly undistinguished small town?