Publications
Decoding Sacred Landscapes: The Interplay of Spirituality and Vernacular Built Forms in Riverine Settlements in Asia
Sacred landscapes in riverine settlements are dynamic, adaptive cultural systems shaped by ritual use, embodied memory, and vernacular spatial practices. This study reveals that sacred urbanity emerges through recurrent typologies such as processional routes, water-based ritual zones, thresholds between sacred and secular domains, and multisensory atmospheres. Unlike static heritage constructs, these landscapes evolve continuously, sustained by community participation and sensory authenticity. The research employs a qualitative comparative case-study methodology, integrating spatial mapping, phenomenological observations, interviews, and interpretive analysis across three historic Asian river cities: Varanasi (India), Hoi An (Vietnam), and Ayutthaya (Thailand). It advances a memory-based analytical framework, advocating for conservation strategies that prioritize ritual continuity, community engagement, and sensory authenticity alongside physical preservation. This approach reframes sacred landscapes as living vernacular systems, offering culturally responsive solutions for managing heritage riverfront settlements in rapidly transforming urban environments.
Reconstructing the Ayutthaya Kingdom Waterway Network
Researchers have reconstructed the traditional waterway network of Ayutthaya City Island during the Ayutthaya Kingdom, revealing its historical significance and sustainable preservation potential. The study identified key waterways by analyzing paintings and maps from the era, comparing them with historical documents and early archaeological surveys. By overlaying these findings onto a base map using cross-referenced landmarks, the research highlights how Ayutthaya's water culture, including annual flood management, was ingeniously integrated into daily life. This reconstruction offers valuable insights for modern preservation efforts, contrasting traditional techniques with current practices. The work underscores the importance of understanding historical water systems in relation to broader urban and civilizational heritage.
Safeguarding World Heritage Under Recurrent Flooding: A Sustainable-Development Policy Framework for the Historic City of Ayutthaya, Thailand
Despite mitigation efforts following Thailand's severe 2011 floods, the UNESCO-listed Historic City of Ayutthaya remains vulnerable to recurrent flooding, as evidenced by the 2025 central-Thailand floods. This policy analysis frames heritage flood protection as a sustainable-development imperative, aligning it with SDG 11.4 and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. It introduces a six-pillar framework—governance mainstreaming, proactive water detention, Earth-observation monitoring, financing and risk transfer, community and tourism resilience, and international partnership—to safeguard riverine cultural heritage under climate-driven flood risks. The study leverages documented flood events, conservation reports, and satellite evidence to propose a transferable model for other at-risk World Heritage Sites.
Strategic Development of Public Transport Systems Connecting to Ayutthaya Historic City: Current Status and Future Directions
A critical infrastructure gap in public transport systems connecting to Ayutthaya Historic City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been identified. The study reveals that 90% of surveyed transport nodes fail to meet basic accessibility criteria under Universal Design (UD) standards, with only the Ayutthaya Railway Station meeting these requirements. This research highlights the urgent need for strategic policy development to balance heritage preservation and modern tourism demands. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study combined quantitative data from 348 stakeholders—including local residents, tourists, and vulnerable groups—with qualitative assessments of physical infrastructure. The findings underscore the importance of integrating accessibility standards into future transport planning to ensure inclusive access while safeguarding historical integrity.
In the Shadow of George Cœdès: Jean-Yves Claeys and the Mission to Siam (1929)
A groundbreaking archaeological mission led by Jean-Yves Claeys in 1929, under the auspices of the École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO), revealed significant insights into Siam’s historic cities, including Ayutthaya. Despite working in the shadow of George Cœdès, Claeys contributed original observations and documentation, captured in a 1931 article and a silent documentary film now serving as a valuable archival record. This study revisits the mission's origins and its broader significance, highlighting its role in shaping EFEO’s relations with Siamese scholarly institutions during that era.
Seismic Assessment of Thai Masonry Stupas Using Image-based 3D Models and Ambient Vibration Tests
Researchers have established a relationship between the natural periods and height of Thai masonry stupas, providing an approximate formula to estimate their seismic response. This pioneering study, conducted on 20 UNESCO-listed stupas in Ayutthaya Historical Park, combines image-based 3D modeling using UAVs and Structure From Motion (SFM) with ambient vibration tests to assess their dynamic properties. The findings reveal that these ancient structures, while vulnerable to seismic hazards due to their deteriorating materials, exhibit predictable vibrational behavior based on their height. Finite element models were created to simulate time-history analyses, identifying critical stress points and offering insights into the structural weaknesses of these fragile monuments. This approach bridges traditional field surveys with advanced computational modeling, advancing the understanding of seismic risk for similar heritage sites in high-seismicity zones.
Integrating heritage impact assessment into environmental impact assessment procedures: a case study of the historic city of Ayutthaya, Thailand
Thailand faces significant challenges in integrating heritage impact assessment (HIA) into environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedures, particularly for UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Ayutthaya. Key barriers include a fragmented legislative framework, overlapping agency responsibilities, and differing criteria for environmental protection and cultural heritage conservation. The study highlights the need for a unified approach, emphasizing training for assessors in methodologies, legal regulations, public participation, and stakeholder engagement. Continuous monitoring during construction, supported by a Cultural Heritage Impact Management Plan, is crucial to protect heritage sites effectively.
The Influences of Perceived Value Quality on Customer Satisfaction and Customer Loyalty on Historical Park Ayutthaya in Post Covid-19
A study on the Historic City of Ayutthaya reveals that customer satisfaction is a critical factor influencing loyalty among visitors to historical parks, particularly in the post-Covid-19 era. The research found no significant impact of physical environment or peripheral services on satisfaction levels. Using a hybrid methodology combining questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with 386 visitors, the study employed descriptive statistics and path analysis to validate its model, achieving excellent fit indices (X²=78.587, df=103, p=0.965; RMSEA=0.000, CFI=1.000). These findings suggest that enhancing customer satisfaction could be a strategic focus for improving service quality management in historical tourism destinations like Ayutthaya.
Assessment of Traffic - Induced Ground Vibrations and Effects on Masonry Monuments in Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand
Traffic-induced ground vibrations in Ayutthaya Historical Park were found to attenuate based on subsoil properties, specifically the average shear wave velocity (Vs). The study derived attenuation curves from regression analysis, providing practical tools for risk management of masonry monuments. Additionally, traffic vibrations were within recommended limits, and finite element analysis showed that induced stresses were lower than the structural strength of ancient bricks and mortar, suggesting minimal risk to historic structures.
Lost and found: the water-based settlement of the historic city of Ayutthaya
A study on the historic city of Ayutthaya reveals that despite its reputation for advanced water management, the connection between historical monuments and water features is diminishing. Research found that areas outside the World Heritage Site remain linked to this system, showcasing the resilience of traditional designs in flood-prone regions. The ancient Chao Phraya River settlements also highlight living practices adapted to water-based environments, demonstrating the enduring legacy of Ayutthaya's water management strategies.
Economic Valuation of Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand
Tourists visiting Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand, derive significant economic value from the site, with an annual valuation of approximately 1.99 billion Baht (around $60 million USD). The study, which analyzed data from 400 tourists using the Individual Travel Cost Method (ITCM), found that visitors primarily travel to experience arts and culture, drawn by the park's ancient ruins and serene environment. Key factors influencing visitation decisions included travel cost and distance. On average, visitors make 2.61 trips per year, with each visit generating a consumer surplus of 1,508.40 Baht (around $45 USD). This economic valuation underscores the park's importance as both a cultural and recreational destination.
Flood and Water Management: Case Studies in Thai History: What Lesson that We Should Learn?
Thai historical water management offers sustainable lessons for modern flood resilience. The study highlights how ancient Thai cities—including Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, and Wiang Kum Kam—integrated waterways into their urban planning for defense, transportation, and agriculture. These strategies, rooted in indigenous knowledge, demonstrate adaptive solutions that could inform climate change mitigation today. The research synthesizes historical records and expert insights to identify best practices, emphasizing the need to blend traditional wisdom with contemporary technology for future sustainability.
Application of 3D laser scanning technology for preservation and monitoring of Thai pagoda: A case study of Wat Krachee Ayutthaya
3D laser scanning technology has been demonstrated as highly effective for the preservation and monitoring of heritage structures, offering precise and rapid digital documentation. A case study at Wat Krachee, a Thai pagoda in Ayutthaya, revealed significant dimensions and deformations over multiple scans conducted between 2018 and 2019. The technology's ability to generate high-density point cloud data enabled accurate structural assessment and conservation planning, addressing unique challenges such as intertwined trees integrated into the pagoda structure. This approach supports sustainable preservation efforts led by UNESCO and Thai authorities.
The study of water management system in ancient towns: a case study of Ayutthaya
Ancient Ayutthaya thrived for 417 years without significant flood damage despite its location in Thailand's flood-prone lower central plain. A study reveals that the city's resilience was rooted in an advanced water management system, offering insights applicable to modern urban planning. The research employs a landscape integration approach, combining multidisciplinary perspectives to analyze Ayutthaya's water development cycle and its evolution within riverine and deltaic areas. This methodology not only clarifies Ayutthaya's water management but also provides a model for other towns facing similar environmental challenges.
Appropriate participatory food waste management in the World Heritage Site, the Historic City of Ayutthaya
A participatory food waste management strategy for the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Historic City of Ayutthaya, demonstrated that converting domestic food waste into bio-extract or bio-fertilizer is an effective approach to improve waste separation and urban environment. The study, employing quantitative methods and Participatory Action Research (PAR), found that while 87.2% of participants separated recyclable garbage, only 72.2% separated food waste due to attitudes toward waste management. PAR revealed that producing bio-fertilizer from food waste could enhance community engagement in waste separation, offering a sustainable solution for preserving Ayutthaya's heritage status by addressing waste-related image concerns.
Assessing the sustainability of tourism-related livelihoods in an urban World Heritage Site
Research on the Historic City of Ayutthaya reveals that tourism-related livelihoods in urban areas are inherently unsustainable when measured by self-reliance, as residents heavily depend on external sources. The study, using DFID’s Sustainable Livelihood Framework, highlights conflicts between the urban poor and both the Thai government and neighboring industrial zones due to tourism and development pressures. These tensions raise concerns about the potential loss of World Heritage status. The findings challenge traditional sustainability metrics by emphasizing that urban livelihoods cannot be evaluated solely on self-reliance, given their reliance on external inputs.
Tourism Object Benchmarking : Borobudur Temple And Historic City of Ayyuthaya
Benchmarking analysis between Borobudur Temple (Indonesia) and the Historic City of Ayutthaya (Thailand) reveals key performance gaps that could enhance tourism outcomes. The study, based on surveys of 100 Indonesian tourists familiar with both sites, identifies disparities in economic, satisfaction, sustainability, and organizational indicators. Findings suggest that leveraging Ayutthaya's strengths—such as its reputation for large-scale Hindu temples and ASEAN prominence—could improve Borobudur Temple's visitor experience and economic benefits for local communities. The research employs accidental sampling via online questionnaires to assess performance against predefined standards, offering actionable insights for local authorities to refine services and attract more tourists.
The Valuation of Heritage Interpretation for Conservation and Sustainable Tourism: A Case Study of the Historic City of Ayutthaya
A groundbreaking contingent valuation study of the UNESCO-listed Historic City of Ayutthaya reveals that visitors are willing to pay up to 422.44 Baht per day for heritage interpretation programs aimed at restoring and improving fifteen historic sites, with significant value also attributed to smaller-scale restoration efforts (137.44 Baht). Contrary to expectations, the study found no evidence of distance decay—a phenomenon where willingness to pay decreases with travel distance—challenging long-held assumptions in tourism economics. It also validated the scope test and ruled out anchoring bias statistically, underscoring the robustness of its methodology. The research highlights heritage interpretation as a critical tool for sustainable conservation and tourism, using one-day package entrance fees to align incentives effectively.
Assessing the Flood Impacts and the Cultural Properties Vulnerabilities in Ayutthaya, Thailand
Flood risk to Ayutthaya’s UNESCO World Heritage monuments is primarily determined by elevation above mean sea level and proximity to rivers or canals. A 2013 study analyzed flood-induced damage—categorized as high, medium, or low risk—and monument value (high, medium, or low) to prioritize conservation efforts. The research found that sites closer to water bodies faced the greatest vulnerability, particularly during the severe 2011 floods, which overwhelmed traditional canal-based flood defenses. By integrating environmental damage assessments with cultural significance rankings, the study highlighted critical areas for stakeholder-driven conservation planning to mitigate future risks.
Role-Play Gaming Simulation For Flood Management On Cultural Heritage: A Case Study Of Ayutthaya Historic City
Role-play gaming simulations effectively enhance public awareness and collaboration for flood management on cultural heritage, as demonstrated by a case study of Ayutthaya Historic City. The methodology, developed from existing data and role-playing techniques, improves understanding of flood impacts and fosters cooperation among government, private, and public sectors. This approach serves as a tool to deepen knowledge about participatory flood management, offering a practical solution for preserving cultural heritage in flood-prone areas.
World Heritage Sites and Domestic Tourism in Thailand
Rapidly growing domestic tourism, particularly from Thailand's urban middle class, is redefining the use and value of UNESCO World Heritage Sites while also exerting significant pressure on their conservation. This study highlights how metropolitan-driven development and shifting lifestyles are reshaping attitudes toward cultural and natural heritage, with Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, and the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex serving as case studies. By analyzing these tensions, researchers reveal a complex dynamic where tourism growth both benefits and threatens heritage preservation, offering critical insights for sustainable management in Thailand.
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