Values of Landscape Elements for the Ensemble of Phanom Rung, Muang Tam and Plai Bat Sanctuaries, Buriram Province

Abstract

          This objective of this research is to study and to specify the values of landscape elements for the ensemble of Phanom Rung, Muang Tam and Plai Bat Sanctuaries, Buriram Province. With all Sanctuaries, Thailand had proposed for UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. This study intensively emphasizes on Settlement Pattern, Landscape Planning, Water Management, and also considering in Visual Quality. For data collection, data was collected from aerial photograph, satellite imagery, historical documents, exploration, and related parties and expertise conservationists. Then data was analyzed a comparative analysis of the values of landscape elements between these sanctuaries and others both in Thailand and other countries; especially Angkor Archaeological Park in Cambodia following Khmer Empire.
          Regarding to the main concept to propose Cultural World Heritage Sites by using the process of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) as a conceptual framework, our result found that values of the landscape elements comprise of analysis of similarities, differences or splendid outstanding by World Heritage Criteria including integrity and authenticity. The important historical sites of these sanctuaries are represented one of the absolute models of Khmer civilization in term of location selection, landscape planning design, water control, management on high and plain lands, and visual quality.
           In summary, the values of landscape elements will be the significant part of supportive documents on how to propose as a Cultural World Heritage Sites.