Asia’s splendid heritage is at risk—from rapid economic growth, government neglect, and poorly managed tourism. But people have become passionately involved in protecting Asia’s heritage—as activists, organizers, critics, teachers, artists, and entrepreneurs. Last year a group met at a conference hosted by the Siam Society to share their experience on what has been done in the past, and their ideas on what should be done in the future. These are now published in Protecting Asia’s Heritage Yesterday and Tomorrow (The Siam Society and Silkworm Books, 2020). Twelve authors from eleven of the region’s countries discuss issues of law, principle, and practicality in preserving old Siamese temples, Korea’s religious murals, urban neighbourhoods in Beijing, Laotian textiles, Javanese ruins, Cambodian performing arts, old quarters of Bangkok and George Town, creative arts of the Philippines, Calcutta’s legacy of colonial architecture, China’s historic salt industry, and the Burmese cat. The group has since set up the ASEAN Heritage Alliance.

The book will be available for purchase at https://silkwormbooks.com/products/protecting-asias-heritage