THE ROLES OF GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY ON LOCAL COMMUNITY MUSEUM MANAGEMENT: A CASE STUDY OF COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CHINATOWN IN THAILAND AND CHINATOWN IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

          The purposes of this research was: 1) To study the local community museums management through government and civil society management. 2) To compare the local community museums management between the management by the government and civil society. The sample groups are divided into 5 groups (42 people) which are executive, officer, tourist, people, and shopkeeper. The research instrument is a structured interview and use Analytic Induction for analyzing the data.

          It is found from the study that:

1. The common point of Tramit Temple Museum in Chinatown, Thailand and Teeth Buddha Temple Asian Museum in Chinatown, Singapore is the area of ​​religion but the exhibits and presentation methods differ according to the purpose. The purpose of Tramit Temple Museum is the migration of overseas Chinese into Siam whereas the purpose of Teeth Buddha Temple Asian Museum is the collection of ancient historical and Mahayana Buddhism artifacts.
2. The common points of Historic Hut Charoen Chai Community, Thailand and Chinatown Heritage Museum, Singapore are the setting up and driving by civil society, and focusing on storytelling as much as possible about the way of life and culture which differ according to the amount of space in the exhibit.
3. Should use the various technologies and media in the exhibition to increase the interest and learning efficiency combine with the practical activities. Also, should reflect and maintain the local identity through the cooperation and co-consciousness of people in the community.