Abstract:
The purpose of this research is to study the Buddhist fine art, and the Buddhist fine art conservation at the royal temples of Chiang Rai province; and to study the ways in which to promote the conservation of these Buddhist fine artworks in the temples throughout Chiang Rai province. The researcher intention was to conduct the research at three royal temples, namely; Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Phra Sing, and Wat Chet Yot, which are located within the Chiang Rai city municipality. The population used included: abbots, abbots' representatives, historians, archaeologists, Chiang Rai artists, and the general public. The findings of the study were as follows:
The Buddhist fine art at the royal temples in Chiang Rai province which mainly consists of sculptures and wood carvings which form part of the royal temples' architecture. It was found that the significance and the meaning of these artworks have not been sufficiently explained and presented to the public. As well as artistic features inherent in the architecture there are sculptures in bronze and gold, many Buddha images and stucco sculptures. The paintings are all murals; intricate and finely detailed. Most of the architecture and artworks within the temples are in
the Lanna style. out how Buddhist fine artworks throughout the royal temples were conserved. It was found that there were three ways in which conservation of the artworks and an understanding of their significance can be made apparent; firstly through the presence of monks onsite and the continued use of the temples as places for Buddhist activity within the community; secondly, by having a museum for conserving donated Buddhist fine artworks which are not part of the temple architecture, and ; thirdly, by the conservation and presentation of knowledge
through brochures and leaflets, and through the temples' websites.