Paper short abstract:

Using the case study of the Kui in Thailand, this paper explores how environmental protections focused on the Asian elephant and regulation of forest spaces, resulted in the endangerment of Kui heritage tied to these areas; presenting community and State responses (or lack thereof) to this loss.

Paper long abstract:

This paper focuses on the Indigenous Kui community in the Northeast of Thailand - who have a centuries-long culture centred around the live capture of elephants from the wild, and the impact that environmental conservation measures - in the form of protections placed on the Asian elephant and the governmental regulation of forest spaces, has had on their cultural heritage. This is informed by fieldwork that took place with the Kui community from 2018-2020. These protections, targeting the preservation of wildlife and 'natural resources', were made without considering the Kui's ties to the elephants and wild spaces. Thai regulation currently does not protect any heritage that conflicts with existing laws/regulation and further offers no recognition of Indigeneity (and thereby no protection of Indigenous rights); driving parts of Kui heritage to the verge of extinction while also leaving the preservation of this culture entirely within the hands of the community itself. This paper will explore the circumstances leading to this cultural endangerment, presenting the initial value conflict between environmental protection and Indigenous heritage, and the cultural adaptation that has occurred in response. However, not all aspects of Kui heritage have been able to overcome the environmental changes produced by national legislation and those traditions that have adapted are no longer considered authentic by many within the community. This paper will therefore also serve as a case study that is perhaps now too late to remedy, to highlight the crucial need for more integrated and dynamic nature conservation schemes and legislation.