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The four main changes on the trans- modernization of the world in general, which

mission of Thai traditional medicine knowl- has leaded Thailand to a far more untraditional
edge has shown that in one hand, they have civilization. The modernization of the world
contributed to the preservation of Thai tradi- brings social changes, which mold as instance

tional medicine knowledge, which was com- the traditional values and relationship be-
promised after the fall of Ayutthaya. It has tween teacher and student, resulting in a
also shown that transcriptions of traditional complete disconnection to the ùchainû that

knowledge, into written forms, do not neces- would sustain the traditionalism of Thai tra-
sarily implies the end of oral teachings, in- ditional knowledge. Adding to the risk caused

stead, it supports the traditional teaching. by the modernization of the world, in the case
However, in another hand, it has shown that of traditional medicine, the danger of biopiracy
in more recent times, since the establishment exists, as well as the piracy of the knowledge

of schools and universities, an inward dis- itself. Thus, Thai authorities aware of such
connection is happening - the break of the risks has established a law to protect and

ùchainû, that is to say, the break of the regular preserve the Thai medical wisdom, protect-
and uninterrupted transmission of traditional ing their medicinal herbs as well as the intel-
knowledge. Because a knowledge, to be con- lect property of khrus, which since then, have

sidered traditional, must imply ùtheoryû and become a property of the nation. The law
ùpracticeû as sympathetic, involving initiation, was established in November 1999 by the
traditional teaching (relationship between late King Rama IX, Bhumibhol Adulyadej,

teacher and student + oral transmission) and called The Protection and Promotion of Tra-
accomplishment of the manûs art followed by ditional Thai Medicine Wisdom Act, B.E. 2542/
the performance of rite and use of symbols. 1999. This law states that a committee shall

With this break in the chain, the individual exist, in order to:
is no longer aware of the inward aspects of çGive advices or consultations to the

traditional knowledge, and therefore, tradi- Minister; [...] to promote and develop the
tional knowledge is turned into a mere sci- wisdom of Thai traditional medicine; [...] to
entific knowledge, under the domain of rea- determine measures in order to protect the

son. wisdom; [...] to give approval in case of re-
It is important to add that, it is not the vocation of the registration of Thai tradi-

changes in Thai history that has impacted tional medicine wisdom; [...] to consider or
Thai traditional medical knowledge, but the decide appeals against the order or deci-