About Us
The SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SEAMEO SPAFA) promotes professional competence, awareness and preservation of cultural heritage, in the fields of archaeology and fine arts in Southeast Asia. It is a regional centre constituted in 1985 from the SEAMEO Project in Archaeology and Fine Arts, which provided the acronym ‘SPAFA’. The Centre is part of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), an international organization dedicated to promoting co-operation in education, science and culture in Southeast Asia.
Member Countries
- Brunei Darussalam
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Lao PDR
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Vietnam
Associate Member Countries
- Australia
- Canada
- Germany
- France
- New Zealand
- Netherlands
- Spain
- United Kingdom
Founding Purposes
Cultivate awareness and appreciation of cultural heritage through collaborations.
Promote archaeological and cultural activities.
Further professional competence in archaeology and fine arts.
Advance mutual understanding among the countries of Southeast Asia.
Our History
1971
Establishment of the SEAMEO-initiated ARCAFA (Applied Research Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts).
In 1971, the Applied Research Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (ARCAFA) was initiated to discover and preserve the cultural heritage of Southeast Asia. The Centre was in operation for a two-year interim phase (1975-77)
1978
Launch of SPAFA (SEAMEO Project in Archaeology and Fine Arts) and its co-ordinating unit in Bangkok.
SEAMEO re-established ARCAFA in 1978 as a Project in Archaeology and Fine Arts. A co-ordinating unit was based in Bangkok, with three sub-centres in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei became members later, followed by Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
1981
Approval of SEAMEO SPAFA as a permanent project.
1985
Establishment of the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts
The SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SEAMEO SPAFA) was constituted in 1985 (the acronym, SPAFA, is based on the project name, ‘SEAMEO Project in Archaeology and Fine Arts’).
1993
Inauguration of the newly-built SEAMEO SPAFA building.
On June 12, 1993, the newly-built SEAMEO SPAFA building was inaugurated by H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to mark the official transfer of the Centre, hosted by the Royal Thai Government, from the SEAMEO Secretariat building.
The Centre Directors
| Name | Tenure of Office |
| Mrs Somlak Charoenpot | 1 October 2019 – Present |
| Dr M.R. Rujaya Abhakorn | 2010 – 2019 |
| Dr Pisit Charoenwongsa | 1999 – 2010 |
| Dr Ruang Charoenchai | 1993 – 1998 |
| Prof. M.C. Subhadradis Diskul | 1987 – 1993 |
