Greenation International Journal of Law and Social Sciences
Vol. 4 No. 4 (2026): (GIJLSS) Greenation International Journal of Law and Social Sciences (September

Designing a Sui Generis Regime for Traditional Cultural Expressions in Indonesian Tourism: Lessons from the Philippines & Thailand

Agustianto Agustianto (Universitas Internasional Batam, Batam, Indonesia.)
Jocelyn Jocelyn (Universitas Internasional Batam, Batam, Indonesia.)
Hari Sutra Disemadi (Universitas Internasional Batam, Batam, Indonesia.)
Ruetaitip Chansrakaeo (Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage, Thailand.)
Dame Afrina Sihombing (Universitas Internasional Batam, Batam, Indonesia.)



Article Info

Publish Date
22 Sep 2026

Abstract

The increasing commercialization of Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCEs) within the tourism sector poses risks of misuse, cultural misrepresentation, and inequitable treatment of custodian communities. This study aims to compare the regulatory frameworks governing TCE protection in tourism across Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, and to formulate an ideal regulatory design to strengthen TCE protection in Indonesia. The research employs a normative legal method, utilizing statutory and comparative approaches. Secondary data, consisting of legislative materials, were collected through library research and analyzed using comparative legal analysis and prescriptive analysis techniques. The findings indicate that all three countries recognize TCEs as intangible cultural heritage requiring protection; however, they differ in their legal constructions of control. Indonesia adopts a state-ownership model, reinforced through communal intellectual property registration and the Law on Cultural Advancement. The Philippines emphasizes a community ownership model grounded in the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), while Thailand relies on institutional oversight through the Intangible Cultural Heritage Commission. Although Indonesia’s framework aligns with Hadjon’s Legal Protection Theory, it remains largely administrative, fragmented, and insufficient in ensuring effective control by custodian communities. Accordingly, an ideal regulatory framework should be directed toward a sui generis regulatory design incorporating FPIC principles; regulatory delivery through the integration of communal intellectual property registration with tourism licensing and benefit-sharing mechanisms; and regulatory inspection through the establishment of a dedicated TCE supervisory commission.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

GIJLSS

Publisher

Subject

Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

Greenation International Journal of Law and Social Sciences (GIJLSS) is a journal that uses a blind peer-review model that can be accessed online. GIJLSS aims to publish a journal containing quality articles that will be able to contribute thoughts from theoretical and empirical perspectives for the ...