The conservation and management of Thailand's cultural heritage falls largely under the purview of the Fine Arts Department, under the framework of the Act on Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums, B.E. 2504 (1961). Under the law, the department has authority to manage and protect architectural sites, antiques and objets d'art of significant artistic, historical, or archaeological value. It is also responsible for operating national museums for the safekeeping of such artefacts. As of September 2015, the Department lists 5,678 ancient monuments, 2,087 of which have officially been registered. It operates 43 national museums throughout the country.