CITYWATCH

Bangkok residents must unite to save the capital

By Achara Deboonme

Published on January 20, 2010

All museums in Thailand are dull and show very little. This is the constant complaint from visitors, until one visits the museum in Muang Nan.

Located in the heart of the city, the museum was once the residence of the local rulers - with Chao Promtada being the last. The building was nationalised after the 1932 revolution, turned into the City Hall and then a museum.

The museum is now one of the province's top tourist attractions, apart from a number of ancient temples and natural features. And without stepping inside the old building, you would never know why.

The museum walks visitors through the province's history. On the first floor, visitors see Nan during its 10,000 to 20,000 prehistoric years with ancient agricultural tools and life-sized models of hilltribe people on display.

On the second floor, visitors get to admire the family tree of the Nan rulers through photographs, some of which even feature members of the Siamese royal family. There is ancient earthenware unearthed from Sobsuak Village on show in two glass cabinets. Many corners are devoted to old wooden Buddha images unearthed from different parts of the province.

The museum enlightens people about Nan's colourful history, while at the entrance visitors learn why Nan, unlike other big cities, remains peaceful.

Wandering around the city, visitors immediately realise how the residents are unified in wanting to preserve their hometown. Roads are clearly marked for parking, bike lanes are available everywhere, and most pickups, motorbikes and other vehicles are driven at a very low speed.

What's most notable is that the cars don't emit black smoke or honk. The residents themselves, though ready to serve visitors, do so without changing their manner.

Bangkok is completely different. Though bike lanes have been promoted, they are not readily available. Drivers zigzag on the street, without caring for others. Residents prefer to confine themselves to their homes, rather than waste time on something meant for the entire community.

Of course, people can say that Bangkok is far too large, and the residents come from different parts of the country.

However, these people could find a common goal - turning Bangkok into a liveable city.

The way to go might be to set up a museum - one that takes visitors through history and shows them how Bangkok has been attracting people from every part of the country as well as foreigners for more than 200 years.

Regrettably, there's no such museum in Bangkok. Though the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has sponsored many museums, none of them shows Bangkok in the past.

Most of them show what the |capital has to offer, but not how Bangkok became what it is today.

Without being given a proper background, it would be difficult for the residents to become passionate about any changes. Take the bike lane, for instance - it's a great idea that has never been followed up on.

ACHARA DEBOONME

-- The Nation 2010-01-20

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Poor article IMO.

Is it about museums or traffic?

comparing bangkok to nan is far fetched