Focus Will Be On Cultural Exchange Under Aec: Minister

[Lite Beer]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Focus will be on cultural exchange under AEC: Minister

October 7, 2012 1:00 am

Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome

BANGKOK: -- Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome from the Palang Chon Party speaks to The Nation on Sunday's Budsarakham Sinlapalavan and Wannapa Khaopa about her job after having served in the Cabinet for more than a year. She dwells on a wide range of subjects, including film ratings and her ministry's preparation for the Asean Economic Community in 2015.

How does the Culture Ministry plan to protect historical and ancient sites from floods?

Local officials in flood-risk areas have been told to monitor the flood situation that may affect the sites, particularly those near riverbanks. They will use communication technology to immediately send information to other officials in nearby zones, so they can work together and share equipment immediately to deal with problems caused by floods. Traditional designs of ancient monuments facing repetitive floods will be copied and readied to fix any damage caused by the floods so that they retain their old features.

We will also train local craftsmen or artisans on special repair techniques so that they can help repair temples that are not registered with the ministry in a proper way.

An 18+ rating film [erotic movie Jan Dara] has led to a debate in society and there are concerns about its impact on youngsters who watch it. Will the Culture Ministry review the rating?

The National Film Board has regulations for ratings, and it issues ratings to each film as per the regulations. The board will decide whether it will review the rating's enforcement or not. We cannot limit teenagers' rights. Regarding concerns that youngsters less than 18 years old will watch the 18-plus rated movie, all stakeholders will have to cooperate. Parents should talk to their children while cinemas should screen customers to ensure that those who are too young do not watch it.

There has been a criticism in social media about censoring Shizuka, a girl from the Doraemon cartoon series, taking a bath. What do you think about this?

I'm not aware of this. However, Doraemon is a cartoon for children and they can watch it at home. If children have questions about censorship, parents will have to explain to them.

In 2015, the Asean Economic Community will come into effect. How is the ministry preparing for cultural exchanges and the challenges?

The Culture Ministry emphasises on people-to-people contact as people are an important part of cultural exchange. They are the smallest unit, but they can create a big impact. We will provide young people more opportunities to promote Thai culture among other Asean countries so that they learn from people of those countries, too. Not only Asean, but we also have cultural exchange with China, South Korea and Japan. We invited Asean countries to perform the Ramayana, the epic that is part of each country's culture, late last year. Asean countries also joined our 'Art for All' activity to improve the skills of children with disability. We learn the way of life, art, languages, music and culture from each other.

We are collaborating with those countries to exchange culture calendars of each country. So, we can plan when and where we can meet to show our culture together.

Thai actors and actresses are becoming popular in China. How is the Culture Ministry planning to promote Thai culture and tourism through Thai films and soap operas famous in China?

We have asked entrepreneurs of films and soap operas to insert beautiful scenery of tourist destinations in Thailand. The ministry is setting up a fund to promote the film industry.

How is the progress on the art gallery project on Ratchadamnoen Avenue?

We're renovating at the moment. Asean artists will come to exhibit their works, especially paintings and drawings, in Thailand in November. Their works will be exhibited in early December when the first zone of the gallery will be officially opened.

How does the Culture Ministry plan to engage with people, especially the youth most of whom prefer socialising in the cyber world?

We've invited them to join a short-film contest via online media. We're making changes to the websites of the ministry and its departments, making them friendlier for users, with easier access. We have a mobile-phone application that gives information about each province's map of cultural tourist destinations and advice on travel plans.

-- The Nation 2012-10-07

[GentlemanJim]

How does the Culture Ministry plan to protect historical and ancient sites from floods?

Local officials in flood-risk areas have been told to monitor the flood situation that may affect the sites, particularly those near riverbanks. They will use communication technology to immediately send information to other officials in nearby zones, so they can work together and share equipment immediately to deal with problems caused by floods. Traditional designs of ancient monuments facing repetitive floods will be copied and readied to fix any damage caused by the floods so that they retain their old features.

So the answer was - 'there is no plan to protect historical and ancient sites from floods',

[Thai at Heart]

Local officials in flood-risk areas have been told to monitor the flood situation that may affect the sites, particularly those near riverbanks. They will use communication technology to immediately send information to other officials in nearby zones, so they can work together and share equipment immediately to deal with problems caused by floods. Traditional designs of ancient monuments facing repetitive floods will be copied and readied to fix any damage caused by the floods so that they retain their old features.

That's it, enough already, they had their chance, someone change this bloody government before the whole place falls completely to bits.

officials have been told to communicate? Be wary of areas especially next to river banks?

[GentlemanJim]

I particularly liked the bit about them copying all the ancient monuments to replace the originals when they are damaged. No hint of protecting the originals. There must be someone at the World Heritage commission spilling his coffee this morning.

[whybother]

Wow. The Culture Ministry is going focus on Cultural exchange under the AEC.

And there I was thinking they would be focusing on transport.

[culicine]

Wow. The Culture Ministry is going focus on Cultural exchange under the AEC.

And there I was thinking they would be focusing on transport.

Maybe she was implying the government will focus of cultural exchange - after all they don't have much else to offer other countries in the region

[asiawatcher]

"... They will use communication technology to immediately send information to other officials in nearby zones, so they can work together and share equipment immediately to deal with problems caused by floods. "

Not a good answer Minister.

[asiawatcher]

On the comments regarding Jan Dara as "erotic" and censorship, why not look at Karma Sutra films as culturally expressing artistic sensibilities? Why hide it and pretend to yourselves this may affect children? Thailand is rife as the sex capital of the area, a high percentage of adult males have meanoi's and giks, and the streets are full of "offers" at every shopping mall, bar and even simply being a pedestrian. Instead of trying to make the subject taboo, make it an endorsement of something terrific as believe it or not, our kids will be subjected to it in the future. Grow up.

[Albacore]

I particularly liked the bit about them copying all the ancient monuments to replace the originals when they are damaged. No hint of protecting the originals. There must be someone at the World Heritage commission spilling his coffee this morning.

How shameful. I'd rather see the original damaged rubble than newly replaced parts of old temples and other buildings. I found it considerably annoying to see all the tacky looking replacements at Angkor Wat. They just don't mesh well at all, and I'd rather look at a photograph of what it was than a hokey reproduction attached to an original.

[h90]

I particularly liked the bit about them copying all the ancient monuments to replace the originals when they are damaged. No hint of protecting the originals. There must be someone at the World Heritage commission spilling his coffee this morning.

why not copy other monuments and place it in Thailand?

The Pyramids for example?

[GentlemanJim]

I particularly liked the bit about them copying all the ancient monuments to replace the originals when they are damaged. No hint of protecting the originals. There must be someone at the World Heritage commission spilling his coffee this morning.

why not copy other monuments and place it in Thailand?

The Pyramids for example?

Put that in the PTP suggestion box, it seems like a fine way to shift a few more billion baht into different bank accounts around the world.

[MEL1]

Comics and more comics, real ones and booked ones!

-mel.

[dcutman]

Have you had one of those weird dreams, that make absolutely no sense, and wonder what would make you dream such things? Then you realize your not sleeping, you just read the news on Thai Visa, and your living the dream in Thailand.

These are the great minds that run this country, and they are all alike.

[h90]

I particularly liked the bit about them copying all the ancient monuments to replace the originals when they are damaged. No hint of protecting the originals. There must be someone at the World Heritage commission spilling his coffee this morning.

why not copy other monuments and place it in Thailand?

The Pyramids for example?

Put that in the PTP suggestion box, it seems like a fine way to shift a few more billion baht into different bank accounts around the world.

rebuilding the pyramids (in concrete) would be a nice investment for the country. A lot kick backs on the concrete purchase, using more sand in the mix doesn't harm much because the static isn't sensitive. AND they can bury the god like leader from Dubai inside.