Railway Hall of Fame faces uncertain future

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Every October 23 for the past 20 years, Chulsiri Viryasiri, chairman of the Thai Rail Fan Club, has hosted a ceremony at the Railway Hall of Fame to honour King Chulalongkorn the Great.

He will do it again this year, but with a heavier heart than usual.

His sadness is caused by the Hall of Fame's uncertain future as the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), owner of the land where the museum is situated, wants to take back the plot of land and turn it into a dog park, to be run by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

It is understood that he is to leave the plot of land right away.

"But we will still hold the ceremony at the museum this year, the same way we have done all along. We will pay tribute to the great King who introduced trains and communication technologies as part of his plan to modernise Siam more than a century ago," Chulsiri said in a gloomy voice.

The museum, near the SRT's Railway Park, in Chatuchak district, was founded by Chulsiri's father, Sanpasiri Viryasiri, a legendary figure in Thailand's mass communications circle. With approval from the SRT, Sanpasiri officially opened the Railway Hall of Fame in the SRT building in 1990 on condition that the museum charges no fees and doesn't engage in any revenue-generating activities. Chulsiri took over the museum from his ailing father seven years ago.

The Railway Hall of Fame, despite its poor state, gained public recognition for its unique exhibits, which have included historical objects such as the Kingdom's first motorised tram and its last steam locomotive. Apart from train carriages, the displayed items cover the history of transport from before motor vehicles - a sailing boat, carts, a rickshaw and bicycles - to motorised transport - a tram, the growth of rail travel, cars, steamers, motorboats, aeroplanes and motorcycles. The museum's highlight is one of the country's remaining two golden teak carriages, bought by King Chulalongkorn. According to Chulsiri, it was once used as a mobile hospital. The other golden teak carriage was used as a mobile library that travelled to the provinces in line with the King's policy to promote modern education. It now serves as a library at Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong). Some of the exhibits are on loan from the SRT and others are from his father's private collection, including Bangkok's first tram, which, he said, was retrieved from Makkasan swamp.

It is not known what the SRT wants to do with the museum's exhibits after it reclaims the land.

"Apparently, the SRT does not care at all about the exhibits. It just wants the land. However, I will not move until I am sure the priceless items will be taken care of, otherwise they will end up on the scrap heap. If possible, I want permission from the SRT to take care of the exhibits," he said.

Chulsiri said the SRT has no interest in keeping such historical items, adding that several of them were discarded before the museum was established.

"Since the club makes an effort to keep them, they should be further conserved - in good condition."

He said the club is willing to take care of the exhibits that belong to the SRT, should the state enterprise allow it to do so.

However, he realises that it's not easy to find new land for the cash-strapped museum.

"I still have no money for the merit-making on October 23. I may have to sell my gold necklace to fund the event," he said.

The museum relies solely on donations, which come in meagre amounts. "The main donation, about 100 baht a day, comes from a group of old people who gather at the museum for karaoke sessions. I know the singing activity does not fit the place but there is no other way."

Architect and conservationist Ronarit Dhanakoses is planning a support campaign for Chulsiri and the museum.

He said, if necessary, the Railway Hall of Fame will have to move and discussions are under way with some agencies to find a new plot of land. That is not easy, though, given the sheer size of the museum's exhibits."In regards to the museum's historical value, its present site is the best location. But if the SRT really wants to take it back, we have to find new site. We cannot afford to lose the museum."

Ronarit, who has previously worked for the National Discovery Museum Institute, said he plans to negotiate with the SRT and hopes the agency will continue to give cooperation to the museum, allowing the club to take care of its exhibits, even if it moves to a new place.

The museum is very important, for it has recorded the technological development in the country's mass transportation, he said.

"Unfortunately, Uncle Chunsiri has been left to take care of the museum single-handedly without state help for so long. It's time for society to give a helping hand," he said.

At some point, the Rail Fan Club will have to be upgraded, said Ronarit.

"All good cities in this world have a railway museum. Bangkok should have one also, rather than just having old carriages placed at railway stations, which is what the SRT does these days."

INFO FOR DONATIONS

Contact person: Chulsiri Viryasiri
Address: Railway Hall of Fame, beside the car park at Gate 2, Chatuchak Park, Kamphaeng Phet 3 Road,
Chatuchak district, Bangkok 10900
Tel: 08-1615-5776
Fax: 02-517-2330