Navy threatens legal fight over relic wall

Navy threatens legal fight over relic wall

The navy is considering asking the Administrative Court to settle a dispute with the Fine Arts Department over an old wall in its compound. 

The dispute erupted after the department attempted to classify a disputed wall inside the navy's academy as a historical heritage site. The navy is planning renovations that involve tearing down the wall. 

Department officials inspected the wall and found it sits on top of another, older wall that belonged to the Thon Buri Palace during the King Taksin era, more than two centuries ago, said a navy source.

The disputed wall itself was not built in the King Taksin era, but constructed as part of the academy compound, presumably after the reign of King Rama V.

However, the department said the newer wall is still old enough to be listed as a site of historical heritage, according to the source.

If the dispute remains unresolved, the source said the navy will ask the court for a ruling on the matter, claiming that the Fine Arts Department could be accused of trying to interfere in the navy's internal affairs.

Navy commander Adm Kraisorn Chansuvanich said the department must listen to the views of the navy before it decides whether to register the wall as a heritage site, since the force supervises the area where the wall is located. 

"The wall is not a historical structure. It is only part of a building that can be changed for more suitable use," Adm Kraisorn said.

The commander added the department has no exact proof of when the wall was built, since there is no written record of when the Royal Thai Naval Academy wall was erected.

The academy was established during the time of King Rama V more than 100 years ago. The disputed wall was most probably built in a later reign, he said.

Fine Arts Department director-general Bovornvate Rungrujee said the wall is an ancient treasure.

"We are not concerned about when the wall was built, during King Taksin's rule or later," he said.

"It has archaeological and historical value, not least for the navy itself, and we have tried to explain this to the navy."

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