Finally, there's some good news. An old mansion in Bangkok that has been restored to its past glory has received Unesco recognition.
The mansion, known as Phraya Sri Thammathirat Residence in the bustling Rong Muang area, belongs to the Crowd Property Bureau (CPB), which rents it out to Sitabut Suksa Chinese language school. It is one of 14 projects from 10 countries to get the conservation honour.
The building was constructed some time between the end of King Rama V's reign and the early part of Rama VI's reign. It is one of the heritage buildings owned by the bureau.
A few decades ago, this two-storeyed mansion was a dilapidated structure that was doomed for demolition as the school wanted to expand its building. The school management's wish to demolish the structure is understandable; the deterioration was so bad that no one would ever think of renovating it.
For those who can't imagine how poor the building was, Sueb Boonyarattapan visited the mansion and remarked: "It's heart-breaking to find the building is rotting away in such disrepair that I thought I would never be back there again."
The bureau, however, convinced the school the building was worth restoring. Everybody knew it would be difficult, but they decided to give it a try. The renovations began in 2011 and were completed last year. Now, the renovated structure is to serve as a reception hall for the school.
I had a chance to witness the renovation work during a study trip organised about two years ago by the Siamese Society and the bureau. Despite construction materials scattered about, I was stunned by the building's breath-
taking beauty.
Both the bureau and the school deserve applause for this restoration project. The school, realising the value of its building, agreed to pay for the restoration cost of 12 million baht. The CPB's contribution was to be a so-called "zero grant", as the bureau, with assistance from the Fine Arts Department, provided only technical assistance, and not money.
That said, the bureau eventually pitched in 1.6 million baht for extra work — the restoration of mural paintings that were later discovered during restoration work.
Oranuch Im-Arrom, a senior official of the bureau, said the agency is committed to conserving national heritage, after learning from past mistakes: The demolition of the old Mingmuang market a few decades ago, which was replaced by the Old Siam complex is a prime example.
Since its shift toward restoration, the bureau has had other success stories, too, including the renovation of shophouses in Na Phra Lan and Tha Phra Athit. These are outstanding, given the bureau's efforts to accommodate the old tenants by incorporating them into its conservation process. The Luenrit community in Chinatown, which was once locked in conflicts with the bureau, is about to join the group.
Yongthanit Pimonsathian, a lecturer at Thammasat University's Urban Environmental Planning and Development, who played a key role in the bureau's conservation scheme, said community members have the potential to preserve national heritage.
Unfortunately, not many of them, especially those living on state, temple or private lands, have a chance to do so. Because existing laws are not on the
people's side, these communities live under constant fear of forced eviction.
In reality, the conservationists' call to preserve properties along with existing tenants, as "living museums", tend to fall on deaf ears. The Mahakan Fort community in Phra Nakhon district has fought for decades against an eviction order by City Hall, which wants to turn the area into a public park. Wat Kallaya temple, as I have mentioned before, is still as ruthless as ever in kicking people out of their homes.
While conservationists regard the community highly, calling it a potential learning centre for old traditions, the temple abbots view them as "slums" that must be weeded out.
How good it would be if landlords — monks, laypersons, state officials — who own heritage structures learn from the bureau's restoration and development model.
Yet, under the circumstances, this is just wishful thinking.
Ploenpote Atthakor is deputy editorial pages editor, Bangkok Post