Kanchanaburi province is known for its attractive tourist landmarks such as the bridge over the River Kwai and "Death Railway" as much as famous wild forest and waterfalls.
Yet, there is a hidden gem, an 83-year-old rundown paper mill located in the middle of the municipality.
The paper mill recently became an example to other local communities when the province persuaded the Treasury Department to let it develop the old building into a community centre. Usually, the department auctions state plots and unused old buildings to private developers.
In August this year, after hearing of the plan, the department asked the province to send an official request to develop the 70 rai of land into a learning centre, local museum and community space.
Previously, the department had planned to auction the property privately with the intention of seeing it turned into a boutique hotel and commercial space.
The green light from the department is a victory for a local community campaign that has been running for over a year to have a say in preserving this local architectural treasure.
Vital role: Built in 1935 by an unknown German engineer, the paper mill produced pulp for the country to print its own banknotes during World War II.
HIDDEN GEM
The paper mill was built 83 years ago by an unknown German engineer with financing from the Thai government. It was used to supply pulp during World War II and part of the plot is located along the River Kwai.
It terms of its commercial value, the plot and vintage factory are estimated to be worth 1.5 billion baht by the department.
In 2013, the department announced a plan to auction the plot to a private developer.
Leasing old buildings to private developers is nothing new. Previously, the department awarded a 30-year-concession to develop the 128-year-old Old Custom House by the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok to SET-listed U City for 1.6 billion baht.
The company planned to spend a further 1 billion baht to restore the vintage building into a high-end boutique hotel.
However, the plot in Kanchanaburi did not go to the commercial sector. The property happens to be adjacent to an ancient wall which has been registered as a national historical site under Fine Arts Department laws. That made the provincial authority reluctant to go along with plans for commercial development.
However, it was the local community that demanded the plot be used for public purposes.
PM support: On Nov 18 this year, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha visits the paper mill during his mobile cabinet meeting. The premier met with the local community to discuss the future of the mill.
POPULAR SUPPORT
The story of the Kanchanaburi paper mill received a lot of media exposure this year where, until recently, only locals knew about it. Now, it has become very well known. Thai Rath -- the national Thai language newspaper with the highest-circulation -- featured the community's campaign on its front page twice, not to mention the TV news and social media coverage the project received.
The driving force for all this has been a civic group called the "Phoom Ban Phoom Muang Kan" network (Knowledge of Our Home and Community).
The de-facto leader of this group is national artist Naowarat Pongpaiboon, a native of the province.
The network also has a lot of followers, including respected local figures, academics and many residents.
More support has come from provincial governor Jirakiat Bhumisawasdi who has thrown his weight behind the campaign.
Since early this year, local civic group named "Phoom Ban Phoom Muang Kan" network (Knowledge of Our Home and Community) has launched a campaign to persuade landlord Treasury Department and government to let local community use the property for local museum and public space.
MORE THAN AN OLD BUILDING
From the outside, the paper mill resembles any run-down warehouse. But the factory once has seen some glory days.
It was a sign of modernity when it opened 80 years ago, according Praput Maliphol, a local teacher who lives near the property.
It was the first place to have a television in the province, and its compound once had a tennis court, clubhouse and beautiful architecture.
People in the area were accustomed to the sound of chimneys from the factory until it closed in 1982.
The landlord in 1987 then leased the property to a private printing house for 30 years for an annual rent of 130,000 baht.
That lease expired on Nov 9 this year and, with strong pressure from local community, the department was reluctant to begin a fresh round of bidding.
Furthermore, the provincial governor also refused to sign documents to allow a private company to operate on the plot.
For the local community, the mill is more than just a photogenic vintage factory. It tells a story about the changing face of the province over the last century.
One resident said: "This place is a hidden gem. But it is only known about by local people. Tourists do not know much about it. However, the site has huge potential.
"Part of the property is adjacent to the river and its location is right in the middle of town. Private developers would love to develop the old structure into a boutique hotel and mall," said the resident, who asked not to be named.
"We agreed that the paper mill property must serve a public purpose after the lease expired. It should not be put up for auction to a private company," Mr Naowarat told the Bangkok Post.
"The improvement scheme should harness the charming architecture of the factory to improve the landscape of the city."
Iconic status: Although run-down now, the mill was once an icon of modernity 80 years ago. The complex once had a tennis court, clubhouse and was the first place to have a television in the province.
GOOD LOBBYING
In July, the community group travelled to Bangkok and presented a letter to the government asking for state help to preserve the mill.
They told the government that they feared that private commercial development would damage the ancient wall which was built in 1831 during the reign of King Rama III.
They said the factory itself would be an ideal site for a local museum and community hub.
The group also asked the government for rights to co-develop the site and put forward proposals to work with the private sector on the project.
Government representatives visited the area in October this year.
But the most encouraging sign came in November when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha visited the site during a mobile cabinet trip.
At the visit, Gen Prayut gave the green light for the community plan to proceed and discussed with campaigners and local officials how their plans could become a model for similar land development projects nationwide, according to Mr Jirakiat.
"The prime minister has acknowledged that the paper mill area can be developed for community purposes," the governor said.
"So, we have to be clear about how to manage the land development model and draft new regulations."
THE FUTURE
Currently, the province is preparing a document to ask the Fine Arts Department to register the paper mill as a national historic site. It has also concluded an initial development plan.
It is proposed that the area will be divided into three parts -- a community area for public activities, a learning zone, including a local museum, and a commercial space where local products and food can be sold to tourists and the public.
historic site: The vintage factory is located in a historic part of the town. The plot contains part of the ancient wall King Rama III ordered to be built over 180 years ago to protect Thais from soldiers from Myanmar.
Iconic status: Although run-down now, the mill was once an icon of modernity 80 years ago. The complex once had a tennis court, clubhouse and was the first place to have a television in the province.
PM support: On Nov 18 this year, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha visits the paper mill during his mobile cabinet meeting. The premier met with the local community to discuss the future of the mill.