History? What history? Bangkok Metropolitan Administration officials handling the ongoing renovation of a vintage building in the compound of Mahakan Fort may reply to anyone questioning their controversial work.
The renovation in which unskilled workers have turned the priceless building into tasteless looking structure has triggered an uproar from among conservationists and academics.
The work defies conservation principles and may permanently harm the structure, they said. And it's tantamount to erasing the building's history.
Ploenpote Atthakor is editorial pages editor, Bangkok Post.
The one-storey, Western-style building was put up under the supervision of Phraya Yannaprakat in 1916 during the era of King Rama VI. Historical records said it had served as a pier for noblemen and court ladies who were to take a boat trip to visit members of the royal family who, after the death of King Chulalongkorn, resettled in new residences out of the old-town area.
When road transport was more convenient, it was rarely used and eventually abandoned. Though it has suffered wear and tear over time as it received no maintenance, the building managed to keep its charm until it was handed to the BMA.
The careless work demonstrates that no studies were under taken before the work began – a prerequisite before any renovation project, academics noted.
The BMA said it would use the building as a venue for an exhibition and it has to rush the work as it is already one month behind schedule. The original plan was for the work to be completed in May.
The Fine Arts Department, the country's main conservation agency, told local media last week the BMA did not consult it before starting the work.
However, it stopped short of taking any measures to undo the harm inflicted on the building.
The Committee for the Conservation of Rattanakosin and Old Towns, a policy body that oversees town conservation affairs, has shamefully distanced itself from the issue, giving the BMA carte blanche to carry out the work, with adverse effects.
As the issue is hotly debated, the BMA argued the building has not yet been registered as an historical building by the Fine Arts Department. Such an argument betrays a sheer lack of responsibility and accountability by the city.
It's true the department has been too sluggish in this case, not duly registering the structure in accordance with the law, opening a loophole for malpractice.
That does not mean the BMA can compromise or destroy the old structure's value.
Not to mention that the agency ignored the building for so long. Last year, there were reports the building was illegally occupied by a group of city workers employed by Phra Nakhon district office.
Such occupation further harmed the old structure. It wasn't until members of the Mahakan Fort who were evicted brought up the issue with the BMA, that it eventually told the occupants to leave.
This is the second time the BMA has erased history from this part of the city.
The first time was when it completed the eviction of the old Mahakan Fort community earlier this year.
It wants to turn the area into a park, evicting the community that had settled in this area since the early Rattanakosin era.
Improper renovation work on an old building in the Mahakan Fort area which has stripped the structure of its history and character. (Photo courtesy Matichon)
A number of vintage houses, some original early Rattanakosin architectural style, were dismantled and it's believed they were discarded as mere debris. Now it's the Phraya Yannaprakat building that has falled victim to the BMA's ignorance.
Even though we cannot expect the BMA to do better -- its past performance in the Mahakan saga was shameful -- the indifference on the part of the Fine Arts Department and Rattanokosin committee is indeed a disappointment.