Surrounded by a tall fence, the once-grand Scala, the last stand-alone cinema in Bangkok -- a quasi Cinema Paradiso for movie buffs -- was razed to rubble and thus no more.
After serving moviegoers for half a century, the Scala saw the final curtain fall on July 5, 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Property Management of Chulalongkorn University (PMCU) has reportedly awarded the 30-year lease to a developer that is planning a new mixed-used building housing a hotel, shopping mall and office.
So La Scala had to go, as its old structural foundation could not support the new high-rise. However to keep its memory alive, the developer used a 3D scanner to digitally capture the building's architectural detail so that one day it can be reconstructed in all its former glory.
There is much nostalgia over the "spirit" and "soul" La Scala represents at a time when movies are being streamed to smartphones and laptops. Many critics have pontificated on what would have become of it had the old building remained in place.
This shines a spotlight on the tug-of-war between conservationists and commercial land developers. The Scala was not the first old building to fall, and it certainly won't be the last.
Over the past few decades, several architectural sites in the city have been bulldozed to give way to fresh real estate developments.
The PMCU itself inherited a vast swath of land years ago and was instructed by King Rama VI to use the land, mostly rice paddies at the time, for educational purposes. The PMCU has since been managing the university's financial area, spanning over 385 rai including the two districts of Siam and Samyan, and running numerous shopping malls while leasing the land to others.
The demolition of historic and cultural sites is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the existential threats facing those who want to conserve things from the past.
One issue that has been flying under the radar is how liberal arts studies may be increasingly irrelevant. In chasing higher world rankings and greater prestige for their research and innovation, more universities are looking to axe subjects that are not highly "marketable" or "commodified".
According to an anonymous source, Chulalongkorn University, which happens to be my alma mater, is discussing overhauling its arts curriculum to equip students with "21st-century skills". This of course begs the question, what exactly are 21st-century skills? Hard skills to compete with AI and robots?
The old faculty is allegedly reinventing itself to meet the demands of this "brave new world" of technology. My department has reduced "highbrow" courses like literature and philosophy. This reflects the current trend in language studies where marketable skills are prized above critical thinking.
This Darwinistic "adapt-or-die" ethos reflects such disturbing trends. In recent years, many humanities faculties have been merged and downsized due to financial concerns. A few years ago, Silpakorn University reportedly issued new regulations on the status of departments, increasing the chances of its philosophy department being demoted to a division.
Yet there is an argument that arts and science degrees can help to raise the country's economic status. Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Anek Laothamatas recently commended research on the history of science because its interdisciplinary paradigm can help Thailand to escape from the middle-income trap.
Chulalongkorn University is offering a new Bachelor of Arts and Science in Integrated Innovation (BAScII) amid concern over the small portion of arts subjects that are now available.
The government should do more to support the liberal and other arts, which also make money. Museums, for example, are not just a source of inspiration, but also buildings that support the design industry. Theatrical performances preserve classic stories but also require scripts and actors, thus bolstering these industries.
The government must promote culture and the arts as these are the foundation of a country's "soft power". Fully supporting aspiring young artists and performers following the success of K-pop sensation Lalisa "Lisa" Manoban of Blackpink is admirable, but what concrete steps will be taken? Indeed, the government should take a cue from Finland, which provides grants in the form of a monthly salary to support the growth of creative industries.
Of course, it is a challenge for the creative economy to flourish in an authoritarian society where freedom of expression is stifled. There is concern that many arts may perish, leaving us with just an empty vacuum.