Mr. Tepsak Titaraksa, Deputy Governor of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), chaired a worshiping ceremony for the survey and design project of MEA Wat Liab’s Building 1 on 10 August 2020 at MEA Wat Liab, Bangkok.
The Fine Arts Department and Engineering Institute of Thailand (SAT) are consultants for planning and restoring the building to its original form.
MEA Wat Liab is historically significant in terms of electricity generation as it dates back over 100 years. It was Thailand’s first power plant and first office of Siam Electricity Co., Ltd. which operated electricity generation and distribution. Later, the government renamed Siam Electricity Co., Ltd. as Bangkok Electricity and operated under the Ministry of Interior.
Samsen Electricity Division started distribution of electricity for the northern part of Klong Bangkok Noi and Klong Banglamphu in early 1914, and continued operation until the government changed. The new government merged Bangkok Electricity with Samsen Electricity Diversion to become a state-owned enterprise with the new name of Metropolitan Electricity Authority effective 1 August 1958 until now.
The Deputy Governor stated: “MEA Wat Liab Division was constructed during the reign of King Rama V. The three-storey building used reinforced concrete made in Thailand in the early days. The interior of the building has a unique architectural style with patterns on top of the pillars and gorgeously painted walls. It used to be the head office consisting of a governor’s room and an executive meeting room. It, thereby, has historical significance that is worthy of conservation as an historic building with particular architecture and history.”
“For this reason, MEA plans to renovate the building and surrounding area to create Thai Electricity Museum. There are also beautiful historical landmarks located nearby, namely, Rama I Bridge, Wat Prayurawongsawat, Santa Cruz Temple, Wat Kalayanamitr, Kudi Chin Community, Phra Prang at Wat Arun, Postage Building, and Guan Yu Shrine. Plus more recent tourist destinations such as Yodpiman Market, and Chao Phraya Sky Park (Thailand’s first sky park on the Phra Nakhon side which is a beautiful relaxation area amid the Chao Phraya River connecting Thonburi and Phra Nakhon.)”
“The MEA sees the Thai Electricity Museum as helping to preserve Thai culture, society and nation. Thai people will therefore be happy to visit this new important landmark of Bangkok.”
