It has been 110 years since King Rama VI of Thailand graciously established the Department of Fine Arts on 27 March 1911. The department has ever since committed to firm management of the nation’s art and cultural heritage, from conservation and protection to research, development, and innovation of all works of art.
The department has delivered a satisfactory performance for the past year, including managing learning centres with international standards, undertaking renovations and developing learning centres and cultural tourist sites, sharing knowledge with the public, providing solid foundations for society, and generating revenue from tourism for the country. Many more renovation and establishment projects will be launched in 2021.
The department recognises the importance of conserving cultural heritage, maintaining infrastructure and facilities, improving exhibitions and landscapes, and developing information technology systems in order to elevate the sites and support tourism.
Important missions undertaken by the department during 2020-2021 are as follows:
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MUSEUM FOR THE ROYAL CREMATION CEREMONY OF HIS MAJESTY KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ THE GREAT
To honour and commemorate the royal grace of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, the Department of Fine Arts will establish the Museum for the Royal Cremation Ceremony of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great in Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province. Slated to open in 2024, the museum will serve as a knowledge hub of ancient and royal traditions concerning the royal cremation ceremony and construction of the royal crematoria which are considered a national heritage.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC CULTURAL HERITAGE AND KORAN LEARNING CENTRE
Museum of Islamic Cultural Heritage and Koran Learning Centre
The Museum of Islamic Cultural Heritage and Koran Learning Centre will be founded in Lahan Sub-district, Yi-ngo District, Narathiwat Province. It will feature knowledge regarding the Holy Koran and Islamic cultural heritage to foster a sense of pride and awareness among locals in southern border provinces. The resources will be available in three languages: Thai, English, and Jawi.
ESTABLISHMENT OF BAN CHIANG ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH CENTRE
In recognition of the importance of modern education and research of Ban Chiang Archaeological Site, the Department of Fine Arts will establish a research centre, situated in Ban Chiang National Museum, Udon Thani Province. The centre will feature artefacts returned from abroad and discovered in excavations as well as modern facilities for students, researchers, and tourists.
ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTRAL STORAGE BUILDING, NATIONAL MUSEUM
Central Storage Building, National Museum
The Department of Fine Arts is decorating and installing various systems of the Central Storage Building, National Museum, in Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province. It will host up to 200,000 artefacts and antiques dating back to the inauguration of the National Museum Bangkok. The modern centre is equipped with strict security, proper conservation systems, and humidity, temperature and environment controls according to correct academic principles and international standards. As a model treasure trove for museums across the nation, it will also feature a comprehensive database and artefact loan service.
AREA DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF FINE ARTS
Office building of the Fine Arts Department in Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok
The Department of Fine Arts has formulated a policy to develop an area under its supervision to be a historical tourist site because it features important buildings regarding the national arts and cultural history. It has renovated its present office building, which was once Thanon Na Phra Lan Palace, due to necessity while maintaining the original style of architecture and art. The area also includes Silpa Bhirasri Memorial National Museum and Hall of Sculpture, a learning resource about important national monuments. The main building of the department was registered as one of Thailand’s heritage sites in 1977.
DEVELOPMENT OF SI THEP HISTORICAL PARK TO BE LISTED AS A WORLD HERITAGE SITE
The Department of Fine Arts wants to elevate Si Thep Historical Park in Si Thep District, Phetchabun Province, to be a cultural world heritage site. Currently on UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage Site list, it is an ancient city of Dvaravati culture, surrounded by moats, and is considered one of the most intact ancient sites in Thailand. The Cabinet has already approved the plan to propose Si Thep Historical Park to be listed as a Cultural World Heritage Site at UNESCO’s General Conference in 2022.
RENOVATION OF THE PERMANENT EXHIBITION HALL INSIDE THE NATIONAL MUSEUM BANGKOK
Renovation of the 14 permanent exhibition halls in Bovorn Sathan Mongkol Palace, or the Front Palace (Wang Na), has been completed. The concept is to showcase real artefacts of each era which are considered humanity’s masterpieces on Thai soil. They are displayed with 360-degree perspective, with the help of lighting and modern technology, within the traditional architectural styles of the halls. Also updated are the exhibitions of Prapas Phipithaphan Building, Issaravinitchai Royal Hall, and Mahasurasinghanat Building.
RENOVATION OF TOURIST SERVICE CENTRE AT PHU PHRA BAT HISTORICAL PARK
The Department of Fine Arts has improved the Tourist Service Centre at Phu Phra Bat Historical Park in Ban Phue District, Udon Thani Province, to facilitate and elevate the services to international standards.
ESTABLISHMENT OF SDOK KOK THOM HISTORICAL PARK
In 2017, the Department of Fine Arts established the Sdok Kok Thom Historical Park and organised a permanent exhibition concerning the history, construction, and renovation of Sdok Kok Thom Castle as well as knowledge from the uncovered inscriptions. It also features artefacts, video, and models. Sdok Kok Thom Historical Park serves as a learning centre for history, archaeology, arts, and cultural heritage of the Eastern region.
RENOVATION OF BAN KAO NATIONAL MUSEUM
The Department of Fine Arts has elevated Ban Kao National Museum in Kanchanaburi Province to be the prehistoric archaeological museum of the Western region. The Ban Kao archaeological site is considered the starting point for the study of prehistoric archaeology with international methodology in Thailand that began in 1960. The renovated exhibition will showcase new information from archaeological excavations that continue to the present day, archaeological evidence and knowledge of the prehistoric Ban Kao community, and development of people along the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai Rivers from the Old Stone Age to the New Stone Age to the present. Using modern presentation technology, Ban Kao National Museum will serve as a comprehensive learning centre for prehistoric archaeology of the Western region.
RENOVATION OF CHAO SAM PHRAYA NATIONAL MUSEUM
Gold Artefact Building in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province
The Department of Fine Arts has elevated Chao Sam Phraya National Museum in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province with construction of the new Gold Artefact Building. The new edifice will feature gold artefacts discovered from repositories of temples in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, namely Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Mahathat, Wat Suwan Chedi, and Wat Phutthaisawan, as well as Buddha relics discovered in local temples and valuable items dedicated to temples by Buddhists. The budget for the 2021 fiscal year will be spent on the last phase of exhibition organisation within the new building, due to open soon.
ELEVATION OF NATIONAL MUSEUM NAKHON NAYOK
The Museum of Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam in Hin Tung Sub-district, Mueang District, Nakhon Nayok Province is now undergoing improvement, including landscape development, to become a national museum. According to the royal initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the permanent exhibition within the museum features background and history of the Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam, stories of local people, and information about the archaeology, history, and culture of Nakhon Nayok Province.
DIGITALISATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT
Wat Ratchaburana with augmented reality technology
As a government agency that compiles information on arts and culture, especially national history that reflects the development of Thailand in every aspect, the Department of Fine Arts has adopted the government’s policy of digital economy and information technology systems to increase efficiency in cultural management. The department has developed the resources to be interesting, modern, and easy to access by the public, including improving national archive public services, developing a digital library system, adopting augmented reality, virtual reality, and QR code technologies into learning centres (online search, virtual historical park, and virtual museum), developing museum visitation tracking system, developing online ticket purchase for the National Theatre, offering online books, and increasing online access to cultural resources on multiple platforms.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY, NATIONAL ARCHIVES, LITERATURE AND HISTORY
To preserve national heritage and secure equal and convenient access to information, the Department of Fine Arts has continuously improved the services of the National Library and National Archives, including publishing books, composing an academic database, providing knowledge for the public, and adopting information technology systems.
DEVELOPMENT OF TRADITIONAL DANCE AND MUSIC
The Office of Performing Arts under the Department of Fine Arts has continuously developed traditional dance and music performances, maintained national identity, and trained personnel. Moreover, the National Theatre is now offering online ticket purchase to increase access and convenience for the public.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ENHANCEMENT
The Underwater Archaeology Division under the Department of Fine Arts is undertaking exploration and inspection of sunken ship sites within the territory of Thailand as well as fostering cooperation and knowledge exchange over culture, archaeology, and artefacts in ASEAN.
The Department of Fine Arts has also renovated and improved other national museums, cultural learning centres, and historical parks, including: Phra Buddha Chinnarat National Museum in Phitsanulok Province; Khun Luang Pa Ngua and Suphan Buri Historical Sculpture Hall in Suphan Buri Province; Phra Pathom Chedi National Museum in Nakhon Pathom Province; Thalang National Museum in Phuket Province; the National Library, and; the National Archives. The contributions from many sectors have led to proper conservation of art and cultural heritage, cultural identity, and local way of life, available for each new generation to study with pride while being beneficial to the local and national economies.
The department also promotes collaboration with neighbouring countries and international communities to exchange experiences in national cultural heritage conservation, including researching wooden doors with Japanese pearl decoration in Thailand, reviving traditional Thai architectural craftsmanship with UNESCO, and organising special exhibitions with other countries.
The Department of Fine Arts is committed to its missions of conserving national arts and culture, and fulfilling services for the Royal Institution with the aid of the public sector, private sector, and general public. The department will continue to maintain its standards, develop national heritage through technology, increase the value of Thai arts and culture, and share useful knowledge for Thai people to pass on the nation’s heritage and preserve national values and identities which will lead to sustainable development of Thai society.