2 replies to this topic

[JimLA]

I just finished reading a recent book about Thailand's political history and was interested to read an article in today's internet edition of the Nation. It's about the current government's plan to tear down the Thai Supreme Court Building in Bangkok and replace it with a more traditional Thai-style building.

Based on my reading of the book, it's looks like a classic example of the tug of war that's been going on between competing political forces in Thailand since 1932.

Here are some parts of the article which I think you might enjoy reading:

The Supreme Court Building has stood on Rattanakosin Island for several decades but not many people know the history behind its construction. The government's decision to demolish the building to make way for a new one means the destruction of not only architectural heritage but also the last symbol of the most important stages of Siamese jurisdiction, said Chatri Prakitnonthakarn, lecturer at Silpakorn University's Faculty of Architecture. . .

The Association of Siamese Architects this year placed the Ministry of Justice buildings on its list of historical buildings that should be preserved.But the present government recently approved Bt3.764 million for the construction of a new Supreme Court building, which will take four years to complete. . .

In 1938 the Thai government led by the People's Party (Kana Ratsadon), which had carried out the revolution six years earlier that abruptly ended 150 years of absolute monarchy under the Chakri Dynasty and led Siam into an era of the constitutional monarchy, managed after a struggle to finally regain the country's absolute jurisdiction.

The government ordered the construction of the Ministry of Justice buildings as part of the celebrations of the event, and as a symbol of the country's absolute jurisdiction. . ."

The government [led by the People's Party] used the simplicity of the modern architecture as a symbol of its political ideology - representing 'ordinary people' and 'equality' in a democratic system," said Chatri. The Supreme Court Building is one of historical symbols of the People's Party, he said.

Chatri wondered whether the plan to replace the current Supreme Court Building was another effort to remove symbols of the People's Party from Thailand's political history.

The plan was first proposed in 1986, when the building was only 23 years old, and the Cabinet at the time approved a budget of Bt2.2 billion. The idea was discussed again in 1992, soon after a coup d'etat. . .

The construction plan and the budget for the new building was approved in December 2006 as part of "The Cele-brations of the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary 5th December 2007". . .

Ironically, the approval of the construction of the new Supreme Court Building violates the Office of the Prime Minister's regulation on the conservation and development of Rattanakosin City and old towns. The entire Rattanakosin Island has been declared a "conservation area" that does not allow any new construction."

Subhatra Bhumiprabhas

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/15...al_30052416.php

[Snowy]

Ironically, the approval of the construction of the new Supreme Court Building violates the Office of the Prime Minister's regulation on the conservation and development of Rattanakosin City and old towns. The entire Rattanakosin Island has been declared a "conservation area" that does not allow any new construction."

Such a regulation is a minor detail and inconvenience to be ignored or easily disregarded by those in authority with a sufficient reason to overlook it.

In this case The construction plan and the budget for the new building as approved in December 2006 as part of "The Celebrations of the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary 5th December 2007" is a more than sufficient reason to circumvent the regulation. To invoke the regulation or protest against breaking it might well break the lese majeste laws! That would be deemed to be a lot more serious offence! TIT

[Gene]

The government [led by the People's Party] used the simplicity of the modern architecture as a symbol of its political ideology - representing 'ordinary people' and 'equality' in a democratic system.The Supreme Court Building is one of historical symbols of the People's Party."

Chatri wondered whether the plan to replace the current Supreme Court Building was another effort to remove symbols of the People's Party from Thailand's political history.

Having read that book too, it's remarkable to see how the more things seems to change, the more they stay the same. It reminds me of the Egyptians pharoahs who used to tear down the statues of former leaders they did not like.