Bangkok--19 Feb--Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall
On February 19, 2010, by virtue of the Crown Property Bureau, a fount of novel form of education and knowledge, an interactive self learning center, as well as a venue where invaluable pieces of academic information on history, arts, and culture in regard to Siamese Rattanakosin era are compiled and maintained in the most extensive range ever found in the Kingdom of Thailand, has been established under the name “Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall”. Complementary to its primary academic function, this iconic landmark, standing tall on Ratchadamnoen Road, also strategically designated as another amazing tourist destination, is ready to serve both general public and foreign tourists commencing from March 9, 2010 onwards.
Dr. Chirayu Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, Director of The Crown Property Bureau, has revealed that, “The Crown Property Bureau’s policy is to renovate the building premises on Ratchadamneon Klang Road the expiry date of which is about to come true, and make fullest use of it, starting on Tower/Hall 1, located near Mahajesadabodintr Pavilion Court and Ratchanadda Temple. Beneath this strategic decision lies the fact that, in the good olden days this very tower (Tower 1) once served as a threshold of Rattanakosin metropolitan area, i.e. gateway to Krung Rattanakosin. And for this reason, Tower 1 has now been reassigned to serve as a provenance of princely dignity and prestige of Kingdom of Siam over the entire course of (earlier) Rattanakosin era, as well as venue for numerous pieces of the nation’s invaluable information, so as to ensure their valued existence last from one generation to another and on. In addition, this will also make a fine opportunity for people at large to admir e the national treasure while accurately and thoroughly educating themselves on relevant subjects in process. Hence, the name, Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall.
Renovation of this tower began in 2008 and saw to its completion two years later in February 2010, in which the entire, outer architecture nevertheless remains true to its own original design. Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall is officially scheduled for its inauguration on Sunday March 7, 2010, two days after which, i.e. on Tuesday March 9, 2010, this pillar of knowledge will be opened to public for its appreciation for Thailand’s national treasure and Siamese civilization belonging but to Rattanakosin era.
Mrs. Taya Teepsuwan, Deputy Governor of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration , has added that, “Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall” also serves as a reflection on our resolution to supporting Bangkok tourism as the City of Edutainment, bringing it up to another new level -- more clearly and more interestingly — not to mention an opportunity for Thai people in general to learn more about themselves through the original accounts and historical significance of Krung Rattnakosin, as well as deciding which direction in the future they will take, based on the concerted effort made in order to maintain continuously the Thai customs, culture and tradition.”.
Mr. Upatham Nisitsukchareon, Cheif Executive Officer, Rightman Company Limited, and Director of Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall, in charge of designing work, renovation and Rattankosin Exhibition Hall management, has said that, “This exhibition hall has been designed with the objectives to create Thai public awareness of greatness of our nation, Thailand’s national heritage produced by the generation that comes before and passed on to another in process, all of which is to be revolved around the Thai Monarchial Institute, the pride and joy of Kingdom of Siam as always. Here is also the place where historical accounts of Rattanakosin era are being realistically depicted via state-of-the-art multimedia spectacles. This year will also witness the entire exhibition showcasing in seven different exhibition rooms while next year, that is 2011, with the other two being added, nine several rooms are altogether to be open to public. Scholars and experts in their own disciplines are also to serve in consultancy, including Mr. Phaothong Thongchua, Prof. Mor. Ror. Vor. Nangnoi Sakdisri, Mr. Supachai Jansuwan, and Mr. Rattanavut Vatcharotai, in cooperation with Academic Committee; Air Vice Marshal Avut Ngernchooklin, Dr. Sirichan Fakchamroon, Mrs. Chaweerat Kasetsunthorn, Dr. Tassanai Wongpiseskul, Dr. Sirikorn Maneerin, Mr. Kriengkrai Sampacharit, Dr. Kannigah Sajjakul, Dr. Parichart Satapitanont, and Mr. Wattana Boonchab.
Project designer and manager of Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall is Rightman Co., Ltd., a company which specializes in exhibition designing with proven track records including decoration and builders work for TK Park (Bangkok), as well as for Dragon Generation Museum, in Supanburi ,province of Thailand etc. As for Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall’s logo, it showcases the aesthetic mixture between the Thai traditional art forms and the Thai traditional highly and uniquely elaborate square-pattern designs, with its sharp pinnacle a la Rattanakosin, embellished with nine different beautiful colors according to those of the Thai traditional “auspicious” precious gemstones, i.e. diamond, ruby, emerald, topaz, garnet, sapphire, moonstone, zircon, and chrysoberyl, each of which is intended to communicate the artistic value of each exhibition room, all producing a perfect blend of aesthetic and historical Rattanakosin era.
Mr. Upatham has also added that, “Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall is not a museum. In fact, this fine venue will go through change and motion all the time with a variety of presentations and selected activities in regard to Rattanakosin era, whether it be of the grandeur of the Royal Grand Palace, which is considered to be the prestige of Kingdom of Siam, as well as many other interesting accounts including major traditional ceremonies, architectures, palaces, temples and residences in different sub-eras, not to mention certain other tourist attractions surrounding Rattanakosin Island, as well as many invaluable traditional entertainment forms, all of whose spectacles can be realistically displayed thanks to state-of-the—art multimedia technologies including the real-life panoramic view enactments that allow spectators to feel as if passing through the olden days (200 years ago). These will be presented for the first time in Thailand. Interaction will also be a main focus throug h the so-called interactive self learning in each of the entire seven exhibition rooms. In brief, not only knowledge but also entertaining pleasure could be obtained here.”.
Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall is allocated into three storeys for exhibition purposes including the following:
1) Grandeur Rattanakosin Room: Bringing one back to the inaugural occasion of earlier Rattanakosin era, rejoicing over the pleasure of “four-dimensional” multimedia spectacles, namely audiovisuals, as well as scent and the touch.
2) Prestige of the Kingdom Room: For the first time in Thailand’s most flawless state-of-the-art Grand Palace replica in which one could also enjoy the Emerald Buddha images of all three seasons at the same time, not to mention a pleasurable stroll through the evening gate to the palace interior quarters for a perfectly closer look.
3) Remarkable Entertainment Room: Bringing one back “200 years ago” to the good olden days of Siam to obtain the panoramic view of Thai traditional entertainment spectacles including “Kohn” and the gestures of some characters in it, as well as an opportunity to try one’s hand on the Thai traditional puppets here.
4) Renowned Ceremonies Room: A place where three-dimensional spectacles and grandeur of royal ceremonies and royal waterway processions may well be appreciated is nowhere else but here.
5) Graceful Architectures: Here, Nitas Rattanakosin brings one to great pleasure of rejoicing over the Thai architectures including royal palaces, temples, residences, as well as horse riding, boat rowing through the garden, and cruising down the old town section in the true Thai way.
6) Impressive Communities: Rarities and great creations unique to Thailand may well be found courtesy of many a community residing around the Rattanakosin Island while enjoying the interactive modern technology here.
7) Sight-seeing Highlights: Bringing one to another level of brand new audiovisual experience practically as part of the animation ensembles while traveling across this great old city of Rattanakosin.
“In addition, there are Nitas Rattanakosin Library located on the mezzanine, food and drink eateries and restaurants, as well as shops on the lowest level floor where souvenirs and goods, etc. could be obtained, not to mention the observatory point where scenic views of Ratchadamneon Road and its surrounding architectures including the Gold Mountain, Lohaprasart, etc. could be enjoyed but in such a never-experienced-before beautiful angle, allowing one for some fine photography against the wonderful backdrops of Lohaprasart, making it one of the most beautiful sceneries in the City of Angel. A choice of evening tea service while at the same time enjoying the night views of Rattanakosin surely represents another un-missable,” added Mr. Upatham in the end.
Mr. Sermkhun Kunawong, Cheif Executive Officer, CM Organizer Public Company limited, in charge of Nitas Rattanakosin Special Events, has said that, “In addition to in-house exhibitions, there are some interesting activities available in Event Hall, as well as the area surrounding the Hall itself, that is, Mahajesadabodintr Pavilion Court and Ratchanadda Temple, where various activities are organized, reflecting the beauty and elegance of Rattanakosin arts, culture and entertainment in the olden days. These include seven different cultural events: Ratchanadda Lohaprasart, Thai Traditional Field Movie Screening, Following with Heart Full of Loyalty the Royal Footpath over the Period of 64 Years of the Reign of Love, The Royal Consort His Majesty the Queen’s Official Birthday August 12th, A Century of King Chulalongkorn the Great on the centennial occasion of HM King Chulalongkorn’s departure,
December 5th Maha Chakri Narubodintr — His Majesty King Bhumibhol’s Official Birthday.
All these major events are available in the Event Hall as in form of Installation Art Exhibition in which state-of-the-art multimedia spectacles are to be displayed. I believe that these seven events and other upcoming activities throughout the year 2010 performed with the heart full of a sense of preservation and creation for the beauty of Rattanakosin will be the most perfect one of the kind, thanks to the academic references of invaluable historical accounts during Rattanakosin era, the multimedia audiovisuals and spectacles, as well as grand entertainments and such. Our foreign guests who come to Thailand will be able to learn about the beauty of Thai culture. Our people, especially the youth, will be proud of the Thai way and being Thai.”.
Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall is located at 100 Ratchadamneon Klang Road, Bovornnives Sub-district, Phranakorn District ,Bangkok 10200. Telephone number: 02 621 0044. Facsimile number: 02 621 0043.
Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall is open daily except Mondays. From Tuesdays to Fridays 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. On weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) and national holidays 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Entrance is available to public at Thai Baht 200 per person for both Thai and foreign adult visitors, Thai Baht 50 each for children. No fees are charged to students (including pupils) “in uniform” or students with student card not “in uniform”, monks, and/or novices. Rattanakosin Library carries rare books and some invaluable publications, as well as an extensive range of Krung Rattanakosin knowledge and information. Interested persons may obtain annual membership at Thai Baht 100. Nonmembers are allowed for entrance at daily fee of Thai Baht 20. No fees are charged to students (including pupils) “in uniform” or students with student card not “in uniform”, monks, and/or novices. For more information, please visit www.nitasrattanakosin.com. Public transportation is available as follows: ( bus no.) 2, 3, 9, 15, 31, 33, 39, 42, 47, 59, 60, 64, 68, 70, 79, 82, 86, 157, 201, 503 and 509. (Private transportation is also convenient enough.) For those who are interested in learning more about the invaluable accounts of Rattanakosin era in which we, as well as our contemporaries, are residing, Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall, located on Ratchadamneon Klang Road, is more than delighted to welcome you all to this perfect place of knowledge and learning which also serves as brand new tourist attraction. Let us all Thai people be proud of such manmade marvel Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall: “Valuable of the Rattanakosin Era within a Touch of One Day”.