Bangkok Kukrit Museum to be closed down

**dirtydog** · 14-06-2007, 12:07 AM

End of an era for Kukrit Museum

The renowned Kukrit Mu-seum will be closed at the end of this month. The ancient wooden Thai house-turned-museum was once the residence of former prime minister MR Kukrit Pramoj.

Located in Soi Suan Phlu off South Sathorn Road, the closure stems from a conflict between MR Kukrit's son, Rongrit, and the 80th Kukrit Foundation running the museum, said a Culture Ministry source. Foundation president Amnuay Weerawan will reveal the reason for the closing at 2pm today at the museum.

The 5-rai compound house was once a khon (classical masked dance) mini-theatre initiated by Kukrit - a khon master and writer - who was named a National Artist in 1985.

The house displays Kukrit's personal belongings, including khon masks and rare pictures.

Kukrit bought the plot of land in 1941, when the area was full of phlu herb farms, which gave the soi its name. He then started extending his compound to five traditional wooden houses.

The first house he found was in Bangkok in 1942. He then bought two more in Ayutthaya in 1960 and had them rebuilt in traditional fashion - not a single nail was used. The former premier lived there for more than 30 years. Later, the final two houses were constructed after he died in 1995.

Besides its cultural value, the museum reflects Thai political history. Surrounded by skyscrapers in a busy commercial area, the museum is a popular tourist spot. To help with the museum's expenses - tickets are Bt50 - the foundation also rents out the back lawn for book launches and weddings.
The museum is among several of Bangkok's rare wooden Thai houses that have been converted into museums. Others include the Jim Thompson Mu-seum in Pathum Wan district and the Suan Pakkad Palace Museum in Phya Thai district.

The Nation

**Spin** · 14-06-2007, 01:07 AM

What will happen to the buildings, will they tear them down and build and concrete Louis Vitton outlet?

**kingwilly** · 14-06-2007, 01:46 PM

renowned?? never 'eard of it!

**dirtydog** · 14-06-2007, 01:52 PM

Museums are for cultured people, and you unfortunately are Australian

**kingwilly** · 14-06-2007, 02:55 PM

ooh, i misread it, thought it said bar or summint

**dirtydog** · 15-06-2007, 01:58 AM

Reprieve for historic museum

The renowned Kukrit Museum will re-open its doors, but MR Kukrit Pramoj's son, ML Rongrit, will take over management instead of The 80th Kukrit Foundation, which run it for seven years, the foundation said yesterday.

The foundation will move out of the museum, in Soi Suan Phlu off South Sathorn Road, on June 30. The house, in a 5-rai compound, was once a khon (classical masked dance) mini-theatre established by Kukrit - a khon master and writer - who was named a National Artist in 1985. A previous threat of closure came after a disagreement between the foundation and ML Rongrit.

"To celebrate the 100th anniversary of MR Kukrit Pramoj's birth in 2011, the Foundation planned to build a library for MR Kukrit's books and a conference hall behind the museum. The foundation, also established by MR Kukrit, had unofficial permission for the plan and wanted a long-term lease on a four-rai plot of land at the back of the museum to develop the project, which would cost millions of baht," said the foundation's president Amnuey Weerawan.

However, agreement on a long-term rental fee between the foundation and ML Rongrit - the landlord - could not be reached. Therefore the foundation decided to pull out.

But the foundation would continue its mission to promote MR Kukrit's legacy.

The house/museum has received about 30,000 visitors since it opened its doors to the public. Surrounded by skyscrapers in a busy commercial area, it is a popular tourist spot. To help with expenses, tickets were priced at Bt50 and the back lawn rented out for book launches and weddings.

"It was my father's intention to preserve the house as if he was still alive," said ML Rongrit. "I did not want to make any changes. Now I take care of over 50 street dogs in the big garden at the back of the museum where my dad grew trees. Where will the foundation move these dogs to? Like my dad, I really love them."

The house displays some of Kukrit's personal belongings including khon masks and rare pictures. He first bought the plot of land in 1941.

Phatarawadee Phataranawik
The Nation

**kingwilly** · 15-06-2007, 08:20 AM

phew, dats good news.

but DD since this thread has all of about 13 views as opposed to jarvis is outta here thread with abt 1000 views i think you'll find the TD membership are all about as kultured as us aussies!

**Marmite the Dog** · 16-06-2007, 12:31 AM

Originally Posted by ML Rongrit

Now I take care of over 50 street dogs in the big garden at the back of the museum where my dad grew trees. Where will the foundation move these dogs to?

Vietnam?

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