Preservation of Victorian Buildings at Hua Hin Historic Town, Thailand

Ref.: 12
Área temática: 01 Integridad física de los paisajes urbanos históricos
Fecha de recepción: 22/10/2008

AUTORES (* Autor principal)

Arrunnapaporn, Apinya Baggelaar * - Thammasat University (Tailandia)

EVALUACIÓN FINAL DEL COMITÉ CIENTÍFICO: Pendiente

ABSTRACT

Hua Hin has a long history that predates its current name. The turning point happened in 1911 after the Southern railroad had connected Siam to British Malaya. Since then, the spacious beaches of Hua Hin have enjoyed a solid reputation as "the famous seaside resort of Siam" as compatible to the French Riviera and English Brighton. Because of its royal past and present and its proximity to the capital, Hua Hin caught on with the elite of Bangkok and the town began to develop. There were three important buildings used as the centre for visitors of Hua Hin at that time; Railway Station, the Railway Hotel and Chatrchai Market.
Built in 1922, Hua Hin's Railway Station and the adjacent Royal Waiting Room are attractive and brightly painted wooden buildings that are Thai in concept and design, but somehow manage to have 'Victorian' characteristics. The buildings made out of teak wood, which need a regular maintenance and it is the State Railway of Thailand as a legislative owner who takes care of these two buildings.
The Railway Hotel opened in 1923. This massive wooden structure is one of a handful of grand Victorian colonial style hotels with vast rooms, private verandahs, lobby, fancy fretwork decoration and wickerwork chairs in the lounge. It is one of the rare Victorian buildings that have survived the ravages of time. Since 1986, the State Railway of Thailand has given a long leasing contract to the Hotel Accor Group who made a major renovation and operated as a leading hotel in the region until now. The new name was given as the Sofitel Hotel.
Chatrchai Market built in 1927 in a Victorian style to use as a fresh market for visitors to do their shopping from the locals. It includes with two floors, seven arched roofs, ironed work and glass decorations. It was a very lively place for the elites to have an out-going in the morning and evening during 30s-60s. It was also the place where the elites met the ordinaries. Unfortunately, the market did not survive the ravages of time in the sense of historical, social and cultural significance. It is still use as the market but more for locals. It is under the care of the Crown Property.
With the awareness that stereo type manners for heritage preservation does not exist, one place differs from another, this paper aims to canvas three different approaches in heritage preservation from very different interests and purposes of place's stakeholders. A means to preserve a cultural identity and sense of place under a rapid social and economical change. Also a study in the new functions that being introduced. The three notorious Victorian buildings are used as case studies.

BIBLIOGRAFÍA