Culture Minister Sukumol
Kunplome cuts the ribbon to officially open the new Miniature Thai Royal
Barge Performance Center.
Phasakorn Channgam
A new museum and theater hopes to draw tourists to
East Pattaya with its spotlight on the legacy of HM the King and his
celebrated royal barges.
The Miniature Thai Royal Barge Performance Center
next to the Tesco-Lotus Express store near Soi Siam Country Club marked
its grand opening Jan. 17, almost exactly three months after a fire
heavily damaged the tourist attraction three days before its planned
debut.
Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome, Mayor Itthiphol
Kunplome and Tourism Authority of Thailand Pattaya Director Athapol
Vannakit were on hand to congratulate museum director Jirames
Choksuritakeit on the center, which illustrates the history of the Royal
Family and offers an interactive review of the spectacularly decorated
barges in a “4-D” theater that combines 3-D video with moving chairs.
Jirames, who previously created the popular Mini Siam
tourist attraction, began planning the miniature barge exhibition 15
years ago. Historical content was developed in partnership with
Professor Viratham Trakul Ngeunthai, winner of Thailand’s “Outstanding
Citizen in Publishing” award in 2009. The educational material is
brought to life in the 4-D theater with its 360-degree screen.
“It is absolutely delightful that someone in Pattaya
built a cultural tourism center,” Sukumol said. “The Miniature Thai
Royal Barge Performance Center is the exhibit on the river and
illustrates Thailand’s elegant heritage, culture and traditions.”
The Miniature Thai Royal Barge Performance Center is
open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, see the
museum’s website at Miniature ThaiRoyalBarge.com.
