BANGKOK, July 2015 – The Office of Contemporary Art And Culture (OCAC) is set to promote the Krabi and Ratchaburi provinces as Contemporary Art Cities, to establish a new tourist attraction with the hopes to draw more income to the local people.
The OCAC Director-General Chai Nakhonchai has revealed that the OCAC has chosen Krabi and Ratchaburi to be established as Contemporary Art Cities, according to the strategic plan to establish Contemporary Art City in Thailand in the 2016 fiscal year, in line with the government’s policy to create the new category of tourist destinations.
He has said that the OCAC will be using Kangawa Prefecture in Japan as the model city for the Contemporary Art City development, and will be inviting tourism officials from Kagawa to discuss development guidelines in developing the Contemporary Art City cooperation plan. Krabi and Ratchaburi were selected due to both provinces’ great potential in their strong local identities.
To achieve this plan, the OCAC will have to conduct an in depth analysis for each community’s potential areas that can be developed using art. The OCAC will also create a database of artists and local leaders who can contribute to the development and hold discussions with the provincial entrepreneurs, shop and restaurant owners, and all tourist attraction owners.
The plan will also involves the creation of artworks and statues at key locations with focus on more than just creating landmarks to attract tourists, but to provide support to the local public’s opportunity to study, appreciate, and to create their own artwork.
Community products will also require upgrades to enhance their uniqueness. A tourism route connecting the Contemporary Art Cities and their nearby cities would support the communities’ economy, while a cooperative government and private agencies network will also be created, the OCAC Director-General has said.
