SHINING A LIGHT ON HISTORY
A dazzling presentation in Lop Buri hopes to bring attention to an important historic area
By: Ploenpote Atthakor
Published: 24/05/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Brunch
With a light and sound presentation framing the way for a journey into the past, the display at King Narai's Kraisorn Siharaj Villa in Lop Buri province early last month was special in that it brought forgotten and significant historic events back into focus.
PAGES OF HISTORY: Photo of a wooden carving on display at the French Planetarium in Paris depicting the astrological phenomenon observed at the royal villa in Lop Buri on December 11, 1685, in the presence of two French priests. The photo appears in a book commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Society for the Conservation of Archeological sites, Artifacts and the Environment.
It was obviously not a typical presentation aimed merely at entertaining the audience.
Instead, the event held by the Society for the Conservation of Archeological sites, Artifacts and the Environment in Lop Buri to mark the society's 35th anniversary was designed to highlight the importance of the Kraisorn Siharaj Villa, or Phra Thinang Yen - a set of Western-style buildings that once served as King Narai's summer palace.
Phuthorn Bhumadhon, president of the society, which organised the light and sound presentation, said Kraisorn Siharaj Villa contains historical evidence demonstrating that the pursuit of astrology began in Siam more than 300 years ago during the reign of King Narai.
ROYAL ABODE: Kraisorn Siharaj, four kilometres from the city of Lop Buri, was the summer palace of King Narai the Great (1632 to 1688).
Located about four kilometres from the city of Lop Buri, the royal villa was the place where King Narai, together with French priests, observed a lunar eclipse on December 11, 1685.
Right after the astrological event, the king had Wat San Paolo built with an observatory for the French priests to continue their studies in astronomy. Completed in 1688, it was the first such tower in Southeast Asia, said Mr Phuthorn.
While King Narai's astrological observations are barely mentioned in Thai history textbooks, they were well documented by the French priests in their report to King Louise XIV.
Mr Phuthorn found the documents during a trip to France in 1994, as well as a wooden carving and watercolour paintings featuring the 1685 event and other astrological phenomena that occurred during the reign of King Narai. The artifacts are kept at the French Planetarium and the Science Academy in Paris. Mr Phuthorn had the documents and art works copied and brought the copies to Thailand.
PRESERVATION: Phuthorn Bhumadhon is calling for better care to be taken of the area that links Kraisorn Siharaj Villa and Tale Choopsorn Lake.
He said that the interest in modern astrology in Siam continued at least one year after King Narai passed away in 1688, after which it entirely disappeared for a time. It was King Mongkut who restored the science in the Rattanakosin era.
According to historical records, the monarch loved to spend most of his time in Lop Buri, particularly during the last 10 years of his reign. He normally stayed at the royal villa when he went hunting. After his death in 1688, his successor returned to Ayutthaya, leaving the royal residence and other structures to go to ruin.
Mr Phuthorn pointed out that Kraisorn Siharaj Villa was formerly in effect an islet surrounded by Tale Choopsorn lake, a large reservoir that once provided fresh water to the ancient city of Lop Buri. King Narai had dykes built around the lake, with pipes channelling the water to the city of Lop Buri through Pak Chan watergate.
ASTRONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The light and sound presentation, at Kraisorn Siharaj Villa features a recreation of the observation of a lunar eclipse by King Narai.
Unfortunately, most of the reservoir has dried up and it is now being encroached upon by locals, said Mr Phuthorn. What remains of the lake lies on military property.
Mr Phuthorn said the public knows little of the historical importance of the royal villa and the reservoir, which explains why the area has been so neglected.
His group held the light and sound show to trigger public interest in the region, a necessary first step in its conservation.
He conceded, however, that in setting up a conservation zone it's not possible to evict all the occupants from the Tale Choopsorn area. Instead, he suggested, the authorities should concentrate on ultra-sensitive areas, in particular the part that links the royal villa and the lake.
A scene from the light and sound presentation
"The number of required evictions is limited. Only about 10 families will be relocated," he said.
Mr Phuthorn raised the conservation model of Wat Puen in Muang Lop Buri.
"We must make them understand that it's against public interest to stay on in the area. If they know this, they will go. Just give them some time until they can find a new place," he said.
The restoration of Tale Choopsorn, too, can wait, said Mr Phuthorn.
"First of all, what is needed urgently is a campaign to make the public treasure these historic sites," he said.
Nareerat Preechapeechacupt, head of the 4th Fine Arts Office in Lop Buri, pointed out that tackling the encroachment at Tale Choopsorn is an uphill battle, and a lack of collaboration among state organisations has allowed this to expand. Some dwellers have even managed to acquire land title deeds. Nareerat said the Fine Arts Office may have to buy the land back from the occupants, but the office is unable to solve the problem alone. Instead, she said, all state agencies must join hands to ensure they are going in the same direction.
The Fine Arts Office is now concentrating on the Wat San Paolo restoration project. With donations from a private foundation, the office could purchase occupied land from dwellers, most of whom have left the land to pave the way for restoration work already.
"Excavation is under way. Some occupants still remain in the area, waiting for payment which should be made later this year," said Ms Nareerat. She said the Fine Arts Office may have to buy the land back from the occupants.
"We need a master plan. If we are determined that we want the land back, we will prepare for a budget and go ahead. Without the money, we can't negotiate."
http://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/travelscoop/17246/shining-a-light-on-history
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