Museum on road to discovery

A new museum in central Bangkok with a Bt2-billion budget plans to open its doors by the end of next year.

"We will create a totally new experience for museum visitors, who will be able to take an active part in various exhibits to help the learning experience," Chai-anant Samudvanija from the National Discovery Museum Institute told a seminar yesterday.

He added that thanks to efficient multimedia systems, visitors would be able to witness artificial frogs and fish in realistic re-creations of nature.

Dubbed "The Discovery Museum", the site will span more than 3,000 square metres, occupying buildings that previously housed the Commerce Ministry on Sanam Chai Road. The museum will focus on Thai and other Southeast Asian history, ancient cultures, societies and ways of life.

"We'll focus on real life rather than artefacts alone," said Chai-anant, adding that the museum would also offer examples of local Thai knowledge.

He promised that the museum would offer in-depth information for visitors to use in undertaking further research independently. "You'll also be able to search for information on the exhibits on the Internet while at the museum."

Chai-anant said he planned to raise funds from both the government and the private sectors to construct the Discovery Museum. He also called on younger qualified people to apply for curator positions at the museum.
The Nation 17 August 2005 www.nationmultimedia.com