Museum of Nonthaburi: Province's History, Culture in Depth
Maneeya Dhammataree
A large compound located alongside the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi province was once home to city hall. Although Nonthaburi's city hall itself has since been relocated, the compound and its buildings are considered to be of great cultural value since a significant amount of artistic and cultural developments took place there following its establishment in 1910.
Tentative early years
The kingdom's justice ministry first called for the construction of a building to house a law school on land that had originally been allocated for the establishment of Bang Kwang Central Prison. Although the construction work was successfully completed, the authorities then changed tack and decided to use the building to host King's College. The college occupied the site from 1911 until 1925.
In 1928, it was decided to use the site to host Nonthaburi's city hall and it continued to serve this purpose through 1992, when the Interior College, under the ministry of the interior, took over. It retained this role through 2008.
The compound actually includes seven buildings in total, each of which connect to a spacious quadrangle at the center by means of a wooden passageway.
All the buildings feature European-style architecture, featuring brick as the main construction material. Nevertheless, there are a number of Thai features, too, including the use of gold teak, along with specific designs that are thought to be particularly useful when considering the country's tropical temperatures.
The building's wooden louvers, for example, were designed to protect it from sun damage. Brackets located along the eaves, which support the weight of the louvers, are decorated using traditional Thai design features.
The building features a trapezoid-shaped roof, while all the building's doors, windows and ventilation passages are crafted from wood. Even the stairs reflect a traditional Thai form of architectural styling when they were typically located at the rear of a building, protruding from a gallery area.
Official recognition
The site's significant architectural features, as well as its rich history, led the compound to be officially registered as a national historic site in 1981 under the Department of Fine Arts. In 2000, the Association of Siamese Architects bestowed upon the building the honor of 'Best Conservative Building'.
Since the closure of the ministry of the interior's Interior College in 2008, it was decided to put one of the main buildings to good use by using it to host the Museum of Nonthaburi, with the objective of raising awareness among the public about the province's unique characteristics.
The building's first floor plays host to a collection of exhibits concerning the history of the province and its residents, as well as explaining the history behind the municipal area's reputation as a 'city of orchards'.
Famous names and faces
The museum's 'Wall of Fame' presents several of the province's best known natives, including the late Phra Phrom Mangkhalachan (Panyanantha Bhikku [1911-2007]), who was a famous reformer of Buddhist rituals, and the late Montri Tramot (1900-1995), a national artist in the performing arts category (Thai classical music [1985]), who also received an artist's award from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in 1987.
Among several exhibits pertaining to the province's fine arts you'll see a small puppet created by Sakhon Yangkhiaosot (better known as Joe Louis [1922-2007]), another well known native of Nonthaburi who received the title national artist (for traditional small puppet theater) in 1996.
On the same floor, you'll also see examples of ancient mural paintings originating from temples located within the province, along with a nang yai ('shadow puppet figure') of the demon Ravana, created by Wira Mimuean, a well known craftsman from Nonthaburi.
Provincial symbolAn exquisitely designed Mo Num Lai Vichit ('an earthenware water container with a lid'), an example of which is located on the museum's second floor, is actually the official symbol of Nonthaburi province. You'll also see a jiam (a bowl used to store offerings presented to monks) and a noeng (a container used to store tributes).
In addition to the pottery, you'll also see various forms of tools that are used in its production, including a wooden shovel and a wheel used for turning the clay. The museum has also prepared a display of models of boats that were traditionally used in the pottery production process, such as an ong, which is a form of large boat used by vendors, featuring a roof covered in mats. Traditionally, Mon traders would row the boats and purchase bowls, jars and mortars from Nonthaburi before heading back to Pathum Thani province, where they would resell them.
The Museum of Nonthaburi opens from 9 am to 5 pm from Tuesday through Friday and from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The museum is closed on Mondays.
For further information, call Tel: +66 (0)2 589 0502, extension 174.
Transport connections:
Boat: Take a Chao Phraya Express boat from any pier located along the Chao Phraya River to Nonthaburi pier (N30). You'll soon spot the museum on arrival at Nonthaburi pier.
Credit: TAN Network (www.tannetwork.tv)
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