Phuket culture officials fight to save classic Sino-Portuguese home

PHUKET: Local officials are calling for people to support the fight to save a century-old Phuket Sino-Portuguese home slated for demolition as part of the plans to expand Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town.

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By Chanida Summast

Friday 26 August 2016, 01:27PM

Phuket officials have launched a campaign to preserve the century-old classic Sino-Portuguese home from demolition. Photo: Watanyoo Thephuttee

Phuket officials have launched a campaign to preserve the century-old classic Sino-Portuguese home from demolition. Photo: Watanyoo Thephuttee

Phuket officials have launched a campaign to preserve the century-old classic Sino-Portuguese home from demolition. Photo: Watanyoo Thephuttee

Known as the “Boonphat Building”, the abode is in classic Sino-Portuguese mansion style and surrounded by mahogany trees planted during in the reign of Rama VI (Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramentharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua) in 1917.

“I want every one to join the campaign against the idea of demolishing this Sino-Portuguese building because the building is important to Phuket,” Atsawin Auttatum, President of the Culture Office in Phuket Town, posted on his office's Facebook page yesterday (Aug 25).

“I thank all of you who love our culture. We should care and be concerned about Phuket’s historic sites,” he said.

Thawatchai Thataisalsilp, Archaeologist at the Region 15 Office of the Fine Arts Department, based in Phuket, visited the area and inspected the building today.

“The building is almost 100 years old and in Sino-Portuguese style. It is located near the Baan Khun Phum Building and the Ranong Building,” he told The Phuket News.

“The building must be repaired and renovated, but any such work must first be approved by the Fine Arts Department,” he added.

“The hospital, as the owner, has the right to demolish the building, but in this case it involves a historical site, and as such demolishing the building would contravene the Act On Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects Of Art And National Museums (see here),” he added.

“Tomorrow, a Deputy Director of The Fine Arts Department will come to inspect this building himself,” Mr Thawatchai said.