The 10 must-see cultural websites as revealed by the Ministry of Culture have actually raised eyebrows and drawn criticism.
Most especially, critics have actually set their sights on Hinoki Land, a traveler location in Chiang Mai influenced by– as the name highly recommends– Japanese architecture.
The Cultural Promo Department, under the Ministry of Culture, at first safeguarded its questionable option, thinking that the location is worthy of a put on the list due to its originality. The Japanese-style structure is constructed from aromatic Hinoki wood.
The staying, less questionable, websites like Doi Tung in Chiang Rai, the Ancient City in Samut Prakan, Jim Thompson’s farm in Nakhon Ratchasima, Prasat Sajatham or Sanctuary of Fact in Chon Buri, and Phuket Fantasea in Phuket are popular amongst both Thai and foreign travelers.
In its defence, the department described that the list was produced to increase the regional economy. It likewise information the six-point requirements utilized to shortlist these locations. For instance, one requirement states that each location should be academic and promote the imaginative economy which it foster cooperation in between the general public and personal neighborhoods. Lastly, it mentions that each location should be popular amongst Thais and immigrants.
The department declares that Hinoki Land satisfies these criteria as it is a location where travelers can find out about Japanese culture without needing to take a trip all the method to Japan. Due to its appeal, the website develops tasks and offers earnings to the regional neighborhoods situated close by.
I inspected the fan pages of the locations on this list, consisting of that of Hinoki Land, and thought the department desires individuals to value foreign cultures and practise ecological friendliness.
Taking a look at the requirements, how could Hinoki Land not be on the list? It’s a domestic website including Japanese-style structure– most likely influenced by Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Taisha. Visitors to the website have the chance to find out how to use a robe and taste green tea-flavoured ice cream– without needing to invest in air tickets and lodging. More notably, it provides ecologically mindful travelers a chance not to add to the carbon footprint related to foreign travel.
In addition to Hinoki Land, the list likewise includes Nongnooch Garden Pattaya where travelers can see the phony Stonehenge, acknowledged as one of the 7 marvels of the world. The website is likewise cluttered with huge statues in the kind of dinosaurs and pests along with a collection of uncommon, pricey vehicles.
Nevertheless, I am uncertain how the department picked Phuket’s Fantasea. Maybe it wishes to promote gender tolerance as the location is widely known for its drag queen programs and the cuteness of Thai elephants on phase.
While composing this, I have actually pertained to find out that the department is considering examining the list.
Thinking about how Japanese culture has actually gotten acknowledgment from the Ministry of Culture, I could not assist however inspect if any of the Thai locations have actually gotten honours from Japanese tourist firms. What I discovered rather was an award for the Tourist Authority of Thailand for being an exceptional organization partner. There were a number of other awards for regional organizations or neighborhoods consisting of rewards for business owners that promote regional neighborhoods or those that use deep-rooted culture in promoting tourist.
Anyhow, this made me, as a Thai, feel fortunate and happy. The Japanese individuals do not have the chance to find out about foreign cultures in their own nation.
Culture definitely has a function in tourist.
Those walking near Patpong would have experienced being introducing to have a view at the “ping pong program.” I keep in mind a coworker from Germany who went to Bangkok years earlier and after seeing among those efficiencies asked me with a straight face if the program which drew lots of travelers was likewise “Thai culture.”
Well, if we just thought about something that is popular and well-accepted in society as “culture”, not to point out that it creates rather an outstanding earnings for those associated with business, though not rather imaginative economy, the remarkable “ping pong” program balancings might discover their method to the list.
The program, like massage parlours, exists as part of tourist, despite the fact that the authorities pretend not to see it.
Honestly speaking, I do not believe that the Culture Ministry need to note cultural websites based upon their appeal or capacity for earnings generation. Otherwise, there will wind up simply being a list of popular home entertainment or leisure areas in Thailand. The department must make it a point not handle the function of tourist promo.
If the Cultural Promo Department is actually going to modify the list, I ‘d humbly recommend that it offer locations where genuine regional culture can be experienced even if the location is not popular or ignored. When one takes a trip throughout the nation, they will discover various distinct and culturally unforgettable locations that have actually not been noted on traveler manuals or the department’s listing of “cultural websites”.
Nevertheless, they are definitely certified to be thought about despite the fact that they are not lucrative devices.
Maybe the department should attempt to offer itself some orientation about what culture indicates?
Sirinya Wattanasukchai
Writer
Sirinya Wattanasukchai is a writer for the Bangkok Post.
