Wilful destruction of SRT buildings

As the State Railway of Thailand moves to develop the double-track rail system, it has quite inadvertently put at risk a small but charming part of our heritage: a number of old but very picturesque railway stations, most of them lovingly tended to by the stationmaster and staff, will fall into disuse. Many of these gracious buildings are a hundred years old, and some might be even older as the SRT itself has been in operation for 120 years. But to facilitate the construction of the double-track system, they were earmarked for demolition under the terms of reference (ToR) for the contracts. However, the contracts have just been scrapped by the Prayut government and the SRT has been ordered to draw up new ones. Hopefully the rail agency this time will include the preservation of all 443 stations across the country as part of the agreement.

When considering the old ToR, it is apparent that the SRT has no concern for this part of the country’s heritage. In fact it simply turned a deaf ear to calls by conservationists who have been engaged in a campaign to save these old structures over the past two years.

This week, the conservationists cried foul over the projected loss of an old wooden one-storey building that is part of Khon Kaen railway station which is more than 80 years old. All wooden structures, including the main station and those in the SRT residential quarters, are to be dismantled this month as the SRT’s Khon Kaen office launches into its double track project. The original plan called for these structures to be replaced with two-storey concrete buildings, and the entire area, which is a green zone marked off by huge trees, will become a commercial complex in two years.

Parinya Chukaew of King Mongkut’s University of Technology Ladkrabang petitioned Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, asking him to intervene and save Khon Kaen railway station and more than 15 satellite stations on the Chira junction-Khon Kaen route. His efforts caught the attention of local scholars at Khon Kaen University who pledged to help safeguard the ageing buildings. But it remains unclear if the SRT, as the owner of the property, will allow them to do so. There has been no response from the prime minister, either.

The campaigners rightly complain that conservation laws in this country do not recognise the value of ageing buildings. Just a few are registered as archaeological sites and protected by the Fine Arts Department, mostly because they have been used by members of the Royal Family. These include Chitralada, Hua Hin and Bang Pa In stations.

The double-rail track development is costing hundreds of billions of baht while conservation of this heritage, as the campaigners point out, requires just one million baht per building.

But the rest, which also contribute to the nation’s heritage, remain vulnerable. And sooner, rather than later, some 200 of the total of 443 will be gone as the SRT claims it cannot afford to maintain them because of budget shortages. But as stated earlier, it is also clear the SRT has no policy regarding heritage conservation. There is considerable irony in its budget claims. The double-rail track development is costing hundreds of billions of baht while conservation of this heritage, as the campaigners point out, requires just one million baht per building.

The SRT should not fear that the conservation of these precious buildings will obstruct the double-track development plan as they are made of wood and can easily be moved elsewhere on SRT property, perhaps spruced up to serve as meeting rooms or offices for SRT provincial units — although it would be ideal for them to remain on their original sites and let architects create new designs that blend in with the old buildings.

Money is not the problem as there are civic groups that want to pitch in and help. In some areas these groups and local administrations are quite strong and are able to bargain with the SRT and get permission to do conservation work. Among the success stories are Ban Phuak station in Den Chai district, Phrae province, and the majestic structure in the northern province of Lampang. The SRT, therefore, needs to look to the big picture and make it a policy to retain a delightful part of Thailand’s heritage.

With the scrapping of the double-track contracts, the SRT has a chance to add the conservation of old buildings to the ToR, so that contractors will be required to preserve the old buildings. Conservationists say they understand the need for the double-track system to improve logistics and boost the economy. But this is clearly a case where development and conservation can go hand-in-hand.

Keeping the old railways stations will be good for tourism as many visitors are not only conservation-minded but interested in old architectural styles, and that can only mean more income for local communities.

No part of our heritage should be lost, and if the SRT finds that difficult to deal with, then the government should step in and force it to be amenable.