Local officials are calling for people to support efforts to save a century-old Phuket Sino-Portuguese home possibly slated for demolition as part of plans to expand Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town.
Known as the “Boonphat Building,” the abode is in classic Sino-Portuguese mansion style and surrounded by mahogany trees planted during around 1917.
Last night, Deputy Director-General of the Fine Arts Department Kajorn Mukmeeka took to social media to deny that his department has knowledge of plans to demolish the Boonpat Building which, he noted, does sit inside the compound of the Vachira Phuket Hospital, reported Thai News Bureau.
“I want everyone 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.
“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 last week.
“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 said.
“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,” he added.
“Tomorrow, a Deputy Director of The Fine Arts Department will come to inspect this building himself,” Thawatchai said.
Story: The Phuket News
