Chudadhuj Palace, Sichang Island: Conservation for community

Bundit, Chulasai (2005) Chudadhuj Palace, Sichang Island: Conservation for community. In: 15th ICOMOS General Assembly and International Symposium: ‘Monuments and sites in their setting - conserving cultural heritage in changing townscapes and landscapes’, 17 – 21 oct 2005, Xi'an, China. [Conference or Workshop Item]

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Abstract (in English)

In the late nineteenth century, modern medical science led to the Thai elite’s trend of seaside rehabilitation. The second largest isle in the Gulf of Thailand, Sichang Island was then transformed from a maritime entrepot to a sanatoria, and finally which in turn became Chudadhuj Rachasathan Palace, a palace by the sea for members of the royal family. Numerous villas were built on the island’s best beach, complete with bridges, leisurely walks, ponds, fountains, waterways, waterfalls, and other pleasant landscape elements. However, political conflicts during the age of colonial threats, followed by modern development in railway and highway transportation, led to the decline of Sichang Island and the desertion of the royal palace. During the Second World War, the palace ground was assigned as logistic supplies entrepot. It was also subsequently used as juvenile detention center, school, district office, etc. Accordingly, the palace became greatly deteriorated through time. In the 1980s, a research by the Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, led to the rediscovery of the palace compound. It also initiated a string of conservation activities: an architectural survey by architectural students, a masterplan for marine research center within the palace grounds, the budget repairs restoration of palace buildings, and the addition of conference and seminar center for a university. In addition, when the province of Chonburi began to develop its tourism industry, funds began to pour into the conservation of architecture and landscapes of Chudadhuj Rachasathan. Under the royal patronage of H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the conservation initiatives have been warmly received by the island residents, who directly benefit from tourism, which replaced fishing industry and stone mining that were environmentally destructive. The conservation of Chudadhuj Rachasathan has been designed in conjunction with community developments, so that a balance between conservation, development, tourism, and community will be sustained for the future.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Authors:
Authors
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Bundit, Chulasai
UNSPECIFIED
Languages: English
Keywords: historic monument; palace; conservation; conservation project
Subjects: E.CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION > 03. Monuments
H.HERITAGE TYPOLOGIES > 09. Historic buildings
Name of monument, town, site, museum: Chudadhuj Rachasathan Palace, Sichang Island, Thailand
ICOMOS Special Collection: Scientific Symposium (ICOMOS General Assemblies)
ICOMOS Special Collection Volume: 2005, 15th
Depositing User: Jose Garcia
Date Deposited: 20 Nov 2010 12:08
Last Modified: 13 Jan 2011 19:14
URI: https://openarchive.icomos.org/id/eprint/372

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