Canal people demand Thai style for hotel
People in Amphawa, famous for its floating market and canal way of life, yesterday challenged plans for a controversial European-style hotel in the area.
They told the owner he must limit its planned foreign decorations and add more of a Thai-style flavour to the building, which is now under construction.
A public hearing also demanded that some 12 decades-old wooden houses owned by the hotel be restored according to the same original Thai style.
Chuchai Chairittilert, owner of the Chuchai Buri Sri Amphawa Hotel, said he agreed to follow the meeting’s resolutions. He would adjust the old buildings’ style, bringing their patterns and colours in line with local culture as well as decreasing the European decorations. He would not tear down the old houses but improve their conditions and keep their style.
The agreements came after a discussion between Chuchai and 300 people who represented local residents. For their consideration, he proposed six plans for adjusting the buildings, to bring their patterns and colours in line with local culture as well as decreasing foreign influence.
“I will do everything that local people here want so we can work together happily. I’m happy that Amphawa people have given me a warm welcome. My project will bring them incomes so they will live happily. An amount of the hotel’s revenue will be spent on conserving the culture and way of life here,” Chuchai said.
An academic who is helping restore the floating market said she found that other high buildings were being built along the canal. Chulalongkorn University will help local authorities create laws to regulate the construction, she said.
