Knowledge parks to bridge divisions in deep South

The SBPAC signed a memorandum of understanding with Narathiwat and Pattani municipal authorities and TK Park, with a budget of Bt200 million for the two parks.
Dr Sirikorn Maneerin, an adviser to the project committee, reveals that the architectural designs would be completed this month. Construction work is scheduled to begin in January and the two parks are set to open in September 2014.
Sirikorn explains that the project received a positive response at public hearings in both provinces. In addition, the committee organised a project focus group of 100 people in each province, where they also polled three groups of 400 people – below-12s, 12- to 25-year-olds, and above 25 years-plus.
Moreover, the committee invited local people to share ideas and gain information about the project via its Facebook page.
Finally, the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage (ASA) transformed the opinions and suggestions gathered into a “Social Design” to suit local residents’ needs.
The Social Design was thus the culmination of a process of public participation aimed at reflecting the experience of communities living amid mutual mistrust but striving for better understanding and integration with each other.
“The buildings’ interior and exterior designs aim to create a common space for all groups of people. The parks will have the power to stimulate learning, imagination and intellectual development”, says Sirikorn.
The Social Design criteria stipulate the parks must be highly visible landmarks located within the community and easily accessible. Also emphasised are easy and convenient access for all groups of people, along with safety. Importantly, they must be a common area for all cultures. Eco-friendly energy-conserving features are also a requirement.
In Narathiwat, the TK Park will be located in Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajnagarindra Park. The Pattani project will be built on vacant land on the city’s Pattani Pirom road. Each park will comprise an area of 4,000 to 5,000 square metres.
The design of Pattani TK Park is inspired by the kolae fishing boat, a symbol of the three southernmost provinces. The walls of its reading room will feature images reflecting Pattani identity, such as the Krue Se Mosque, kolae boat, wong duen crescent-shaped kite, and Phraya Tani cannon. The ceiling will be decorated with glass motifs that reflect the Thai-Buddhist, Malay-Muslim and Chinese culture of Pattani.
Meanwhile, Narathiwat TK Park will feature a reading room designed with images of golden leaves, and hornbills from Hala-Bala Forest. The furniture designs will also take their cue from kolae boats and golden leaves.
Sirikorn says that when the project is completed, the SBPAC will run both parks for the first year, then transfer responsibility for their operation to the municipalities, with a recommendation that they seek professionals to do so.
The two parks will offer visitors books, learning tools, music, IT technology and activities. TK Park will coordinate with local educational institutions to make available 400 to 500 book titles in Thai, English and Malay (Yawi) for primary school-age children.
The parks’ selection of books, magazines and music was made through focus groups of children, youths and adults.
Sirikorn adds that one of the project’s main goals is to encourage reading habits, knowledge enhancement and creative learning in local children and youths. The parks also aim to be potential “engines of innovation”, combining arts and culture, traditions, science and technology with an eye to mining local wisdom for new business opportunities.
Ultimately, the knowledge parks should become beacons of hope for their host provinces, transferring knowledge to their own communities and those in surrounding areas.