Thailand not ready for the lavish MoCA
One of the hidden gems of Bangkok is the private Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road.
Though it houses eye-catching pieces of work by Thai contemporary artists, it is relatively unknown and often deserted, thus defeating its purpose as a showcase of art. Sadly, despite decades of efforts to reform education, the majority of Thai youth still prefer shopping malls to state-of-the-art museums.
To appreciate art, one must engage with it to understand its deeper meaning. The MoCA does not yet provide such opportunity, and neither does it showcase a credible array of new-generation, serious and aspiring Thai artists.
As such, the many millions spent building this “personal collection” (which is what it essentially remains) would have been better utilised for sustainable projects to end poverty in the country. Roughly 30,000 children in urban centres around Thailand still live on or make their living from the streets.
MoCA might have something to offer well-off Bangkokians and tourists, but it is an anomaly in the context of the socio-economic condition of Thailand.
Natapanu Nopakun
