A disappearing heritage

The Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine is hemmed in on all sides. (Photo: Thana Boonlert) If it were not for a handful of visitors, the Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine would entirely disappear. Flanked by metal sheet fences, a narrow street leads to the residues of olden neighborhoods. An entryway is decorated with red lanterns. A exterior is painted with mythological figures. A roofing is decorated with tile dolls. The odor of burning incense wafts through the open gate. Inside, divinebeings are worshipped on an altar with a gilded frame. Ashen smoulder is thinning now that neighborhood homeowners haveactually gone, however a fourth-generation caretaker is standing her ground. “I appearance after the shrine as normal,” stated Penprapa Ployseesuay. She married the boy of the guardian household in1995 Since then, she has lived and worked here. A coupleof years ago, her partner passed away, however they are unwavering in their responsibilities. Chao Mae Thap Thim is the sea goddess that dates to over a century ago, when an forefather who lived in Saphan Lueang brought her wood statue from a canal in Bang Rak.Neighbours worshipped and developed her the veryfirst shrine. In 1957, Chulalongkorn University desired to recover a swathe of land that lies inbetween the National Stadium and Rama IV Road, however individuals declined to leave upuntil a fire broke out 3 years lateron. “But the shrine madeitthrough even as closeby homes were swallowedup in flames. After that, individuals raised funds and rebuilt it in Sam Yan [in 1970],” Penprapa stated. For some, the shrine is the history of the neighborhood. A censer that boasts the royal cypher of King Rama V stays in usage today. After his dad’s funeralservice in 1911, King Rama VI provided the guardian household the artefact. Sian Pae Rong Si, a merchant who endedupbeing fluent in routine and feng shui, connected a desired talisman to the wall. A calligrapher composed gorgeous poems and stores offered extra vehicle parts in the area. For others, it is a common area. “In those days, we closed extremely late at night. Visitors, most of them familiar dealswith, came not just for spiritual praise however for the call of nature and food. My mother-in-law is a great cook. She was sentout to work in a palace to pay off financialobligation,” Penprapa stated. So lotsof memories are kept in this location, that might be torn down. Chao Mae Thap Thim is captured in a tug-of-war inbetween preservation and advancement. After the Property Management of Chulalongkorn University (PMCU) revealed its strategy in 2007, neighborhood homeowners in Sam Yan have slowly moved out, however the shrine stayed, its lease ending in2015 Following an expulsion order in 2020, critics and trainees came to its defence. The PMCU is now taking legal action versus Penprapa. “A court judgment is due on Aug31 I will battle till the end,” she stated. The land on which the Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine stands is part of the mixed-use task entitled Block 33, which covers an location that lies inbetween Soi Chula 26-32. According to the PMCU’s site, it is a downtown domestic location with a health centre and medical center. It is surrounding to the school, a business district and the university’s green area. The PMCU hasactually constructed a brand-new shrine on the edge of Centenary Park. In its press release, it stated “relocation observes preservation concepts”. The brand-new website
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