Lampang gallery to be renovated
The Fine Arts Department plans to renovate the "leaning gallery" around Phra That Lampang Luang, after Culture Minister Khunying Khaisri Sri-aroon expressed concern that local people would see it as a bad omen if the centuries-old structure collapsed.
Located in the northern province of Lampang, the gallery was built around the same time the sacred pagoda was. Their history can be traced back about 500 years. "I am concerned about the gallery's distorted wall," Khaisri said yesterday, adding that she had already raised the matter with Fine Arts Department director general Arak Sanghitkul. Arak said the inspection confirmed the gallery's structure remained secure and there was no damage to its roof. "But a previous renovation did not bring the wall to the vertical position," he explained. Arak said a local fine-arts office had already been given a budget to renovate the gallery. With funds of more than Bt7 million, Arak said renovation work would also cover other buildings in the same religious compound.
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