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Dancers, actors and artists struggle because they barely get enough support from people who are more willing to spend top dollar for branded handbags, jewellery and cars. As for government subsidy for arts in the wonderful of Land of Smiles, well, you can forget about it.

Our neighbouring countries are easily outclassing us where big international art events are concerned. The Java Jazz festival in Jakarta has already earned a name for itself on the global arena. In fact, Jakarta has already beaten Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore when it comes to bringing in well-known artistes and bands. As for our jazz scene, it looked very ordinary when the line-up for the recent festival in Hua Hin was announced.

As for our new contemporary art centre in the heart of Bangkok, it is sadly failing to bring any excitement to local residents or visiting art-lovers. Even though we have enough great artists in each category, they have yet to turn Bangkok into a hub of serious art, something, if we were given a chance, we could easily achieve.

Several small private galleries in Bangkok manage to regularly organise outstanding shows, while state-run ones are only able to put boring and shockingly amateur art on show.

Money, or the lack of it, is not really the issue in the Kingdom.

It is corruption that has left the Thai art scene underdeveloped and dead, starving the hundreds of hardcore art fans.

Recently I attended an outdoor event presented by the National Theatre, covering excerpts of different traditional dance forms.

Sadly, despite the stunning Nora dance from the South, the spectacular cockfighting from Central Thailand, Phra Lor and several instrumental pieces, there were barely 50 people sitting on the lawn. Such a lack of appreciation, even though there wasn't a single dull moment during the show!

So why can't our government do something about educating people and reviving our stupendously rich national heritage?

Despite being a rare viewer of dance shows, I went home feeling revived after this one. It was a brilliant evening, and I was struck dumb by performances that could easily be compared to a Broadway musical or an opera at Milan's La Scala.

When I attended Chinese opera performances in Hong Kong and Beijing, I was surprised to see the hall packed with young people who obviously appreciated their own culture. In comparison, our Thai audiences just seem to ignore our precious arts.

Even in an Islamic country like Indonesia, people flock to traditional dance and music shows.

So how does one protect culture in a metropolis that is filled with shopping centres and where people are willing to spend up to Bt120 for a mere cup of coffee?

I don't quite understand the lives people lead nowadays. I have just returned from Paris, where you can have a cup of coffee and a croissant for a mere ¤2 or Bt95.

Where is Thailand going wrong?

As for art in the City of Angels, we are currently holding the French La Fête and an Italian festival, where the two countries are presenting various forms of contemporary art.

Though the shows and exhibitions are expensive, Thais must realise that a little investment can open a wide window to other cultures.

This brings me to the question: is there any way that Thailand can put up full-scale festivals to showcase our very own traditional dance, music and visual arts? Sadly, the future looks rather bleak, because corruption and bureaucracy in our government agencies are obstacles that are far too large to allow this to happen.

Still, I continue hoping and praying that our national arts can be brought back to their full glory.

Hopefully we will learn to be proud of our Thainess, provided our leaders make the right moves and stop putting the taxpayer's money in their own pockets.