The Old Market in Sam Chuk district, Suphan Buri province, has been praised for its creativity in line with the Government’s creative economy policy. The praise was given by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who visited this living 100-year-old market on 11 December 2009 to receive an Award of Merit from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Dr. Molly Lee, Director of UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, presented the award in the form of a plaque to Prime Minister Abhisit, who represented residents of the Sam Chuk community. Apart from the Award of Merit in the 2009 annual UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards, Certificates of Recognition were also presented to project team members, including academics, scholars, students, and the Sam Chuk Community Committee.

UNESCO Bangkok recognizes the outstanding restoration of the Sam Chuk Old Market and community. The jury said, “Once in serious socio-economic decline, the Sam Chuk Community and Old Market District has been successfully revitalized through the far-sighted vision and cooperation of the local residents. The project will have a major impact in raising awareness about grassroots heritage conservation and is an important model for empowering other historic communities in Thailand.”

Prime Minister Abhisit said that Sam Chuk has set a good example of community empowerment and creativity. Like other communities, Sam Chuk faced an economic crisis 10 years ago and had to decide whether the old market would be demolished or not. With its community empowerment, Sam Chuk was successful in turning the crisis into an opportunity. He said that what the community offers has now become part of the creative economy. This means that the community has been making use of its historical and cultural capital. Local residents should take pride in their community, which is well-recognized by UNESCO.

The Prime Minister said that the Government would like to see more communities with historical and cultural significance be able to turn a crisis into an opportunity and to stand on their own feet in the midst of the tide of global changes. He said that local people should participate in developing and managing their own communities, while the Government would facilitate their operations.

Sam Chuk has become a major tourist attraction as an age-old market restored to life by the locals. According to UNESCO, Thailand has actively participated in the awards program through a series of outstanding conservation practices. In addition to Sam Chuk Community and Old Market District, six other projects from Thailand have obtained UNESCO Heritage Awards. They include Wat Pongsanuk in Lampang province; the Crown Property Bureau Building in Chachoengsao; Amphawa Canal Community in Samut Songkham; Tamnak Yai, Devavesm Palace in Bangkok; Phra Ratchawang Derm in Bangkok; and Wat Sratong Temple in Khon Kaen.

Sam Chuk community market is accessible through Highway 340, from Bangkok via Bang Bua Thong district in Nonthaburi to Suphan Buri. It is located on the riverside and adjacent to the Sam Chuk District Office. For more information, please contact the Sam Chuk Market Development Committee, tel. 0-3557-2449, 0-3550-4498, and 0-1640-3327.