Scrap metal dealer Narong Yusuksuwan opened YusuksuwanMuseumin Prachin Buri province in 2004 to house the antiques he had managed to collect after 30 years in the trade.
During the course of his work, Narong said he would often stumble upon hidden gems – antiques that others may not recognize as valuable.
Having seen some traders snap up his antique oil lamps, then resell them at a higher prices to domestic or foreign collectors, Narong decided to develop his own collection. He felt these kinds of items might eventually all flow out of the country due to strong demand, and that future generations may no longer get the opportunity to enjoy them.
His collection grew and grew until he had a huge number of 300- and 500-candlelight power lamps, which proved to be an attraction for many groups of people. Since his collection hadn’t been properly organized to cater for such visitors, he chose to establish his own museum to cater for them properly.
After 30 years, Narong’s collection of lamps has reached over 10,000, while he also has about 1,000 other antiques on display. There are plenty more items to be added once Narong can find the time to process them all.
A world of light Situated on a 17-rai (43.7-hectare) plot, the museum’s five buildings boast numerous rooms, featuring all kinds of lamp designs from China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, and Sweden. Among the lamps on display are examples produced by the brands Aida, Effa, and Petromax.
On the first floor of the Rachawadee Building, you’ll find numerous other household items, such as antique furniture, brassware, coal irons, pottery, radios, silverware, and tiffin (lunch) carriers, featuring exquisite patterns.
On the second floor, you’ll find lots of other kinds of lamps, including ship lamps, and those used in slide projectors.
In several corner displays, Narong has arranged items that help describe periods of history for the visiting public.
Some interesting-looking glasses and old furniture in the museum’s ‘Coffee Corner’ made this writer visualize an elderly store owner standing by a hot coffee pot as customers discussed the latest gossip. In another corner, an old hairdresser’s chair sits in an area set out like a beauty parlor.
The nearby
LeelawadeeBuildingactually has two distinct sectors, featuring six rooms.
The Tongphanchang Room displays old scales and other kinds of weighing apparatus. One is like a long stick with a brass weight at one end and a tray on the other. There are also several oddly-shaped containers, as well as a very interesting one shaped like a guitar.
The Tonglang Room is filled with Buddhist amulets, particularly those popular in the provinceof Prachin Buri. The Tongwaw Room will take some visitors back to their childhood since it features numerous antique toys, including tin cars and dolls.
Three other rooms – Ratchapruk, Chaiyapruk and Kalapapruk – feature brassware, old porcelain tableware and cutlery, bicycles, motorcycles, as well as fuel nozzles and related apparatus. While there is much to see here, this writer found the bikes and motorcycles of particular interest.
The Chuanchom Room features old photographs and pictures of Prachin Buri province, as well as of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej during his visit to the templeof Wat Kaew Phichit. This room also includes interesting old books, comics, and some of the earliest lottery tickets.
Located behind the main building, the FahPraditBuildinghouses a variety of old boats, including dugout canoes carved from a single tree.
You’ll also find a ruen mai puuk (rope-bound bamboo building) at YasuksuwanMuseum. It’s fascinating to see that not a single nail has been used in its construction. Inside the house are lots of everyday items from bygone days.
The final building – known as chao phayu (named after the lamp) - is shaped like a lamp, includes lots of glass and is painted grey. It’s about 13 meters tall so it affords a nice view of the area. These five buildings are set within a beautiful garden that
features sculptures of several characters from popular Thai novels. It is also home to birds, crocodiles, peacocks, and turtles.
If you ever get the chance to visit Prachin Buri province, which is located about 135 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, you should really pay YusuksawanMuseuma visit.
Located at 135 Prachintakam Road, Dongkeelek sub-district in Mueang district, the museum opens daily during 9 am-5 pm. Admission is 150 baht for adults, and 100 baht for children.
For further information, call Tel: +66 (0)37 465 300, or +66 (0)81 864 8218.
- Translated into English and republished with the kind permission of Manager Online.
Art & Culture
Art & Culture
During the course of his work, Narong said he would often stumble upon hidden gems – antiques that others may not recognize as valuable.
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