Bangkok: MEA celebrates its 110th anniversary at the MEA SPARK historical building, opening the "Metropolitan Electricity Authority Conservation Center" to pass on the historical value of Thailand's electricity to the future.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Dichawat Chan-ee, Governor of MEA (Metropolitan Electricity Authority), presided over a merit-making ceremony to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the MEA SPARK building, the Thai Electricity Museum. He was joined by MEA executives and staff in paying respects at the monument of Field Marshal and Grand Chamberlain Chao Phraya Surasakmontri (Jerm Saeng-Chuto) and participating in a Buddhist ceremony for auspiciousness at the MEA SPARK, the Thai Electricity Museum.
The MEA SPARK building is a landmark that has been a part of Thailand's electricity development for a long time. It served as the headquarters of the Siam Electric Company Limited and was officially opened by His Majesty King Vajiravudh on September 1, 1916. This century-old building has since been preserved and developed into MEA SPARK, the Thai Electricity Museum, a learning center that tells the story of Thailand's electricity industry from the past, present, and future.
Mr. Phisanu Tantithavorn, Deputy Governor of MEA, stated in an interview that, over the past 110 years, this building has been an integral part of Thailand's electricity development. Therefore, conservation is not just about preserving the building itself, but also includes the artifacts, stories, and knowledge contained within. The opening of the MEA Conservation Center is thus another important step in safeguarding these values and passing them on as a learning resource to future generations.
On the same occasion, MEA opened the 'MEA Conservation Center,' MEA's first conservation center. The ceremony was presided over by Phra Tham Wachiranayok, Abbot of Wat Ratchaburana Ratchaworawihan, for auspiciousness. Partner organizations and networks in the fields of museums and conservation, including the Constitutional Court, the National Museum Bureau, the Fine Arts Department, Siriraj Medical School, the King Prajadhipok Museum, the King Prajadhipok Institute, the National Museum of Learning Institute, the Thai Bank Museum, Siam Commercial Bank, and the Institute of Asian Languages and Cultures, Mahidol University, also attended the ceremony.
This center is a dedicated conservation workspace, encompassing everything from inspecting the condition and analyzing the causes of deterioration to repairing and maintaining objects, as well as conducting research and compiling knowledge in conservation. It serves as the "behind-the-scenes space of MEA SPARK, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) Museum," ensuring the preservation of valuable artifacts for long-term study and display. Furthermore, it facilitates knowledge exchange and the creation of collaborative conservation networks, ultimately passing on historical value to future generations.