Art in Paradise – Pattaya
When Pattaya is paradise, the above name is obvious for a museum. I had read about this museum and then my curiosity continued to gnaw, despite the fact that the entrance fee for European tourists is 500 Baht and for Asian 150.
This is not a museum for ancient art, but for paintings that, made in two dimensions, suggest that they are three-dimensional. So no heavy culture, but ingenuity and humour. Let's compare it to poetry. You have beautiful poems, which are all serious, and you have the light verse. The latter are full of spirit and humour. I just call Dr. P.
When we arrive and park the car, it already starts. This should cost 50 Baht. Both my driving companion and I think this is ridiculous so we look for a place elsewhere at no cost. With lead in my shoes I go to the cash register. That's where I take matters into my own hands. I kindly say, in Thai, that I want to pay the Thai price like my companion. I have lived here for over twenty years.
Although I do not have a Thai driver's license, I do have an ATM card from a Thai bank. And credit cards from the same bank. I show them all. Show your work permit, is the answer. I laugh and say that I am over seventy and do not work. Then you are a tourist says the girl. No, I say, tourists visit Thailand and then go back to their own homes. I live here and have no home in Europe. She is adamant. I come up with the following idea. My passport was even issued in Bangkok. I'll show her. Now another girl is actually calling a superior. I hear her tell me that there is a white foreigner without a driver's license, but with a Thai bank and a passport issued here. I win, because now the redeeming word sounds. I only have to pay 150 Baht. What a hassle to avoid a tourist-unfriendly affair.
Inside I must honestly say that it is extremely nice. Large halls with all kinds of jokes. Not only on the wall, but also on the floor. It is early Monday morning, but it is already quite busy. Only Asians.
Apparently this is a kind of entertainment that goes well here. Everyone is photographing each other. Best I can show you some pictures. I found a row of houses that move when you walk past them. Here the trick is just the opposite. It appears two-dimensional, but is actually three-dimensional.
There are various departments. Thai culture, the ancient world, the dinosaur era and also modern art. For 150 Baht, this museum is definitely fun, especially with Thais or with kids. It can be found near the dolphin fountain in North Pattaya. If you drive north on the Second Road, you will see it after soi 1 on the left in the first street on the right.
Video Art in Paradise
See a video impression here:
[youtube]http://youtu.be/u_kmU1OFdig[/youtube]
The museum will undoubtedly be worth a visit, what really bothers me is once again the disrespectful way in which non-Asians are severely discriminated against with this apartheid payment system.
People are now finally talking about the scams and piracy in Phuket and Pattaya, but when it comes to this insane policy, the government is still completely silent.
I find this really incomprehensible.
Moderator: Removed irrelevant text.
A nice and informative piece about “Art in Paradise”.
I think it's worth a visit there.
What strikes me is the explanation in Russian and not
in Thai and/or English.
Sincerely,
Lodewijk
It looks nice, but such a price difference is of course absurd and cannot be explained with “yes, Thais pay indirectly through taxes to the maintenance of the national park, Grand Palamce, …”. By the way, I assume that there is a “Thai” and “foreigner” price, so that other Asians can also be charged extra if the cashier notices that they are not Thai. An acquaintance of mine is half Indo, sometimes he gets away with pretending to be Thai, but sometimes they notice that he is not Thai but an "other" Asian and he is also treated as a foreigner (affected).
What am I supposed to think of the bad English? “Interractive art museum” and “Have your beautiful memories at here” are another fine example of Thinglish.
@ Legemaat: it must be an excerpt from a Russian TV program, not a Thai one. If you click through on YouTube you will also come across Thai video reports:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLqy7GmuKrE
How many Thais will recognize the diverse coastal styles, artists and historical figures? A nice way for school classes to learn about art, culture and history (especially art and creativity of course). But it will also be just sanook to take funny pictures. Who Salvador Dali is then matters less.
Dear Rob,
Thanks for the tip to click through on youtube!
Thanks.
Beautiful video images and in Thai: a relief!
Sincerely,
Lodewijk
The argument to explain price differences in entrance fees with “the thai pay tax” is nonsense.1 Many thai do not pay lb.2 Everyone who buys something pays tax through VAT.