By k on December 22, 2009

Sam Chuk, the 100 year old market community in the central province of Suphan Buri won the UNESCO Award of Merit for its successful transformation from a quaint old market to a lively tourism spot.

The market received the merit award granted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with the top award went to Sangiin Dalai Monastery in Mongolia. The stand out reputation of century old ancient buildings, tasty local culinary and friendly ‘Suphan’ accent made the obtaining of 2009 Award of Merit: Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation was not a coincidence.

Coffee odor covers you upon entering the market. Various Thai traditional sweets await for you to take samples. The most recommended dishes whether rice wrapped in lotus leaves, tasty roast duck or red pork noodle combined with an ancient ambience attracted a large crowd over weekends and public holidays.

Way back in the past, when it was the only transportation hub, Samchuk on the bank of Suphan River used to be the important trading port where caravans of hill tribe Karen, Laotian and Lava origins who live along the Burmese border traded their stuff found in the area such as cotton, ore, leather, honey with paddy, salt and other necessary goods. These products from the jungle would later be put on the raft down the river to be sold in Bangkok.

About 10 years ago, Sam Chuk hit its rock bottom where the new technologies turned the market into its state of decline. In the year 2000, choices were given to the locals whether to keep the old pattern or renovate the whole market into modern bloc buildings. Sham Chuk people made the collective decision by sticking to their roots, though the whole area was revitalized without abandoning its former pattern.

The market is a combination two-storey wooden houses with original interior decoration. Base floors are opened as restaurants, coffee shops, gift shops, beauty salon, photo studios and drug stores.

The market holds an attempt to promote tourism by preserving the old value and ancient way of life. Curious visitors arrive to find out how people live in the past, while children get to hear the flashbacks recount by their parents.

The more people visit, the more people come back. The Sam Chuk’s charm makes the market even more popular than in the past hundred years, thanks to the residents’ effort to open our eyes to the living piece of history.

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