The architectural design for the new Bangkok Museum, widely dubbed as “Viman Phra In” (The Heavenly Castle of Indra), has been withdrawn after several critics suggested it may only be a thinly-veiled copy of the Crystal Island project in Moscow.

"We will abandon this design as the public is unhappy," Asst Prof Antika Sawadsri said at a press conference yesterday in her capacity as spokeswoman for the Chao Phraya for All project.

"It is possible that the design is similar to the one [in existence] because both of them were computer-aided, but we guarantee we did not copy anybody's work. In addition, this design is just an idea sent to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration [BMA] for consideration. If the society worries about this model, the design will not be built," said Antika.....Continue Reading

Top image: The building on the left is the museum proposed for the riverside...and the one on the right is the British architect's design. Photo: Friends of the River/Facebook

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