EXCERPTS FROM INTERVIEW WITH DR DISAPHOL CHANSIRI
Dr . Disaphol Chansiri doesn’t consider himself an architect, but he has a clear instinct for spaces, especially the old ones, the overlooked ones, the ones where you wished the walls could talk. Over the past decade, he’s quietly emerged as a cultural figure in helping preserve Thailand’s architectural and artistic heritage, both through collecting and restoration.
Dr. Chansiri divides his time between a long list of cultural commitments, one of them being his illustrious private art collection named after his initials “DC”, which comprises of contemporary works by both Thai and international artists. He also sits on multiple prestigious boards including the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, the Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C. But perhaps his most hands-on and personal work lies in restoring historic buildings across Thailand.
“I love history,” he says plainly. “And we have to accept that Thailand doesn’t have that many historic buildings. They always like to destroy them. So when I find something nice, if I can, I restore it.”
For Dr. Chansiri, restoration is less about making bold statements and more about preserving what’s left, a quiet, artful resistance against rapid development and modernization.
He describes the restoration process as one of constant learning.
“Each time, I love to read and understand the building’s history and who it belonged to,” he says. “Sometimes it’s connected to Thai-Chinese migration, or to a particular period in Bangkok’s urban development. If you approach it like reading a novel, it’s fun.”
The architecture isn’t the only historical aspect, it’s about memory and place. And in a city where real estate is often valued more than heritage, restoration can be complicated. “People want to use that land to build something else but if you could, you should use it to learn about not only your family but the history of Bangkok. It’s sad to see buildings that belong to someone and they don’t take care of it,”he says. “In Bangkok, there aren’t that many privately owned historic buildings left.”
Still, he remains optimistic. In recent years, Dr. Chansiri has noticed a growing interest among younger Thais in cultural preservation. “I’ve seen lots from your generation visit old parts of Bangkok and go to museums,” he says. “Maybe it’s trendy, whatever the reason, it’s good. Maybe people want to get back to their roots and learn about their history, which is great. That’s why we, as an older generation, need to provide and give [the younger generation] the opportunity to learn about what they would like to see.”
“I never say something is ugly, I just say it’s not my style. People’s objects and homes are beautiful in their own way, whether it’s my style or not. The more we grow up, the less we judge. We don’t use our opinions to judge others. Everything is beautiful to me.”
SEE FULL STORY IN ARTIFACT ISSUE N°1