The Teak Museum

The Teak museum or the Museum of Forest, the 1st Training Center (Phrae) is located at the 1st Training Center (Phrae) under the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The museum consists of three building made from teak situated in the area of 6 Rais which were the estate of the East Asiatic Company from Denmark. The company was under a teak concession granted to operate in the area along the Yom River in the reign of King Rama V. These buildings were used as the office building and the residence for executives and officers of the company. After the concession ended, the government found the school of forestry in 2478 B.E., and in 2541, it was reestablished it as the Teak Museum which gathered and exhibited the pictures of history of making wood, and equipment used in the past, as well as examples of various kinds of wood. Moreover, the Vichitamara Buddha image and the beheaded Buddha image were placed here. The first building was used as the office building and the residence of officers of the East Asiatic Company. When it was the School of Forestry, the building was used as student club. It was the two-storey building and at the first floor was the cement safe for keeping company’s possessions. It was renovated by Phrae Town Municipality in 2545 B.E. Furthermore, the Training Center also collected the name plate of the school and that of ancient places which were made from wood and wood slab. For the second floor was the exhibition of the school’s history. Besides, the rooms in both floors, there was an attic which was a broad hall. The second building: It is the teal museum which is the two-storey building. It was used as the office building of the East Asiatic Company. When it was the School of Forestry, the building was used as the classroom and teacher room. Later, it was used as the office building and the assembly hall of the school. In 2541 B.E., the first floor was used as the museum which nowadays exhibits the history of making teak of Phrae and wooden products. Moreover, the first floor is used as the 3rd Office of Prevention (North region) The third museum is the two-storey building which is located at the Old Wall of ancient Phrae Province. It is used as the residence of the officers of the East Asiatic Company. When it was the School of Forestry, it was used as the residence of the principal. Nowadays, it is the museum which the first floor is the hall having fireplace inside. It exhibits the picture of ancient history of the East Asiatic Company.