Under the San Palang Pracharat public-private collaboration, ministries and companies like Thai Beverage, SCG, CP, Central Group and Bangkok Bank are exploring projects to develop cities around Thailand.

 

 

Problem is, they don’t feature much actual development. Despite adding the odd old person paddling a canal boat and boosting the colors to levels not witnessed since The O.C. was on television, the new scenes are eerily the same as the old ones.

 

In short, the project looks to revamp Ayutthaya in the image of fellow UNESCO World Heritage city Kyoto. While the quiant Japanese city currently attracts more than 50 million visitors annually, Ayutthaya draws under 7 million. It is hoped that with improved infrastructure, restoration of over 30 temples, modernization of museums including Chantharakasem National Museum, and increased nature conservation, this figure can increase to 15-20 million by 2025.  

San Palang Pracharat also hopes to expand this model to other ancient cities like Sukhothai or Chiang Mai, but the proposal may takes years to become policy.  In the meantime, we're stuck with these unintentionally hilarious before-and-after shots.