Along the banks of Mae Nam Chanthaburi is 1km stretch of old wooden shophouses that are valiantly being promoted and preserved as a living history museum. It is an atmospheric stroll through time and place with a uniquely Thai twist: food features more prominently than facts and figures.Stop by the Learning House for an educational introduction to the community. The 2nd floor displays historic photographs of daily life as well as architectural drawings of the homes' beautifully carved ventilation panels. Much of the community's immigrant past is revealed in these unique panels: there are carvings of Chinese characters and even French fleurs-de-lis.Farmers and merchants first settled on the fertile river banks some 300 years ago, establishing the area as an agricultural trading post. Chinese traders and economic migrants sought refuge here, thus diversifying the local population. Vietnamese Catholics fled from religious persecution in their home country. And before long the different groups had intermarried until everyone claimed a little bit of each.Today, the older generation remains in the rickety old houses but through Khun Pratapan's efforts, many domestic tourists are coming for weekend outings to eat Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese specialities and listen to all the old stories.
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