TCDC gets a new lease on life

Where else in Asia can you browse open library shelves, sip coffee while you listen to live jazz, take in an art exhibition or a fashion show, examine high-tech materials, and then plug in your laptop and surf the Internet?

One of the true wonders of modern Thailand is the Thailand Creativity and Design Center (TCDC). The interim government threatened to make drastic changes to this magnificent world-class library -- a facility that represented a positive legacy of the previous government. In two years it has become an national nexus for Thai designers, artists, academics, civil servants, teachers, and creative professionals. Its many exhibitions have functioned to showcased leading Thai and international designers and artists. Here is the happy announcement:

The board of OKMD declared that TCDC continues to be located at the same place, which is on the 6th floor of the Emporium Shopping Complex, 622 Sukhumvit 24, Klongton, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110. Meanwhile, TCDC is in the process of signing a new three-year lease on this place.

Unlike many other libraries I have visited in other parts of Asia -- including Singapore and Japan -- Thailand's TCDC is open to the public and foreign visitors. It is truly a world-class facility, without parallel anywhere in Asia. All Thai people -- whatever their politics -- should take pride in TCDC.