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The European Union launches a unique mobile app on European Heritage in Thailand

Following the success of the European Heritage Map of Bangkok and Ayutthaya launched in 2013 by the European Union representative office in Thailand and the European Union National Institutes of Culture (EUNIC), Europe presented yesterday its second phase project with an application for android and i-phones highlighting 250 buildings and sites in 25 locations across Thailand. The application includes also a cultural calendar of events organized by EU member countries. 

BANGKOK – The ‘European Heritage Map and Cultural Calendar’ maps the common heritage that has resulted from centuries of Thai-European interactions, and presents an up-to-date overview of cultural events organised by EU Member states in Thailand. In this way, the map aims to promote awareness and appreciation of the long and rich history of Euro-Thai relations – as well as promote the vibrant cultural exchanges of the present.
 
The smart phone app represents the second phase in a project that started with the presentation, in September 2013, of a paper ‘European Heritage Map of Bangkok and Ayutthaya’, highlighting some 60 sites. 
 
More than 30,000 copies were distributed all over the country. Encouraged by the very enthusiastic reception of the map, we have decided to expand this digital version to cover the whole of Thailand. It includes more than 250 sites and offers rich illustrations and detailed information. “We are very happy to highlight the incredible diversity of architecture and heritage connected to the long history of European-Thai relations”, highlighted Mr Luis Barreira de Sousa, Ambassador of Portugal in Thailand who welcomed media in the beautiful premises of the Portuguese embassies in Bangkok. The Portuguese embassy is indeed the oldest embassy in Bangkok and the oldest embassy of Portugal around the world, highlighted the Ambassador of Portugal. 
 
The expansion of the European Heritage Map to the entire kingdom will also help highlighting to travellers new areas and destinations as some cities have so far received little support in terms of tourism development. They have suddenly a chance to get more exposure through the application. More cities could be included at various stages. “We are sure that both Thai and foreign travellers to Thailand will be keen to discover more of this unique heritage. Especially as this application is totally free”, said Mason Florence, CEO of Talisman Media, the company behing the project’s development. 
 
The digital format has also allowed to add a feature focusing on the cultural events that the EU Member States’ Embassies and Cultural Institutes organise in the Kingdom. This Cultural Calendar is updated regularly and lists detailed information, varying from movie screenings to dance performances, and from art exhibitions to lectures.
 
The ‘European Heritage Map and Cultural Calendar’ smart phone application is a project of the EUNIC Thailand cluster and the European Union diplomatic representations in Thailand. The project was implemented by Talisman Media and funded by the Delegation of the European Union and the EUNIC Cluster Fund; the Embassies of Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands; and Alliance francaise, Goethe Institut, Instituto Camoes and British Council.

 

Photo caption: Sakon Nakhon Ban Tha Rae french house
 
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Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.

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