Vinyl Museum Tour – Don’t Miss It in the Ari Area.
For those who love music and vinyl records, you must not miss the Vinyl Museum, a museum located in the Department of Public Relations building. It is a museum that houses a collection of records from radio stations nationwide, all kept here in one place!
The Vinyl Museum was first introduced on May 3, 2022, by Pol. Lt. Gen. Sarasin Kaewkamnerd, the current Director-General of the Department of Public Relations, in commemoration of the 89th anniversary of the department. It is a part of the museum and archive of the Department of Public Relations, which is an exhibition space showcasing the history and development of the department, as well as displaying equipment related to the department’s missions throughout each era.
Before discussing the museum, let me provide some information about a type of audio recording. Different types of audio recordings require different care and maintenance. Before becoming the lightweight vinyl records we see today, the earliest records were made of a type of rubber obtained from insects, hence the name “shellac records.” These records were heavier and more brittle than vinyl records and required a special turntable with a heavier tonearm and needle. In contrast, vinyl records were made of lightweight plastic, making them easier to care for, but required a turntable with a smaller needle.
At the museum, there are audio recordings dating back to the 5th reign of the Thai monarchy, including religious songs, traditional Thai music, luk thung, and international pop songs from the 70s to the 90s. There are also recordings from legendary artists such as Queen, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and the Bee Gees, as well as famous Thai artists such as Jetrin Wattanasin, Carabao, and Charan. The oldest record in the museum is likely to be an Elvis Presley or Suntharaporn (around 1973) record, which visitors can play on a turntable.
The museum will provide 3-5 machines for visitors to use, but anyone who has an artist in their heart can search for music on the museum’s computers. For those who want to listen to popular or hit songs, the museum will separate them out for people to choose and listen to while strolling around. There are both familiar and unfamiliar albums for people to read through. For those who like to collect or study old albums, you can stay here all day!
The audio discs are mostly arranged by the type of music and by the artist’s name. If it is a foreign song, it will be arranged in alphabetical order by the artist or band’s name. But if someone comes to look for it and cannot find it, they can leave a note, and the staff will help them find it.
The museum’s staff is very welcoming and takes good care of visitors. They tell the history of the audio discs, recommend many albums, and provide a lot of new knowledge. They also teach how to place the needle on the audio disc. If visitors cannot find the song they want to listen to, the staff is happy to help. They are very lovely.
The person at the museum said that there are actually hundreds of thousands of sound records in the museum, but only 30,000 are currently displayed because the sorting process is not yet complete. Anyone who has visited before and wants to visit again may discover new songs that they have never heard before!
In addition, the museum also showcases the works and history of important figures in the music industry, such as Khru Eua Sunthornsanan, who founded the legendary Suntharaporn music band and created countless legendary songs. There is also a section that showcases microphones from different eras, which is very impressive. Visitors can also admire turntables and vinyl records from both Thai and international artists, including albums from the olden days. The atmosphere is enhanced by vinyl covers that are displayed all around the museum.
Overall, the Vinyl Museum is another must-visit place when you go to Ari. It is definitely worth the trip as it feels like you have stepped back in time to an era of diverse music worldwide.
The museum is located on the 2nd floor of the Public Relations Department and admission is free! It is open Monday to Friday from 10:00-16:30. If you want to use the service, you need to make a reservation in advance through the Public Relations Department Facebook page or by phone at 02 618 2323. The staff will arrange for everyone to have a comfortable listening experience (up to 3 machines at a time) and also provide a private tour for those who want to know more about vinyl.
I highly recommend everyone to take a stroll and listen to music in this warm and cozy atmosphere filled with the sounds of music. Ari not only has cafes, but also many interesting places to visit. I encourage everyone to go and experience it for themselves.
