General Lertrat Ratanavanich (centre left) hands a donation over to National Museum director Daw Nu Mra Zan (centre right) during a ceremony in Yangon on November 9. Pic: Hein Latt Aung

THE Thai embassy donated US$16,000 to the National Museum in Yangon on November 9 to help fund repairs of damage to the museum caused by cyclone Nargis.

The donation ceremony took place at the museum in Dagon township and attracted more than 50 people, including Thailand’s ambassador to Myanmar, Mr Bansarn Bunnag; the president of Thai-Myanmar Association, General Lertrat Ratanavanich; embassy staff; and National Library staff.

Museum director Daw Nu Mra Zan said that most of the money will be used to repair storm damage to the fourth floor, where the “national races” exhibition is displayed.

“We have already fixed much of the storm damage but there are still many parts of the museum in need of repair. The donation from the Thai-Myanmar Association and well-wishers from Thailand is of great help to us,” she said.
At the ceremony, Mr Bansarn stressed the importance of renovating the museum for the sake of preserving Myanmar’s cultural heritage.

“Historic and cultural objects are treasures of the nation, and our aim is to help preserve them for future generations,” he said.

Gen Lertrat said he hoped the donation would be used to make the museum better than ever.

“The maintenance of national, historic and cultural objects is important for all nations because they are priceless and cannot be made again. The loss of items of cultural importance to Myanmar is something that concerns all of us, so we want to help where we can,” he said.