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In the past, the Department had published Highways, without which the photos would be
two commemorative volumes, on its 60th anniversary scattered and disappear. As a result, a budget
in 1972, and its 84th anniversary in 1996. Both for “The Department of Highways Photo Album,

were compilations of written articles, which are Volume 2,” was immediately granted.
quite complete in their contents. Accordingly, what This time, the editorial committee led by
was left to be created is an “illustrated book,” Mr Thongchai Likhitponsawan, has collected

a photographic album which would help tell the photographs from the National Archives of
story through pictorial forms. Thailand, the private library of the Original Press,
In 2020, with great opportune, Mr Sarawut from collectors, as well as from the Museum of

Songsiwilai, Director-General of the Department the Department of Highways. After copying
of Highways saw the merit and importance of the photographs with high-quality cameras, the
compiling photographs, in addition to the written collected images were selected and arranged

records in the already-published volumes. The geographically by regions of Thailand - National
album could also be used as souvenirs for visitors Highways of the Central, Northern, Northeastern,
from abroad as well. Southern, and Eastern regions. The finished
After some consultation, in an evening the volume is enlarged, at 240 pages, yet there are

Director-General immediately granted a budget to so many valuable photographs remaining to be
work on such photographic album, leading to the published for future study.
publication of “The Department of Highways Photo

Album, the Early Years,” on the 109th anniversary Anake Nawigamune
of the Department of Highways in 2021. At 208 April 17th, 2024
pages, the book compiles together so many
photographs on the Department of Highways’ work,

rarely seen by the public.
This year, Mr Sarawut Songsiwilai still
remembers well the project to collect old photographs

pertaining to the history of the Department of

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