The old museum, also known as Bangkokian Museum, had been threatened by the possible construction of an eight-storey building in a plot next to it which, if it went ahead, would have been considered a blight on the surrounding scenery.

But more alarming, it was feared the construction could have destabilised the museum’s foundation and threatened its survival.

The raising of the Bt10 million allowed the museum to add that to the Bt30,000 it already had and buy the land, which will be turned into a green space.

From early yesterday morning, the compact museum compound was filled with snack vendors and vendors selling arts and handcrafts from communities around Bangkok, while many visitors came to the museum to top up the fund for the beautification project.

Waraporn Suravadee, the former owner of the house and the chairwoman of the Insart-Sa-ang Foundation, revealed that Bt11.9 million had been raised.

“Bangkok Folk Museum is now the example of the successful fund raising for preserving cultural heritage,” she said. “The campaign could not be successful without the help from the media and the social network that spread the news of the campaign to the people. So it can be seen that the donations increased up to 10-fold since the story was widely published.”

She said people could still donate money as the funds would be used to transfer the adjacent block in the green space and to help with the ongoing maintenance of the museum.

“I will not give the land to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration again anymore. I already learned a big lesson. The land will belong to and be manage by the foundation,” she said.

Veera Chamsai, a kite maker from the Hua Takae community, sold kites at the museum yesterday, with the money raised going to the foundation.

“I am doing it because I want to be another part to help Waraporn keep her beloved museum and manage it to be in good stage,” Veera said.

“It is the task for all of us to protect this piece of Bangkok heritage.”

Yesterday’s event also included and auction of paintings and limited edition T-shirts to support the foundationl.

Anunta Intra-aksorn from BIG Trees disclosed that her organisation would help the museum restore the green space and take care of the trees within the museum compound.

“BIG Trees is working with the museum to transform the concrete ground to be a green space and will make the green link between the two areas of the museum,” Anunta said.