Resurrecting the Siam?

Are my eyes deceiving me, or is Bangkok Post writer Prapasri Vasuhirun just playing a dirty trick? In a September 11th article, Vasuhirun outlines measures that Chulalongkorn University will be taking to rebuild the parts of Siam Square that were set ablaze during violent clashes between protesters and government troops on May 19th. Regular readers of the SEA Movie Theater Project, along with other high-minded members of the human race, know that the ultimate tragedy of the burnings was the destruction of Apex's Siam Theater. Ensuing speculation was that the 1960's movie mecca would rest in peace for eternity rather than undergo a costly rehabilitation job. An even grimmer rumor had it that Siam Square in its entirety would be ripped down to make way for yet another shopping mall. But now I'm reading otherwise:

"Renovating the burned-out Siam Theatre and the surrounding area will cost more than 1 billion baht, says Group Captain Permyot Kosolbhand, the vice-president of Chulalongkorn University.

Investment costs for renovating the nearly seven rai of land at Siam Square will be paid by the university itself." Read more

If these claims come through I may have to take up a religion.

Stay tuned for further developments.

("CU to spend B1bn on Siam Square." 11 September 2010: The Bangkok Post online)