Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday said the Fine Arts Department would be behind the restoration of the Victory Monument, which is to be funded by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

As for plans to turn the monument into a museum, Samak said this needed further discussion and there might be a need for sponsors.

The idea of restoring the monument emerged after several cracks were discovered during a recent inspection.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said yesterday that the BMA would check if the monument came under its jurisdiction or if it was the responsibility of the Fine Arts Department.

The Victory Monument was unvieled on June 24, 1942.