The plans for a contemporary art museum in Bangkok were initiated by Bangkok governor Bhichit Rattakul. Construction started in 2000, but was later halted due to funding problems, the opposition of the next governor, a reactionary politician named Samak Sundaravej, and alleged corruption. In 2005, the project was restarted and was completed after three years of construction. Located in the heart of downtown Bangkok, the centre has an interior with nine floors arranged around a circular atrium. Originally named Bangkok Metropolitan Museum of Contemporary Art (BMOCA), it was renamed Bangkok Art and Culture Centre before opening.