Things To Do - Page 2

Thailand has talents as proven by numerous occasions when young Thai designers have been recognised on the local and global stages.

For over a decade, the government has been very supportive with various institutions and initiatives aimed at fostering local talents.

Government’s support for Thai designers

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has been very supportive of Thai design, old and new. They did this especially through ongoing exhibitions and workshops at its travel trade fairs and international road shows as well as familiarisation trips.

Among the best examples was at a Thailand Travel Mart in Chiang Mai. This is where superbly designed and elegantly crafted products and contemporary arts and crafts were a major hit among buyers.

Other government agencies; such as, the Ministry of Commerce recognises the creativity of Thai designers through its annual Design Excellence Award.

Another government initiative is the OTOP label (OTOP represents the One Tambon (District) One Product project) created 20 years ago. It has been helping to identify and promote iconic products synonymous with each of the 77 provinces.

Many OTOP products have earned global recognition and are sought after by both foreign dealers and visiting tourists.

“Thai design is in many aspects very different from the way other countries; such as, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan develop their design industry. During the Asian financial crisis 20 years ago, the finance and banking sector saw the needs to convert back to the basics by looking at the way of life. So Thai design is born from emotion, from craft made with heart rather than for mass production. This is what people see today when they think about Thai design,” said Eggarat Wongcharit, a designer and long-term curator of the Thailand Pavilion at the Milan Design Week, the largest event about design in the world.

Thai designers and artists

Thailand designer’s scene is today very lively covering various fields including fashion, home design, jewels, architecture and visual arts. Fashion brands; such as, Greyhound, Kloset, Gin & Milk, Pomelo, Senada or Tube Gallery.

In Thailand, designers and artists are found up and down the country. However, there are two major centres for talents. 

Bangkok is the most important ‘talent fabric’. The capital offers the most opportunities with its universities, the presence of national and international corporations, and the possibility to get a job.

Meanwhile, Chiang Mai is regarded as a centre for young designers. It is backed by a centuries-long tradition of arts and crafts that has been adapted to the taste of modern consumers.

Chiang Mai, home of traditional and contemporary Thai design

Many experts in design will say that most of Bangkok creativit came from talents’ hatching in Chiang Mai or Northern Thailand in general.

Beyond the Night Bazaar, visitors to Chiang Mai will find designer shops settled in 100-year teak houses along Charoen Rat Road. It is an old street running parallel to the Ping River.

The Nimmanhaemin Road Night Market is also turning these days into a new hot spot for hipsters and design fans to admire the latest ideas of local craftsmen.

There are design shops everywhere in Chiang Mai with many brands now leading in their field. 

Angsa Jewellery is one of Chiang Mai finest makers of filigree jewellery. It is the second generation of designers who perpetuate a tradition adding a contemporary touch with delicate jewels all made in pure gold and silver.

The Craft de Quarr shop boasts exquisite contemporary crafts from hill tribes, while Krit Boutique has a fashion line inspired by Lanna traditions.

Every year in December, the Chiang Mai Design Week celebrates its local design scene.

Designers, craftspeople and creative entrepreneurs showcase their new projects and innovations in design to cater to the needs of modern living.

Emerging Isan design

An emerging area for Thai design is in the Northeast (Isan). It is a place where local wisdom translates into the use of agricultural products; such as, bamboo or rice shoots to create elegant objects.

Silk or cotton weaving has also been part of the local culture and way of life in this region of Thailand for centuries.

At the forefront is the T-Style or Thai style under the concept of ‘Isan object’. Thailand Office of Innovation and Value Creation, Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce spearheaded this project.

Under the project, three renowned Thai designers have travelled across Isan. There, they meet the locals and help them translate local wisdom into lifestyle products as well as fashion items and ornaments for the international market.

They are M.L. Pawinee (Sukhaswasdi) Santisiri, Pichitra Boonyarataphan and Pirada Senivongse Na Ayudhya of the brands Ayodhya, Atelier Pichita and Trimode, respectively.

Many of these ‘Isan objects’ are available in Bangkok’s premium department stores.

Bangkok, the capital of Thai talent

Thailand’s capital is indeed where visitors will find the largest choice of design objects coming from all over the country.

Some of Bangkok’s malls generally dedicate a large section to Thai crafts, design and fashion.

Every year in December, the Chiang Mai Design Week celebrates its local design scene.

Designers, craftspeople and creative entrepreneurs showcase their new projects and innovations in design to cater to the needs of modern living.

Top of the list is Siam Centre and Siam Discovery. Siam Centre was renovated a couple of years ago with a focus on design.

All the shops are bearing a specific funky trendy style with the second and third floor concentrating most on local designers.

In Siam Discovery, ODS (Objects of Desire) boasts the best of Thai design spread across the fourth floor.

The fifth floor also offers a wide range of design objects linked to organic production. ODS recently opened an outlet at the brand new ICONSIAM shopping complex.

Also dedicated to Thai designers, THAITHAI @ZEN at CentralWorld features Thai fashion on the second floor of the Zen Department Store.

Alternatively, and a cheaper option, is Terminal 21mall at the BTS Asok station. There it has a wide choice of products by young Thai designers, ranging from funky T-shirts to innovative design objects. It is definitely difficult to resist!

The opening of four new MRT stations in Bangkok’s Old City or Rattanakosin neighbourhood and Chinatown, as part of a longer extension to the city’s subway, has made exploration of the area and its various attractions all the more easier.

The four MRT stations are part of a 14-km extension to the MRT Blue Line, which involves 11 new stations in all.

These are the Wat Mangkon, Sam Yot, Sanam Chai and Itsaraphap MRT Stations.

Additionally, they run in this order after the Hua Lamphong MRT Station from where the extension starts.

The Hua Lamphong MRT Station is connected to the Hua Lamphong Railway Station. This is Bangkok’s main station from where trains run throughout the country.

The area of Bangkok covered by the four new MRT stations is home to many of the city’s most spectacular attractions. These include the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha).

As such, the design and decoration of the stations both celebrates and honours this. Even their above ground architecture aims to help the buildings blend in and look a part of the community.

Between them, the four new MRT stations provide an easy and convenient way to go from attraction to attraction. Tourists can doing away with the need to tackle traffic conditions and having to travel by taxi, tuk-tuk or motorbike taxi.

All in all, it makes for a more enjoyable time spent visiting of the Old City and Chinatown.

Here are the four new MRT stations in Bangkok and interesting places to visit near them:

1.Wat Mangkon MRT Station

While the Hua Lamphong MRT Station is a short walk from Bangkok’s Chinatown, the Wat Mangkon MRT Station on Charoen Krung Road is in the heart of Chinatown.

Hence, this makes it perfect for tourists wanting to experience the pulsating beat and dazzling neon lights of this famous neighbourhood.

The station is named after Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (meaning ‘Dragon Lotus Temple’) the city’s largest Chinese Buddhist temple.

Moreover, it features a striking and very elegant décor of red and gold and a dragon-inspired staircase.

Wat Mangkon Kamalawat is within a comfortable walk of the Wat Mangkon MRT Station.

Also known as Wat Leng Nui Yee, the temple is a centre of festivities during important festivals like Chinese New Year and the Vegetarian Festival.

Needless to say anytime is good to visit. The temple’s low rambling structure features dragons playing with a pearl on the roof. Go inside and there are various Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian shrines within.

All the while, the smoke from countless incense sticks fills the air and adds to the overall atmosphere.

Also within a walk of the Wat Mangkon MRT Station is Sampheng Lane, a cluttered, hectic and fun Chinatown market.

Packed along the narrow lane (seriously, it’s about as wide as your outstretched arms) is shop after shop selling all manner of items from jewellery, shoes and watches to toys, fabric and a myriad of exotic foods.

If you’re looking for heaps of people and heaps of goods ranging from the Oriental to the everyday, then Sampheng Lane won’t disappoint you.

More tourist attractions sites in Bangkok’s Chinatown

Yaowarat Road – Chinatown’s high street – is a foodies’ dream, attracting locals from across the city and tourists alike to the scintillating array of street-side food including dim sum, noodles, omelettes and much more that’s on offer during the evening.

Also worth visiting in Chinatown is Wat Traimit, which is actually just a few minutes’ walk from the Hua Lamphong MRT Station.

This temple houses a massive gold seated Buddha, and it is a regular pilgrimage for Buddhists as well as curious tourists. Within a stone’s throw of Wat Traimit is the Chinatown Gate, which marks the entrance to this end of Chinatown.

It was built in 1999 to commemorate the late King Rama IX’s 72nd birthday.

2.Sam Yot MRT Station

Sam Yot MRT station is decorated with a museum-type feel. It includes displays of old photographs and drawings that point to the Station’s historical surroundings.

Additionally, the Station building itself is designed to reflect the local street architecture.

This station is situated on the Western outskirts of Chinatown and Sampheng Lane; for example, can be reached within a comfortable walk. Rommaninat Park is a few minutes’ walk from the Station to the north. Meanwhile, a short stroll beyond the park is Wat Suthat and the towering red Giant Swing at its entrance.

Wat Suthat is among Bangkok’s oldest and most impressive temples. It was commissioned by King Rama I the Great and completed around the mid-19th century during King Rama III’s reign.

The temple features an elegant chapel, magnificent wall murals, and exquisite hand-carved teakwood door panels. The Giant Swing stands over 21 metres tall and is a prominent landmark of the area. The original swing dating from 1784 was replaced in 2004 with a new one crafted from golden teak.

3.Sanam Chai MRT Station

The beautiful, elegant decoration of the Sanam Chai MRT Station with its maroon red and gold colours and stately pillars effect pays tribute to the royal heritage nearby.

The Station is around 1 km from the spectacular Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), with Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) located along the way.

Right on the Station’s doorstep is Museum Siam, which is dedicated to ‘Thainess’ and the history of the Thai people, their culture and traditions.

Far from your average run-of-the-mill museum, this place is full of surprising and thought-provoking displays and exhibits.

Bangkok’s most famous landmark, the Grand Palace is the spiritual heart of the Thai kingdom. For 150 years, this was the home of the Thai King, the Royal Court and the administrative seat of government.

Today, it stands resplendent and awe-inspiring, and its beautiful architecture a sight to behold. No trip to Bangkok is complete without a visit here.

More tourist attraction sites near Sanam Chai MRT Station

Situated on the grounds of the Grand Palace is Wat Phra Kaeo. It is another must-see for tourists and for Thais the kingdom’s most sacred Buddhist temple.

Enshrined within is the highly revered Emerald Buddha statue named Phra Kaeo Morakot or Phra Buddha Maha Mani Rattana Patimakon. It is carved from a single jade block.

Other highlights include a model of Angkor Wat, murals telling the Ramayana epic, and the five-metre tall Yaksa Tavarnbal or Gatekeeping Giants.

Half a kilometre or so from the Sanam Chai MRT Station is Wat Pho. It is another of Bangkok’s best-known temples and also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha for the 46-metre long, gold leaf-covered reclining Buddha that it houses.

Named Phra Buddha Sai Yat, this is the 3rdlargest reclining Buddha in Thailand.

Meanwhile, Wat Pho was Thailand’s first public university and is today known as a centre of traditional massage and medicine. Plus, it is widely considered to be the country’s leading school of massage.

Must-sees are the four chapels containing 394 gilded Buddha images, the intricate murals covering the walkways and the Epigraphic Archives of Wat Pho. These were inscribed in 2011 in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.

A short walk from the Sanam Chai MRT Station in the other direction is Pak Khlong Talat flower market. It is the city’s biggest wholesale and retail fresh flower market.

While it’s open 24 hours, the best time to see the market is after midnight. This is when it’s at its most lively, and in the pre-dawn hours when truckloads of fresh flowers come in from around the country. Plus, it is when traders and retailers come to buy their stock.

4.Itsaraphap MRT Station

Itsaraphap MRT station is on the Thon Buri side of the Chao Phraya River.

Its decoration features a swan theme, paying tribute to nearby Wat Hongrattanaram, which has ‘swan’ in its name.

This station is the best choice for visiting Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). Since it is less than a kilometre to the north on the Chao Phraya riverside.

Wat Arun features a different design to other temples in Bangkok. Its main Khmer-style tower rising to a height of some 66 metres. Additionally, it has a decoration of seashells and bits of porcelain that glimmer in the sunlight.

It is also an internationally recognisable landmark, having been used as a location in several Hollywood movies.

This story is based on a press release provided by Tourism Authority of Thailand.