Unique Thai Art

Unique Art, Culture, and Lifestyle

Thailand Culture Thailand is a country of scenic diversity and ancient traditions, of tranquil temples and modern urban excitement. With an independent history going back more than seven centuries, it has managed to absorb a variety of cultural influences and blend them into something uniquely and memorably Thai. From the moment of arrival and being greeted with the gracious wai gesture, to one’s first experience of authentic Thai cuisine or a colorful classical dance performance, the process of collecting unforgettable memories to bring home never ends. Thailand Temples    There are more than 30,000 Buddhist       temples in Thailand, with every community  having at least one in its vicinity. The temple has always played a significant role as a social, educational, and spiritual center. Much of the Thailand’s artistic and cultural heritage can be seen in the architecture and decoration of the temples, with their murals, woodcarvings, and Buddha images. Popular temples are Wat Phra Kaeo (The Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn), Wat Benchamabophit  (The Marble Temple), and Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha). These are all in Bangkok and highly recommended to all visitors. Royal Palaces of Thailand The royal palaces of Thailand provide a fascinating glimpse of the majesty and splendor of the Thai monarchy. Several of them are open to visitors, including The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Phra Nakhon Khiri Summer Palace in Phetchaburi, Bang Pa-In Summer Palace in Ayutthaya, Vimanmek Palace in Bangkok, and Mrigadayavan Palace in Phetchaburi Thai Cuisine and the Art of Fruit & Vegetable Carving   Thai cuisine is as rich and diverse as its culture. To experience the real thing surrounded by the sights and sounds of Thailand is truly special. Bangkok and other major tourist destinations offer an incredible selection of dining places in all price ranges. From curbside food stalls selling simple but good food, to smart, upscale restaurants, there is something to please everyone. Thailand is also a treasure trove of exotic tropical fruits and vegetables. The art of fruit and vegetable carving is a part of the Thai heritage. It is used to decorate the plate as well as the table. It also provides an inner peace and contentment to both the carver and the diner in a very different way. Performing Arts Most visitors will be exposed to classical Thai music and dance at the National Theatre in Bangkok or in a tourist-oriented restaurant. Exploring other Thai performing arts will enhance your cultural experiences. Seeing Khon classical masked dance, originally performed only in the royal courts, is a must. Chalermkrung Royal Theatre offers several performances such as Khon, Thai dance performances, dramas, and plays. Other options include Siam Niramit and Joe Louis Theatre, offering a world-class spectacular performance in one-of-a-kind cultural theme complex, and a small traditional Thai puppet show, respectively.   ---------------------------------------------------------------- Thai Boxing Muay Thai is a national form of martial art and increasingly popular worldwide. There are several Muay Thai stadiums across the country. The main tourist spots often provide twice-weekly shows, but the real thing is best seen in Bangkok at Lumphini Stadium on Tuesday and Friday nights, and Ratchadamnoen Stadium on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday nights. Riverside Lifestyles The architecture and way of life along the river and canals continues to remain true to Thailand’s beginnings. Floating markets are a colorful reminder of the days when farmers brought their produce to sell by boat early in the morning. Popular floating markets include Damnoen Saduak, Taling Chan, Amphawa and Tha Kha. For more insights on the riverside community, take a canal trip along the canal of Klong Om to the island of Ko Kret in Nontaburi, home to the Mon community. Enjoy the lush fruit orchards with a visit to Ko Kret pottery village, and Klong Khanom Wan, the “Dessert Canal.” Thai paintings Traditional Thai paintings showed subjects in two dimensions without perspective. The size of each element in the picture reflected its degree of importance. The primary technique of composition is that of apportioning areas: the main elements are isolated from each other by space transformers. This eliminated the intermediate ground, which would otherwise imply perspective. Perspective was introduced only as a result of Western influence in the mid-19th century. The most frequent narrative subjects for paintings were or are: the Jataka stories, episodes from the life of the Buddha, the Buddhist heavens and hells, and scenes of daily life. Some of the scenes are influenced by Thai folklore instead of following strict Buddhist iconography. --------------------------------------------- Traditional Culture Thailand is located at the meeting point of the two great cultural systems of Asia, Chinese and Indian. In everyday life, Chinese culture has mixed very well with the Thai, whereas in Thai court culture, which has been based mainly on Buddhism and Brahmanism, India has exerted a strong influence. Thai culture can be divided into 3 aspects: linguistic culture, court culture, and traditional culture. By traditional culture we mean customs concerning agriculture and human relations, and the art of making daily necessities such as utensils, clothing and basketry. The basis of the Thai customs and traditions lies in the family, whose structure is of bilateral descent. Like the Chinese and some other Asian peoples, the young are taught to pay respect to and follow the admonitions of parents, elders, teachers and Buddhist monks who, in the old days, formed a highly educated class. When speaking about traditional Thai culture, what cannot be left unmentioned is the wat or Buddhist temple and monastery combined. After Buddhism had been spread throughout Thailand for hundreds of years, the primitive animist belief of the Thai people was assimilated by the Buddhist one. The wat became the centre of the village. It was the place where people received education, attended rites and ceremonies, and observed feasts and festivals all the year round. Nowadays, due to the rapid advancement of technology, the traditional Thai way of living, especially in the big cities, has inevitably changed. However, it is still preserved to a large extent in the faraway rural areas where modern civilization has failed to penetrate.