Showing 1 - 8 of 8
Moulded by music
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 04/12/2017
» His trembling hands work with bamboo wood and turn it into Thai xylophone and gong wong mallets. Despite difficulties as a result of a stroke he suffered years ago, Chalor Jaichuen, one of the country's last craftsmen who still makes Thai xylophone and gong wong mallets by hand, maintains the dexterity of an expert.
Performing arts for the royal funeral
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 23/10/2017
» On the grounds of Sanam Luang this Thursday, dancers will dance, puppeteers will weave their magic and singers will croon sad songs. This is the time of mourning, but there is a centuries-old tradition of the royal court to host festivities on the occasion of a royal funeral. A wide range of majestic performances will grace the stages from 6pm on the royal cremation day until early the following morning.
To the beat of the drum
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 29/06/2017
» Nan is a northern city which was founded more than 700 years ago, and has unique art and culture. Its people have a proverb saying that Nan's heavenly sounds are "the sound of beating gongs and drums", "the sound of rice-pounding mortars" and "the sound of scripture-reciting monks". They believe the city continues to prosper as long as it is rich in food and resources, the people live comfortably, Buddhist monks are good and the sound of musical instruments and the puja drums resonate as offerings to the Lord Buddha.
Handle with care
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 12/07/2016
» Around 2 million fascicles, or phuk, of manuscripts have been found so far in Thailand, massive records of ancient stories and knowledge mostly kept in temples. Many of them are in a sorry state, only about 10% of these manuscripts having been registered by the Fine Arts Department's Manuscripts and Inscriptions Group since 1975. The rest need the care of monks and local villagers to save them from the ravages of time.
A play of righteousness
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 28/06/2016
» After the great success of its premiere on June 9, the Fine Arts Department's stage play Phra Mahajanaka, makes a comeback tomorrow at 1pm at the National Theatre near Sanam Luang.
The sweet life
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 19/04/2016
» Desserts are a form of culture. They are more than just food since they mirror history and civilisations. In some countries, desserts were even used to save cities from invaders, such as when the Chinese put secret messages for their allies inside moon cakes during wartime. In various cultures, desserts are integral to religious ceremonies, rituals and festivities and also symbolise friendship.
Behind the Thai mask
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 15/08/2014
» Three men wearing white shirts and red jongkraben (traditional Thai trousers) are practising their khon dance performance in a classroom. From afar they look like your typical Thai masked dance experts, as their posture and movements are smooth and delicate. On closer inspection, however, you may notice something, or someone, out of place, at least according to popular perception. One of the dancers is 30-year-old Canadian Benjamin Tardif.
A lifelong love of learning
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 01/10/2012
» At the age of 94, royal scholar Prof Prasert Na Nagara, renowned for his ability to read ancient inscriptions, still enjoys good health and goes to work at the Royal Institute every weekday. He continues to travel upcountry and abroad and strolls a couple of kilometres a day for exercise.