Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Journeys of northern art
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 07/02/2019
» Travel is fun, especially when it can be carried out under uncommon themes. The North is charming for the beauty of its nature, art and culture. Visiting the North to learn and appreciate traditional craftsmanship is an interesting idea, inspired by the ongoing exhibition "Tracing The Fading Legacy: Stories Of Living Legends" at Raya Heritage, Chiang Mai, that will run until the end of March as a tribute to handicraft masters and teachers.
Preserving the ancient arts
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 22/10/2018
» One night in Khanom district of Nakhon Si Thammarat province, 15-year-old Thanawit Kerddam brought out his best in performing a southern folk tale before numerous viewers. He provided the voices to more than 10 nang talung shadow puppets, sang along with fast-paced southern music, and occasionally slipped in jokes and current events. Although the audience from Bangkok did not understand the southern dialect, they felt the characters' emotions as the shadow puppets danced behind the white-cloth screen.
A sporting chance
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 05/02/2018
» Several teenagers were playing table tennis and badminton, their eyes fixed on movements, their brains whirling, their hands skilfully moving as they played forehand and backhand drives. Most of them are young people who were once juvenile delinquents but now they are trying to turn their lives around. Some of the support they receive is from sports training and empowerment projects initiated by Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha.
Siam through the looking glass
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 09/09/2016
» Many pictures of Siam are currently owned and kept by foreigners abroad and have never been shown in Thailand, until now. A total of 150 rare photographs, developed from foreign collectors and institutes' original photo prints and collodion, record the development of Siam and are on view at "Unseen Siam -- Early Photography 1860-1910" at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). Hosted by the centre and River Books, the show runs until Nov 7.
Little puppet master
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 27/06/2016
» Last month, hundreds of people were enjoying the traditional southern Thai shadow puppet performance known as nang talung. At a show at Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Centre in Bangkok, they were mesmerised by the puppeteering, singing and dubbing skills of Thailand's youngest nang talung performer, Sakon Suwannakhot. This nine-year-old boy from Phra Phrom, Nakhon Si Thammarat, started practising the art at the age of seven. Today, he is the puppet master of a seven-member troupe under the Talung Dharma Youth Project of Wat Phra Phrom.
Rocket Man rocks Bangkok
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 03/12/2015
» Sir Elton John entertained thousands of his Thai and foreign fans at "Elton John All The Hits Tour Live in Bangkok" at Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani on Sunday night.
Friends across the border
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 21/05/2015
» Last week was the third time I have visited Myanmar in the last three years. There have been a few changes caused by the influence of materialism and capitalism, but things seem fine, in general.
The circus comes to town
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 04/12/2014
» During last month's Harmony World Puppet Carnival Bangkok Thailand 2014, audiences had the rare opportunity to experience the art of puppetry from 80 countries in one place — Rattanakosin Island, the old quarter of Bangkok. More than 100 stages and street shows were inspired by history, pop culture, social situations and used traditional forms of puppetry as well as influences of other performing arts such as circus. Many shows brought smiles, laughter and tears, and many were thought-provoking.
The confidant of kings
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 07/04/2014
» He was the sole tutor of two Thai monarchs — King Ananda Mahidol, Rama VIII, and HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej. In Switzerland in 1936, Cleon Seraidaris, a lawyer, started guiding the young King Rama VIII and Prince Bhumibol towards their educational goals. Up until his death in 1997, his close ties and devotion to HM the King and the royal family of Thailand remained strong.
Stepping back in time
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 10/07/2012
» Standing tall in a tiny alley off Lan Luang Road is a two-storey wooden house with a gabled roof. Today the structure is in a sorry state, with the walls, floors and window frames all badly in need of repair.