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Exploring Bangkok’s Rich Cultural Tapestry

EMBRACING OLD AGE THROUGH RELIGION: Ampai (middle), 71, poses with DMC students Nadhra Qistina (left) and Muhammad Fauzan (right). She has been working at The Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen Royal Temple for more than 22 years. She has the intention of spending her ageing years providing service to the temple. As the one in charge of the information centre, she always looks forward to sharing knowledge regarding the Buddhist religion to the visitors. (PHOTO: Irnny Binte Irman)

Thailand is a country rich in history and culture, and it is located a mere 2.5 hours away from Singapore by air. During DMC’s Bangkok School Overseas Trip in September, 45 students had an insightful exposure to Thai culture, from spiritual temples to bustling markets. Here are some highlights from the trip.

BY IRNNY BINTE IRMAN, ASHWIN SINGH DHILLON, ASHWINI JAYASANKAR, SOFIA BINTE MOHAMMAD FAHMY, ISABEL HAH RUI EN & ZAINA HUSSAIN

12 DEC 2023

EMBRACING OLD AGE THROUGH RELIGION: Ampai (middle), 71, poses with DMC students Nadhra Qistina (left) and Muhammad Fauzan (right). She has been working at The Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen Royal Temple for more than 22 years. She has the intention of spending her ageing years providing service to the temple. As the one in charge of the information centre, she always looks forward to sharing knowledge regarding the Buddhist religion to the visitors. (PHOTO: Irnny Binte Irman)

THE MAJESTIC AND LUMINOUS JADE TEMPLE: The Jade Temple that lies on the last floor of the Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen Royal Temple is a replica of the infamous Jade Temple in Buddhist culture. At night, it lights up as though there are the rays of God emitting from it. To reach the magnificent sites of the Jade Temple, one must climb up four flights of stairs through relics of Buddhism to feast on this sight. (PHOTO: Ashwin Singh Dhillon)
A GLIMPSE OF TRANQUILLITY: A 64-meter tall Buddha statue, constructed in the year 2017, graces the premises of the Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen temple, earning the distinction of being the tallest Buddha statue in Bangkok. The decision to erect this statue was driven by the temple’s desire to pay homage to Buddhism and to honor the memory of the esteemed former abbot, Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro, who played a pivotal role in transforming the temple into a renowned meditation center. (PHOTO: Ashwini Jayasankar)
ALLEYS OF THE TEMPLE: On the banks of several Bangkok canals, lies the Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen Royal Temple. The temple was built in 1610 and is a major tourist attraction. It has many alleys snaking around the different majestic buildings in the temple compound. Straight ahead leads to the exit of the temple, turning left leads to the pagoda and turning right goes to the fish feeding centre. (PHOTO: Isabel Hah Rui En)
JOY IN HELPING AND PASSION FOR MUSIC: Kuntharp, 12, enjoys Thai music and his favourite Thai instrument to play is the Ranat Ek.  Occasionally after school, he would visit his grandfather’s vintage shop which is near his school, located at the Amphawa Floating Market. He would then play Thai songs on the Ranat Ek to attract visitors. He finds joy in helping out his grandfather while fulfilling his passion. (PHOTO: Irnny binte Irman)
CROWDS BROWSING AT AMPHAWA FLOATING MARKET: During a rainy afternoon, there were still crowds at Amphawa Floating Market as people jostled to get a better look at seller’s wares and bargain for lower prices while trying to stay out of the rain where possible. (PHOTO: Isabel Hah Rui En)
FLOATING DESIRES: The Amphawa Floating Market actually is pretty lengthy with bridges connecting both sides of the market. In the floating markets, there are also boat rides that the locals provide to tourists. The market usually opens around 2 pm every day, but some vendors may arrive earlier in the afternoon. As night falls and the activities start picking up, it reaches its peak between 6 pm to 8 pm. You can get to Amphawa Floating Market by bus, train, or private car. The journey takes about 1.5 to 2 hours by car from Bangkok, depending on traffic. The Amphawa floating market offers an assortment of hand-made crafts, souvenirs and loads of interesting local foods. (PHOTO: Ashwin Singh Dhillon)
THROUGH THE RAILWAYS OF THE SHOPS: The Maeklong Railway Market is not your usual everyday market; what makes this market so unique is the fact that it is built on and beside the railway tracks of a very active and functioning train. The locals are accustomed to the timings and routine of the train and have gained the ability to swiftly “fold” their shops to let the train through. After the train passes by, they go back to business as if nothing had happened. (PHOTO: Ashwin Singh Dhillon)
A MARKET BY THE WATER: Amphawa Floating Market can be seen teeming with numerous boats and people, offering a wide range of Thai local goods and souvenirs at reasonable prices. From land-based shops to food stalls operated on moving boats, the market also offers visitors a boat ride to experience the best of both worlds. (PHOTO: Sofia Binte Mohammad Fahmy)
THE HISTORY OF MAEKLONG STATION: Maeklong Station, a station situated in the East Bank of Mae Klong river running 67 kilometres between Samut Songkhram (central Thailand) and Wongwian Yai, Bangkok. The train snakes through the chattering of the market, array of fresh produce and the busyness of the visiting crowds every few hours making its way right through the market. (PHOTO: Zaina Hussain)
THE TRAIN AND ITS PEOPLE: The train fills up with its favourite locals who hastily make their way in catching their seats for the joyride the train offers. The train market is open 7 days a week from 6.20am to 5.40pm. Opening hours coincide with the first arrival and last train departure from Maeklong Station. The parasol-closing event happens eight times per day according to the time that trains leave Mahachai for Mae Klong and depart Mae Klong for Mahachai. (PHOTO: Zaina Hussain)
ELEGANCE IN DANCE: Brightly coloured and elaborate khon masks are worn by dancers at the Nopparat Thai Classical Dance and Restaurant. An impressive performance to watch,seeing the dancers enact Ramayana, an ancient folklore with just purely expressions and gestures without speaking a single line. (PHOTO: Ashwini Jayasankar)
DMC STUDENTS JOINING IN THE FUN: At the end of the delightful cultural performance, DMC Students were invited to come up onto the stage to dance alongside the performers. They took part enthusiastically while performers and the rest of the students cheered them on. (PHOTO: Isabel Hah Rui En)
WHERE ARTS KNOW NO BOUNDARIES: With DMC’s arrival on the performing arts stage in Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Communication Arts, the students majoring in Performing Arts shared their collective wisdom and partnered to perform a graceful handkerchief dance together. Despite it being their first time meeting, all of the uneasiness vanished as soon as their teacher counted the students into the music, “…and 5, 6, 7, 8.”

Established in 1965, Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Communication Arts marks the first communication school in Thailand, and the 14th Faculty within the university itself. With Performing Arts being the Faculty’s niche, a vast miscellany of potential stars await their chance in the limelight within the student body. (PHOTO: Sofia Binte Mohammad Fahmy)
EMBRACING THAI CULTURE: Thai Floral Garland, also known as ‘Phuang Malai’ (phuang means garland, malai meaning flower), is one of the many Thai traditional handicrafts. According to the Royal Thai Embassy in 2015, the origin of ‘Phuang Malai’ dates back over two hundred years to the reign of King Rama V when flower arranging was a skill practised by ladies of the royal court.

Often considered a symbolic gift given to a special guest as a sign of respect, or an offering to shrines and temples, making Phuang Malai is a simple yet intricate process; from cutting delicate flowers to threading them together, the national symbol of love, luck, and respect is no stranger to those that would like to learn more about the Thai culture. (PHOTO: Sofia Binte Mohammad Fahmy)

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