Thailand is a really enriched cultural country at SEA :)

CULTURE SPHERE: Bangkok could become the Edinburgh of SE Asia

Published on September 17, 2005

Turning a city into a cultural hub takes time, effort and creativity. Take Edinburgh, for example; it has taken decades to lay its cultural foundations, as I learned on my recent trip to the Scottish capital. Tiny, gorgeous, Gothic Edinburgh has always been a great destination for tourists, but in August it becomes the world capital of culture, a city whose annual festival of arts is actually several festivals rolled into one.

Every summer for the past 59 years, Edinburgh has showcased the most exciting performances in the world, plus film festivals, book fairs, world-class art exhibitions and interesting gigs in bars and cafes. Thousands of performers, film-makers, dancers and other creative types gathered this year from around the globe, while state and private museums and galleries exhibited the likes of Paul Gauguin and Francis Bacon.

There were bagpipes, of course, this being Scotland, but there was also flamenco. Gauguin tried but failed to one up the graffiti artists. Gypsies sang in the parks and mimes clowned along the main streets.

There were jazz and classical music, contemporary dance and ballet, cutting-edge and traditional theatre, sparklingly witty alternative comedy, all with generous helpings of Scotland’s own diverse culture.

Any place you can think of is transformed into a stage, conventional arts and music venues like theatres and concert halls, of course, but parks, streets, churches, bars, cafes, even a car, all serve as impromptu performance areas.

Imagine a thousand shows in a single weekend, and all the while a non-stop cafe culture and different types of nightlife. It was more than a month of round-the-clock fun and entertainment. The wide variety of arts offers something for everyone. You can choose whatever you like. Children love the clowns, theatre enthusiasts enjoy grand productions. Open-minded art lovers prefer cutting-edge and experimental pieces, while the middle-aged flock to classical theatres.

My own experience at the Traverse Theatre one night was especially impressive! It wasn’t only the interesting one-man play by a wonderful playwright with his natural acting style, but also the blind woman and her seeing-eye dog who sat in the audience. Who knows? Maybe what she imagined was more interesting than what I and the 50 other theatre-goers saw on stage. When there’s so much art around you – and so many people enjoying it – all barriers dissolve.

Organising such huge events is not easy. They are operated jointly by the government and private sector, proving that establishing a rich culture takes time and professional management. The media also play an important part in educating the public and promoting the festivals. Established newspapers such as the Guardian and the Sunday Times could barely keep up with reviews and recommendations, so the leafleteers clogged the streets, making sure everyone knew their options for the next hour, day and week.

“The Edinburgh festivals are platforms for both amateurs and professionals,” noted veteran Bangkok dramatist Patravadi Mejudhon, who was there as a guest of the British Council, checking out new titles and scouting for new productions and training opportunities for her Patravadi Theatre. “Being able to view so many productions inspires new ideas,” she added. “We learn from other production companies and have a chance to establish connections so we can collaborate in the future.”

Now back in Bangkok. While I experienced first-hand how culturally rich Edinburgh is, our own City of Angels has recently had big news in regard to laying its own cultural foundation. After waiting eight years for an arts centre, Governor Apirak Kosayodhin officially declared on August 19 that the nation’s first international-standard arts centre would definitely be built in Bangkok. Apirak signed an agreement with nine representatives from the world of art and culture. The Bt430-million centre will be located at the Pathum Wan intersection opposite Siam Discovery Centre and should be finished by the end of next year.

The agreement confirmed the collaboration between the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the People’s Network for the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre, which has lobbied for the project for years.

“It’s time to shine some light on this on-again, off-again project,” said Apirak, making the announcement at an event in Benjasiri Park. The city chose a design by architects Robert G Boughey and Associates. The 11-storey centre will boast 23,203 square metres of floor space and house a potpourri of all types of art.

But establishing an infrastructure is only the first step in preparing Bangkok to be a cultural hub. Also needed is professional management, an educated public and links to private international organisations. Multidiscipline management is always a challenge for this city.

Indeed, Bangkok’s is a rice culture with an interesting dynamic compared with other Asian capitals. But learning how to manage our arts and culture effectively will take time; buildings are only a beginning. Getting to the very core of culture requires a high degree of cooperation between the government, the private sector and the general public.

Phatarawadee Phataranawik

Yea. Lots of culture I've seen

It's absolutely that the nation is so enriched of cultures.

It's not even close to say it's such a cultural place. But it's full of different little unique cultures that is living together with joy. Smile, occupies and draws happiness on earth.

no doubt.

yes

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very Thai la ... :cheers:

even the newest building has culture

Sorry to disagree guys but you are all wrong!

Bangkok has the potential to be like Edinburgh one day; creative people, great fun, cheap, good climate. I hope so much it will.

But just putting an elephant or a garuda or an angel on everything is not "culture" in this sense - it's national identity, which is not the same.

How often does someone in BKK say "let's go see a show by a young group of stuggling actors" or "let's go look at some art" or "let's sit down and discuss our favourite books?" or even "let's go see a [non-Hollywood] foreign film?". The answer - virtually never: "mai sanuk, pai shopping dee gwar" is always the response.

There are many creative, artistic Thais in BKK (think of the Propaganda company, or Khun Patravdai herself), and things are getting better (like with la Fete), but there is still a long, long, long way to go to get average people here genuinely interested in art and culture. For example, how would your parents react if you said "I want to be a dancer/poet/writer/actor"? Proboably with horror!! (unless it was an actor in a soap opera)...

Actually City of Angel had become more brilliance as a cultural city to SEA that evolve into upcoming century to be tracking, resemble in NYC and YYZ, in term of main stream and sub-cultural prominently ;) eg. Thai Cooking and massage classes and Bangkok Pride apart from main influence event to Film and music festival etc.

Also we would be seen Gov't and private sector are they target some event and function for many year to come not only focus on the capital, but also thorough fully to all province at well. :)

But I do agreed that culture is not only to served for a small group of people for the top and narrow of segment and it must be penetration to the general public : :cheers1: to enjoying to our wonderful and colorful element at the life

Sorry to disagree guys but you are all wrong!

Bangkok has the potential to be like Edinburgh one day; creative people, great fun, cheap, good climate. I hope so much it will.

But just putting an elephant or a garuda or an angel on everything is not "culture" in this sense - it's national identity, which is not the same.

How often does someone in BKK say "let's go see a show by a young group of stuggling actors" or "let's go look at some art" or "let's sit down and discuss our favourite books?" or even "let's go see a [non-Hollywood] foreign film?". The answer - virtually never: "mai sanuk, pai shopping dee gwar" is always the response.

There are many creative, artistic Thais in BKK (think of the Propaganda company, or Khun Patravdai herself), and things are getting better (like with la Fete), but there is still a long, long, long way to go to get average people here genuinely interested in art and culture. For example, how would your parents react if you said "I want to be a dancer/poet/writer/actor"? Proboably with horror!! (unless it was an actor in a soap opera)...

well said Khun Padthai...
i agree with you there...

it takes more than hardware and 'elephants 'n garuda' to become a
'Renaissance City'
it's the 'software' that really counts (talented individuals having the space and opportunity to express their artistic / cultural creativity)

Bangkok is on its way to become a cultural city... But not there yet...

Padthai is right..are we being too white-washed?, the new generation seems to be fond of the western culture more than our own culture. anything from the west always gain greater support from the thais. It is really pathetic.

anyway, i think it happens to other asian countries as well.

Dusit and Le Cordon Bleu in joint venture to establish culinary arts education in Bangkok
23 September 2005


Dusit and Le Cordon Bleu, one of the world’s largest culinary arts institutes, have set up a joint venture to offer a comprehensive range of quality culinary arts education courses.

Named Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Academy of World Cuisines to be located at the Dusit Thani Building, and offering an international Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in Professional Chef and Restaurant Management at Dusit Thani College, Srinakarin, this new venture with both Dusit and Dusit Thani College aims to become Bangkok’s most modern and complete culinary training establishment of a scale and scope never before achieved.

This new partnership developed in response to the rapidly increasing demand in Thailand for the finest quality culinary arts education and hospitality training,is also open to non-professionals in the culinary industry who would like to learn how to cook or know about food.

The Academy will feature courses intended for all who are interested in culinary arts, ranging from studies in cuisine to patisserie; as well as innovative English-language courses intended to supplement and especially enhance service industry standards through improved English skills.

Programs are offered as diploma courses or as workshops. In addition, the Academy also boasts state of the art facilities, a coffee shop and bistro, a cultural centre and a sales outlet of culinary and kitchen products. Construction will get underway soon, with classes commencing in 2006.

Dusit Thani College will cater to those seeking a degree in Professional Chef and Restaurant Management, and the curriculum will be taught entirely in English.

The following Le Cordon Bleu courses, customized to Thai needs, will initially be offered at the Academy:

• Basic Cuisine (Cuisine de Base)
• Basic Patisserie (Patisserie de Base)
• Intermediate Cuisine (Cuisine Intermediaire)
• Intermediate Patisserie (Patisserie Intermediaire)
• Le Cordon Bleu English for Tourism and Hospitality

Short Course Program

• World Cuisines
• Wine Studies and Appreciation
• Beverage Service Operations
• Food Service Operations
• Restaurant Food and Beverage Service
• Food and Wine Philosophy (Combining Flavors, Textures, Food and Wine)

Gourmet Program

• Cuisine workshops (2 days)
• Patisserie workshops (2 days)
• Initiation to French Cuisine (4 weeks)/ Initiation to French Patisserie (4 weeks)
• A Taste of Le Cordon Bleu (4 days)
• Patisserie a la Carte (4 days)
• Boulangerie (3 days)
• A Taste of Health Eating (1 day)
• Hygiene and Nutrition (1-2 weeks)
• Les Petits Cordons Bleus (Saturday 3 hours for 8 weeks for children)
• Menu Planning (2 days)
• Catering/Buffet Techniques

Not entirely in English...most of the technical names are in French of course!

Phuket _ A seven-week cultural fair was launched on Friday in Phuket province, featuring grand processions and magnificent cultural shows in a bid to revive tourism on the island following last year's tsunami. Jointly organised by provincial authorities, the Culture Ministry's National Culture Commission and the private sector, the fair runs until Nov 6.

Thousands of residents and tourists took part in the opening ceremony, presided over by Culture Minister Uraiwan Thienthong.

Three major streets on the island _ Thalang, Krabi and Deebuk _ have been designated ``cultural streets''.

A host of activities are planned, including both local and international cultural events, performance arts, and the sale of locally-made products.

A mass wedding ceremony has been organised for 48 couples.

They will pay 18,000 baht to join the ceremony.

Organisers expect the fair to stimulate tourism in a province hit hard by the tsunami.

Tourism authorities are also expecting October's vegetarian festival to generate income of about 200 million baht for the province.

Suwalai Pinpradap, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Zone 4, said at least 50,000 tourists from Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and China were expected to join the annual vegetarian fair, which takes place during Oct 3-11.

A statue of Chinese goddess Chao Mae Tap Tim will be brought over from China for the festival. Residents and tourists will be able to view the statue at Navamin Plaza in Muang district.

Ms Suwalai said tourism during the last quarter had improved as evidenced by a 20% increase in flight arrivals.

Meanwhile, authorities from Phuket and China's Hainan province yesterday signed an agreement to twin the islands.

Phuket Governor Udomsak Assawarangkul said Phuket would benefit financially from the agreement.

More Chinese tourists would arrive in Phuket and relations between the two provinces would be strengthened.

by ACHADTAYA CHUENNIRAN

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Residents dressed in old-fashioned costumes march in a parade to launch Phuket's seven-week cultural fair. The fair, held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, is aimed at attracting tourists back to the tsunami-hit province. &mash; SURAPOL PROMSANA NA SAKOLNAKORN

"A host of activities are planned, including both local and international cultural events, performance arts, and the sale of locally-made products."

Sounds good, but I hope that the last one doesn't make up 80% of the "festival", as is usually the way ;->

THAI ART

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Love the top one!!!

Love the top one!!!
lol!!

Sure like hell we are, although unlike in the west we are not very good about advertising it... except for the more touristy stuff.

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Wow!!!. I 've never seen anything so wild and stylish like those pics before. Stunned!!!

Absolutely BKK is the cultural center of SEA. But I agree with PADTHAI that - “... just putting an elephant or a garuda or an angel on everything is not "culture" in this sense - it's national identity, which is not the same.”

Culture does not mean you have to always be reiterating the past. Though its important to remember and preserve the past. And it does not mean it has to always come from a Thai. New York City and London are great cultural centers because they are “melting pots” -people come from all over the world go there. That mix generates creativity. Many famous American cultural institutions were started by immigrants - a foreigner took something from their old home land and something from their new home and created a new thing that is now considered very American. What I like about BKK is that it is international. I think that is what will make BKK a real cultural hub if it can keep an open mind. Thai artists need to embrace the world.

Part of the problem with Bangkok is that it is a very scattered (spread out) city. There is no real modern cultural center.

Is Bangkok or all of Asia being white-washed? Culture and tastes change everywhere. Here in California we are seeing more and more Asian influences. San Francisco open large Asian Art Museum and there others in Los Angeles too. We have Japanese gardens, Buddhist temples & retreats, and every month a new sushi or Thai restaurant opens up. So while Thais and Asians are looking to the west many westerners are looking to the east. I think even if Thais adopt more western culture they will reconstruct it to fit their own style or culture. However, I do not like some of the western imports.

Counting the days before I leave for BKK. :carrot:

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Street SHOW

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^^^^^That's really fantastic and impressive.^^^^^

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I don't like how they put "...to lure more tourists"

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^^^^Colorful and diversity is really Silom these day.^^^^

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Hoontown puppets pull in the crowds
Published on December 31, 2005

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A festival of multinational puppets kicked off last night, entertaining the audience with music, lights and visual effects. Thailand’s first Hoontown Festival 2005 is being held on Samsen Road Soi 5 in Bangkok. The event drew a large crowd of people from the neighbourhood, especially children in the Wat Sam Phraya community, as well as many foreigners passing by.

The performances commenced with the Joe Louis Puppet Theatre, narrating one scene from the “Ramayana” epic in which Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god, is trying to seduce a beautiful giantess named Benjakai. In this show, each puppet requires three performers to control and the performers were truly enjoying themselves in their job.

After the show, the performers directed their puppets to greet the children and salute spectators as well as to kiss their cheeks.

“It’s very funny. The puppets are very beautiful and I liked it the most when Hanuman climbed up the rope to wave us goodbye,” said one young spectator.

Incorporated in the first day’s events were shows called Aquarium Team in the Aquarium Zone, White Snake, The Colonists, Kae Dum Dum’s Golden Mountain, and many more.

The festival continues until tomorrow.

Bangkok Pride ~~~~ 2005

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