Field Trips in Thailand:
July 13 (Saturday)
Introduction:
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Grand Palace and Wat Prakeaw
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Palace)
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Phra_Kaew)
The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782. The king, his court and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925. The present monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), currently resides at Chitralada Palace, but the Grand Palace is still used for official events. The palace complex is roughly rectangular and has a combined area of 218,400 square metres (2,351,000 sq ft), surrounded by four walls. It is situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River at the heart of the Rattanakosin Island, today in the Phra Nakhon District. Rather than being a single structure, the Grand Palace is made up of numerous buildings, halls, pavilions set around open lawns, gardens and courtyards. Its asymmetry and eclectic styles are due to its organic development, with additions and rebuilding being made by successive reigning kings over 200 years of history. The Grand Palace is currently partially open to the public as a museum, however it remains a working palace as several royal offices are still situated inside. The palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand.
The Wat Phra Kaew or Temple of the Emerald Buddha is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple (wat) in Thailand. It is located in the historic centre of Bangkok, within the precincts of the Grand Palace.
July 13 (Satuday)
Visit to Artist’s House (Baan Silapin)
Introduction:
The Artist’s House (Baan Silapin)
(https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.153233138034748.24365.119272868097442)
(http://traveltobangkok.blogspot.com/2011/05/quiet-bangkok-baan-silapin-artists.html)
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbodlk5jqt0)
One outstanding wooden house on Khlong Bang Luang is Baan Silapin, or the Artist's House. The two-storey L-shaped house is built around an ancient pagoda which lies in its garden. The wooden shophouses and Ayutthaya-era temples around the precinct give you a feeling of how the old capital of Thonburi looked in the 17th century. Back then, Khlong Bang Luang was the residential area for influential families and high-ranking government officials. From there comes the name Bang Luang: Bang means "area", Luang refers to the monarchy (whom the officials serve). The current owners (the artist, Chumpol Akkapantanon, and his three friends) decided to buy the house from a retired admiral, renovating it and turning it into a colorful art center and gallery. Thanks to the so-called Artist’s House, they managed to preserve the traditional way of river life— so much so that you can hardly believe you are in Bangkok—and reanimated an old art form of Thai puppeteering.
July 15 (Monday)
Visit to Museum of Counterfeit Goods
Introduction:
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The Museum of Counterfeit Goods
http://www.tilleke.com/firm/community/museum
http://travel.cnn.com/bangkok/play/faking-it-bangkoks-museum-counterfeit-goods-255219
The Museum of Counterfeit Goods is comprised of more than 4,000 goods that infringe trademarks, patents, and copyrights. The museum, which is among the largest of its kind in the world, houses a collection covering 14 broad categories of goods, including clothing, footwear, watches and eyewear, accessories, cosmetics and perfumes, food and household products, drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, copyrighted works, stationery and office suplies, automotive parts, tools, electrical devices, and miscellaneous products. Many of the infringing goods were seized in raids conducted on behalf of the firm's clients. Explore our case studies on serveral categories of infringing products.
The Museum of Counterfeit Goods has attracted significant media attention, and at least four major foreign television broadcasting companies (including CNN and BBC) have featured the museum in their documentaries concerning the counterfeit situation in Thailand. Many local and international newspapers and magazines have also published articles on the museum. Read more about our media coverage by clicking news.
Tilleke & Gibbins' IP attorneys provide free lectures and guided tours of our Museum of Counterfeit Goods to students of all ages, clients, diplomats, intellectual property practitiners, thai and foreign police, Interpol offices, judges, government officials, and business executives. By viewing counterfeit goods alngside their genuine counterparts, museum visitors gain a new perspective on the extent and consequences of the counterfeiting of legitimate goods.
July 16 (Tuesday)
Visit to Chareon Chai Community
Introduction:
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Chareon Chai community, Chinatown
(http://www.student-weekly.com/030912/030912-education02.html)
(http://bangkokvanguards.wordpress.com/our-projects/charoen-chai-community-preservation-project/charoen-chai-community/)
(http://www.thaiworld.org/enn/thailand_monitor/answera.php?question_id=1192)
Charoen Chai community, hidden near Bangkok’s Chinatown, is a place where many ethnic Chinese shop for paper lanterns and red table mats embroidered with golden dragons for temples and ceremonies since King Rama V. And, in fact, it is the last of such community in Thailand. But the future of the old community is now uncertain. The aged shop-houses on four-lane Charoen Krung Road are being demolished to make way for the future Wat Mangkon MRT station (underground train). This is a crucial story in better understanding the forces and consequences of change in one of Asia’s great capitals. Charoen Chai is one of many battles being fought at the frontline of modernization and redevelopment and like usual, it is a fight David vs. Goliath. The prospective outcomes of these battles are eviction and demolition of entire neighborhoods for profit-oriented purposes and it is looming over this otherwise very busy and yet picturesque neighborhood.
Why is it that we protect our temples but not the communities that have been witness of history for centuries and where culture lives as it did centuries ago? Do we want rid the city of its genuine character that sets itself apart from other cities or are we on our way to become just another carbon copy of a city designed and characterized simply by modern market forces dominated by western style housing complexes and shopping malls. If you visit the Historical Hut in Charoen Chai you may sink in deeper contemplation over these questions.