Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
modern master creating elegant human and mythical forms out of bronze. Kamin
Lertchaiprasert explores the subject of spirituality and daily life in his sculptural in-
stallations, which often include a small army of papier-mâché figures. His exhibit
Ngern Nang (Sitting Money) included a series of figures made of discarded paper
bills from the national bank and embellished with poetic instructions on life and love.
Handicrafts
Thailand's handicrafts live on for the tourist markets, and some have been updated by
chic Bangkok designers.
» Ceramics The best-known ceramics are the greenish Thai-style celadon and central
Thailand's ben·jà·rong (five colour), an adaptation of a Chinese style.
» Lacquerware Northern Thailand is known for this handicraft inherited from Burma.
» Textiles The northeast is famous for mát·mèe cloth - a thick cotton or silk fabric
woven from tie-dyed threads. Each hill tribe has a tradition of embroidery; Chiang Mai and
Chiang Rai are popular handicraft centres.
Theatre & Dance
Traditional Thai theatre consists of dance-dramas, in which stories are acted out by
masked or costumed actors. There is a variety of classical forms, sharing cultural
influences from Chinese operas, stylised Indian dancing and Khmer court perform-
ances. Traditional theatre was reserved for royal or religious events but, with the
modernisation of the monarchy, the once-cloistered art forms have lost their patrons
and gone into decline.
Traditional Thai dance, on the other hand, has survived quite well in the modern
era and is still widely taught in schools and universities. The dances involve precise
and synchronised hand and foot motions that are pieced together to tell a story.
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