Thai Puppet

Thai Puppet performing by "Joe Louis Puppet Theater"

Feature & Background

The puppet comprises 5 main parts ie. head, body, hands, feet and costume with decoration. Head, hands and feet are simulated the human's organs emulated the realistic motion naturally. Minimum 3 controller men are needed to control 1 puppet. While the puppet is dancing, all controller men have to dance synchronously as the same person. They have to express the emotion through their dancing and the puppet in concurrent harmony.

New Home at Asia Antique, Charoen Krung Road, Bangkok

Joe Louis Puppet Theater's new home, Asia Antique is under construction and expected to be completed early next year.

For more information, please contact :

Joe Louis Puppet Theater Company Limited 301, Moo 3, Tambon Bangrakputtana,  Bang Bua Thong district, Nonthaburi, 11110, Thailand
Tel. 02 571 4968, 02 571 4969, Fax. 02 571 1855
email: info@joelouistheatre.com
web site : http://www.joelouistheatre.com
facebook : หุ่นละครเล็ก โจหลุยส์ Fan Page

Khon

Show at National Theater on August 29, 2010

Feature & brief history

"Khon", the high class of Thai art is a kind of dancing with graceful tenderness and exquisite elegance. "Khon" has a long history since the Ayutthaya period. In the record of La Rou Bear, the Ambassador of France in the reign of King Narai the Great of Siam (A.D.1656-1688), it said that "Khon" performance was dancing with the sound of twang and instruments. The actors mask to hide their faces and carry weapons. "Khon" is various integration of arts and science ie. literature, dancing art, music art and craftsmanship. The feature of playing and dressing is taken from "ชักนาคดึกดำบรรพ์" (One kind of Thai ancient game). The excitingly sensational action of struggle and dance is applied from the first gesture of dancing of the teachers salute feature from "กระบี่กระบอง" (Clubs or other weapons, Contest with swords) including the arts of dub, conversation and music & song used for the show.

The main characteristics of "Khon"

The main characteristics of the show is masking of the actors called "สวมหัวโขน" (swm-haw-khon). "หัวโขน" (haw-khon) is the mask covering from head to neck. Two holes on mask are drilled for eyes seeing. The emotion is expressed through the dancing. Each dancing gesture and the mask are created differently upon the role of each character ie. the giant, the monkey, the angels, etc. The masks are decorated with colors, lacquer & plate (ลงรักปิดทอง) and decorative glass called  "หน้าโขน" (nar-khon).

Literature for "Khon"

Similar to the drama, Khon's story is played sorting in chronological order. The popular literature to play "Khon" is "รามเกียรติ์" (Ramayana), the story of battle between the giant and the human with the help of the monkey volunteering for troops of the man.

Thai Silk

According to understanding, Silk fabric is made from Bombyx mori's cocoons. Bombyx mori  called silkworm eats plenty of mulberry leaves before reform to caterpillar on a steady diet. 

Why is Thai silk popular?

Generally, fabric made ​​of silk is soft light, not heat and slippery smooth. Nevertheless, Thai silk has the special properties differing from others. The texture of Thai silk is glossily sequins, naturally spongy, soft and weighty. It is also weaved with exquisite Thai painting in various pattern; therefore, Thai silk is very popular and needed in the global market.

How to identify authentic Thai silk?

However, there are some people make the artificial Thai silk by using other silk or other thread marketed in the brand of Thai silk. To identify genuine Thai silk, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand designates "peacock" symbol for Agriculture Ministry of Thailand use in order to authenticate Thai silk and prevent the imitation.

Thai silk quality guarantee

"Peacock" symbol is used for Thai silk quality guarantee. The symbol is categorized into 4 types by production process as follows :

1. Gold peacock (Royal Thai Silk)    A traditional hand-made Thai silk. All materials and production are processed by Thai folk wisdom. The threads are created from native Thai silkworm.
2. Silver peacock (Classic Thai Silk)    The production is processed by Thai folk wisdom and application tools. The threads are created from improved breed of Thai silkworm. 
3. Blue peacock  (Thai Silk)    Thai folk wisdom is applied with the technology in the production process to modernize and support commercial purpose. All threads are authentic Thai silk dyed by natural material or non-poisonous environmental chemical. 
4. Green peacock (Thai Silk Blend)    Thai silk is blended with other fabrics as the customer purpose. The mixing proportion must be labeled clearly.

The first Thai silk shop

At present, there are many shop where you can find good Thai silk. By the way, the first Thai silk shop is "Jim Thompson", established in 1948 by Mr. James Harrison Wilson Thompson, american man who initialized trading system for Thai silk production successfully.

Jim Thompson House Museum

Jim Thompson's house now becomes the museum, you can visit the house at the address below :

Address

Jim Thompson House
6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: (662) 216-7368 Fax: (662) 612-3744

The Jim Thompson House is located on Soi Kasemsan (2) Song, opposite the National Stadium on Rama I Road

Reference site : Jim Thompson House, Wikipedia : Thai silk (Thai, English), Jim Thompson

Image : Wikipedia : Thai silk, Jim Thompson

Vimanmek Mansion

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Visiting Vimanmek Mansion makes me be so impressed. 

All around the royal house are very beautiful. 

How to reach Vimanmek Mansion

Starting from Victory Monument by getting on bus no.18, 28, 108 or air-conditioned bus no. 515, 539, 542. The admission fee 100 Baht.

Guide told me that Vimanmek Mansion has been the world's largest golden teakwood mansion built in the reign of King Rama 5.

Elegant royal house in the lush garden is pleasing for my sightseeing. In the mansion, there are many antique utensils of the king and the royal family. All them are quaint and rare.

Because of the royal court, photo isn't allowed inside the building. So, I took the photos outdoor instead.

Inside the building, There are the windows around the balcony. The outside through the windows is more beautiful.

Especially, Reurn Thai (Thai style's house) behind Vimanmek Mansion is very beautiful. Its stunning makes me out the world. (I really feel. Not over.) Unfortunately, I can't take the photo inside the building .I'd like other to see it.

There are the several groups of tourist. so, it's not easy to avoid people and find out the open space.

There are Chitralada shop, beverage and ice-cream shop near the royal house for shopping service. 

This photo is Chitralada shop and beverage shop when viewed from Vimanmek Mansion.

In front of Chitralada shop.
There are many goods eg. clothing, hat, bag and etc.







Because of many photos, other interesting royal houses around Vimanmek Mansion will be mentioned in page 2, 3 and 4 to prevent slow loading.

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Anantasamakom Thron Hall

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I walk out Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall and turn right to reach Anantasamakom Thron Hall. Inside of Anantasamakom Thron Hall is very beautiful. I'd like you to visit to see such the beauty by yourself. I can't take the photo inside the building for you because of the royal court. So, I take outdoor photos for you instead.

I take more photos, but car parked around the palace area makes me have discomfort eyes. So, many photos are skipped.

Photographed while I was walking out of Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall area.

From my learning, the building is European architecture made of marble from Italy. I try to come close to see marble tracery.

Unfortunately, the area of palace is currently under construction. The Thron Hall is elegantly magnificent as picturesque, but I can photograph only half of building because the fence construction is overlay the another haft. Although only haft, Thron Hall is still elegant.

Way into the palace. We can walk through to the other side of the Thron Hall.

There are coffee shop and souvenir shop near the palace for tourism service.

The garden around the palace.

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Koh Kret, Nonthaburi

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I went to Koh Kret, Nonthaburi (Kret Island) on last weekend. I not only found the craft pottery but also visited the antique temples and had various delicious foods. I had a fun, gained the knowledge and enjoyed eating in one trip.
On the above photo, The short bell-shaped chedi as Mu Tao relics design built by Mon people in the Ayutthaya period more than 200 years ago. This Mu Tao chedi can be considered as the symbol of Kho Kret.

 

Travel easily by getting on the bus no. 104, 52 or 166. Get off at Pak Kret waterside (Thana Pak Kret). Then, go to Sanam Nuea temple (Wat Sanam Nuea) by walking into the alley adjacent to the Lotus. Or, get on Three-wheeler at the entrance to alley. (above right photo). At Wat Sanam Nuea, get on the boat to Koh Kret. The boat fee is 2 baht. On above left photo, Mu Tao chedi is viewed from the boat.

A dog also gets on the boat.  

Paramaiyikawatworawihan Temple (Wat Paramaiyikawat)

Then, we ashore at Wat Paramaiyikawat, Koh Kret. The original name of Wat Paramaiyikawat is "Wat Pak Aow". It has been ancient temple of Mon people since 200 years ago.

Maha Raman Chedi in Wat Paramaiyikawat. King Rama 5 came to contain the relics at Maha Raman Chedi.

In the church of Wat Paramaiyikawat, there are murals in the reign of King Rama 5 period.

One of the murals

"Thai Nitasns Hall Pottery, King Rama 5 the museum" in Wat Paramaiyikawat is opened everyday. On Monday - Friday open 1.00 P.M. - 4.00 P.M. On Saturday - Sunday open 9.00 A.M. - 5.00 P.M. 

Principle Buddha image in Wat Paramaiyikawat.

The giant guards the church door like Thai temple concept.

Scenery around Wat Paramaiyikawat area.

 

Wat Paramaiyikawat, there are also pottery shops, food shops, dessert shops and etc.

 

 A pig lives in Wat Paramaiyikawat.

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Koh Kret (Handicrafts, goods & foods)

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From Wat Paramaiyikawat, we can go around the island by turning left or turning right out of temple. To walk or ride a bike. Up to you. There are bicycles for rent. I ride all day at 40 baht. If you choose to walk, distance may be a long way.

Along the way, there are various shops eg. handicraft pottery shops.

Decoration accessories and the dolls have a wide selection.

The foods here.

One of local food, Raman "rice in ice water" has to be tasted.

Isan Grilled sausage.

Fried fish patty with Alpinia nigra (Alpinia nigra is local food of Mon people).

Kanom Dok Jok, traditional Thai dessert.

Snakeskin gourami and the big fish eggs.

Traditional ice-cream at only 3 baht.

 Portrait shop.

 Spa's also here.

This spa is Thai Massage career support center of Koh Kret located nearby Wat Soa Tong Thong.

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