A Showcase of Thai Life


    Each period in the past indicates the origin of the human race and the success or failure of mankind. History, therefore, must be included in all educational programs so that young people can study past events and take pride in their own heritage.


    Rice culture in Thai society

    Realizing the importance of history in encouraging the younger generations to preserve the country's cultural heritage, the office of the National Culture Commission has come up with the "Thai Life Exhibition Hall", a permanent exhibition on Thai people, on the second floor of the Exhibition of the Thailand Cultural Center.
    The idea of establishing the Thai Life Exhibition Hall first came up five years ago with the suggestion that a permanent exhibition be organized using new technology. Light and sound system would be implemented and full information on the exhibits would be given. The project, however, saw little progress because of lack of money.

    Exhibition Hall for pre-historic age

    When Dr. Rung Kaewdang took over as the Commission's secretary-general, he revived the project and clearly established its objectives, namely, to provide additional materials for teaching and learning at all levels, and to encourage visitors to be aware of Thailand as a country which has maintained its independence through various periods in history.
    The exhibition is divided into five headings: History of the Thai People, Rice Culture in Thai Society, Thai Language and Literature, Thailand and the World, and Heroic Achievements of the Thais and Major Historical Events.
    The exhibition on History of the Thai People is now open to students as well as the general public. It is the first the visitor will see as he enters the Thai Life Exhibition Hall, as a computerized, nine-screen video wall systems starts working as soon as visitors come in.
    The exhibits under the heading of History of the Thai People are divided into four areas. One is on the history of the Thai culture, important archeological sites in Thailand, world civilization and the origin of the Thais. The presentation is made by a computerized slide multi-vision.
    The second area shows settlement in Thailand without indicating where the Thai people came from according to various theories. lnstead, it gives emphasis on reltions among the different cultures, especially where languages and religions are concerned. This area is presented in the form of a puppet show and miniature replicas of the cave paintings at Khao Pla Ra in Uthai Thai and of Khu Bua in Ratchaburi. Also on show are aerial photographs of ancient sites in four regions of Thailand and a slide multi-vision showing traces of past events.
    The third area involves social intercourse and adoption of outside civilization. It focuses on Indian and Chinese trading influences on an electric board showing an ancient map. A five-minute video tape on the subject is also shown to visitors.
    The fourth area features development of various states into one Thai Kingdom. Computerized system is used to depict four Thai kingdoms in four regions, namely, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Thon Buri and Rattanakosin. More than 36 pictures are on show, in addition to multi-vision presentation on the four ancient Thai kingdoms.
    The Thai Life Exhibition Hall is regarded as a valuable source of education, presented in modern style so that visitors will nerver get bored. For this reason, the contents of the exhibition and the forms of presentation are given equal importance.
    The Thai Life Exhibition Hall is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily except Sunday and Monday. Large groups can make reservations at the Thai Life Exhibition Hall Section, Office of the National Culture Commission, Ratchadapisak Road, Bangkok 10310, Telephone 247-0028, Fax 245-7747.

    Decrorative items influenced from India and China

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  • A Showcase of Thai Life, Story by Arin, KINNAREE Magazine, August 1993,
    Thai Airways International, P. 91-95.
  • Information : Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tel. (02) 694-1222, E-mail : tat@cs.ait.ac.th