Bedazzled in Thailand

[Thai dancer at a temple, their fingers really do bend backward as you often see depicted on Thai statues]

A trip to the heart of southeast Asia lands you smack dab in the kingdom of Thailand; a land ruled by a constitutional monarch, King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty.

Upon your arrival you immediately realize their King is much beloved and revered, with his image just about everywhere you look. This King began his rule at a young age and has reigned for more than half a century, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch.

[At the Kings Palace there are numerous temples and buildings with an extraordinary
amount of gold, jewel encrusted statues and large stone statues,
the architectural details are absolutely amazing]

His reign is marked by numerous milestones; he initiated projects to protect the environment and encourage re-forestation, years before being green was fashionable, his personal intervention and technical knowledge saved the capital from annual flooding and over 2000 of his projects address social, medical and economy issues at village levels throughout the nation. Rightfully so, this King is concerned with the well fare and well being of his country and his people; and in return they honor him daily with their undying devotion.

Buddhism is the dominant religion in Thailand and it has also become a center for learning and knowledge. The Buddha philosophy was founded by a prince who abandoned his legacy to identify with those who were suffering and to pursue Truth and Enlightenment. His formula for alleviating suffering is known as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, sending the message that every being has it within him/herself to attain peace; starting first with the individual and then expanding, to families, communities, even companies and countries.

[Yellow flowers often adorn Buddhas and altars, white elephants in the center of downtown Bangkok,
the typical Sala Thai seen in all the temples and important buildings]

There are three National symbols which are seen virtually everywhere:
1) The Ratchaphruek, a yellow cluster flowering plant, reflects the color of Buddhism and the color of Monday-the day of the kings birth.
2) The elephant, a national animal which is directly related to the livelihood of the Thai people throughout its history. The white elephant is specifically connected to the King because it is a noble beast of special importance, exemplifying the king's honor and glory. A white elephant is a gift fit only for a king and to acquire one during his reign is said to bring prosperity and happiness throughout the kingdom.
3) “Sala Thai” or Thai-style arbor, this type of architecture is said to reflect the knowledge of the Thai people and is immediately recognized as Thai style.

[Vishnu with 4 arms, Garuda-1/2 bird, 1/2 man, Naga, Yak guarding the temple-standing over
2 stories tall and covered in colored jewel tones]

While traveling around Thailand I was struck by the impressive structures, massive amounts of gold and bright colors and the iconography which includes the four-armed figure of Vishnu; the Garuda (half man, half bird); the eight-armed Shiva; elephant-headed Ganesh; the Naga, which appears as a snake, dragon or cobra; and the ghost-banishing giant Yak.

[The entrance and wall, the pagoda, the cemetery-small pagodas are attached by a string
to keep the spirits connected to one another in the after life]

Most Temples have the following elements in common, a Sala or pavilion used for ceremonies, feasts or sermons, a gong tower for making announcements or to wake the monks or begin prayers, and an entrance which is often decorated and brightly colored, surrounding white walls to separate the monks from the lay people. The highest building in the temple is the pagoda or 'chedi' which always takes the form of a lotus which symbolizes enlightenment and is said to represent the different states of life: the base=hell, the middle=humanity, the top=the heavenly state and beyond the top=nirvana. Often there is another building used to enshrine relics of another famous abbot, cemeteries with small pagodas which hold the ashes of famous monks and small lakes or ponds which include fish for feeding, but never for fishing.

There are many different types of temples, found in caves, in forests, on mountains, temples on islands, temples on shores of the river, etc. Each one is built in an influencing style depending on its location, for example, in the north some are built with a Burmese influence, in the northeast, temples are built with a Laotian influence.

[ Thailand has something for everyone to enjoy]

Thailand is a must see destination for the curious and adventurous or anyone in need of a change from the mundane daily scenery you might be accustomed. I left with my senses titillated from the use of color, the architecture, the statues and rich culture. It was both inspiring and motivating for my design sensibilities and I will continue to look through my photographs for inspiration for years to come.

[Two life sized Thai statues purchased in Phukett add an unexpected twist to our homes interior]

From a design perspective I found myself dreaming about how to use the colors of Thailand, hints of gold and the distinctive architectural elements as details to make a space feel exotic, warm and inviting. I can easily envision a modern space with simple lines, warm wood and natural elements to set the stage for dramatic Thai influences which add character and interest......can you imagine it?