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Nakhon Si Thammarat Southern Thailand |
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| Nakhon Si Thammarat is a province that has much significance in Buddhist history. History records that the first arrival of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand took place there. The city was settled in the same period of the founding of the Sukhothai Empire (around 700 years ago). After that, Buddhism became the main religion of Thailand until present-day and remains a significant part of the Thai way of life. |
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| I had a conversation with a team of Thai artists from the south of Thailand. Currently they are working in Nakhon Si Thammarat province and their works are mainly decorations, murals and sculpture for old and new temples in the southern and central regions of Thailand. This group of energetic artists have broad experience in stucco decoration, sculpting statues and mural painting. Their site allows them to work up in the hills, the place which scientists reported has "The best ozone in Thailand." |
Khun Komol Damneonphol : Project Manager
( Stucco & Paintings )
คุณ โกมล ดำเนินผล
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| In the south of Thailand most artists graduated from art colleges and universities. Khun Komol Damnoenphol, the project leader, also graduated from an art school in Nakorn Si Thammarat province. These art institutions encourage students to study and appreciate Buddhism including legends from literature about Buddhism. They also learn about the life of the Buddha before he achieved enlightenment. Nakorn Sri Thammarat is the province in Thailand that Buddhism appeared for the first time and was the hometown of a famous poet, Sriprach. This province is capable of sending out artists with outstanding sculpting and painting skills to work anywhere in Thailand. The role-model artist who was the inspiration for all art students was Professor Silp Bhirasri from Silpakorn University. |
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| In the south of Thailand artists have a different concept. We focus only on traditional ideas and are very conservative about what to draw in the mural paintings. Everything is an agreement between the head monks who design the overall projects and the artists who have to make them possible according to the requirements. Actually artists can propose their own interesting and creative ideas but everything has to be based on the stories of Buddha's life. Therefore, some new changes cannot be done because we have to maintain the value of traditional art and we hope to preserve Buddhism to reach the goal of 5,000 years. |
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| Most temples in the south of Thailand are built in traditional style and with familiar art concepts. As for the issue of styles, I believe it depends on the decisions of the employer or project owner. Both traditional and creative styles |
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| Working as a team is my absolute happiness because our work finishes on time and completes all of its goals. We separate our team to work in many provinces but everyone has the same goal and the same faith. |
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| Buddhists who understand the importance of building temples. This commitment is essential for Buddhism in the long run. In addition, this also affords the distribution of income to many poor villagers and artists. The result is land development to build more roads and infrastructure to connect with the temples. Overall wellbeing of the villagers will improve more than ever. New local artisans and artists are properly trained and hired to help finish the project faster. More importantly, some of the money from each temple also supports local schools, hospitals and funeral events. |
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| We have to scrutinize the donation money and try to donate money to good people who have good hearts and truly want to build temples to preserve Buddhism. |
สนใจงานปั้นและจิครกรรมฝาผนังของศิลปินชาวใต้
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คุณโกมล ดำเนินผล 084-4435334
