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Study Trip Announcement – Thailand’s Diverse Heritage: A Melting Pot Culture

28 August 2024
Member news | Member updates | SEACHA

Saturday, 9 to Thursday, 14 November 2024

with Mr. Jim Stent
Council Member of The Siam Society and Advisor to SEACHA

As a crossroad of mainland Southeast Asia, Thailand has absorbed peoples from all over Asia and Europe over the centuries. These various immigrant groups have shaped Thai culture, each contributing in its own way. The language, cuisine, architecture, urban design, and belief systems of Thailand reflect these disparate influences.  Varied cultural strands make up the rich fabric of Thailand’s “melting pot” culture: Mon, Lao, Persian, Indian, Chinese, Tai and European. Language, cuisine, ancient archaeological sites, religious buildings, and historical districts with vernacular architecture illustrate the different cultural influences that have shaped the Thailand of today. These sites span the length of Thai history from the mysterious Dvaravati period, through the Ayutthaya kingdom, to the present Rattanakosin period.

Conducted by The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage for the Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance (SEACHA), this trip programme is designed to introduce Thai culture in a way that the average tourist would find less accessible. Consistent with the mission of SEACHA, at several of the sites visited, experts will discuss the conservation issues faced in preserving the authenticity of the sites, pointing out both successes and failures. Part of the proceeds from this trip will be allocated to support SEACHA’s ongoing efforts to promote cultural heritage preservation and sustainable cultural practices across Southeast Asia.

This 4-day, 5-night trip programme will take us to see Old Bangkok through the eyes of Thailand’s leading experts on art history and architecture, to tour the temples of Ayutthaya with the World Monuments Fund, to learn of Phetchaburi’s fine woodcarvings, and to witness the long-standing religious diversity in the Kudi Chin neighbourhood. Meals have been planned to present a range of Thai, Chinese, and Lao flavours that make up Thailand’s culinary heritage.

Organisation Background

The Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance (SEACHA) SEACHA is a network of ASEAN civil society organisations working together to promote cultural heritage preservation and sustainable cultural practices.

The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage is a Thai cultural non-profit organisation that promotes the study and knowledge-sharing of cultures, history, arts, and heritage conservation of Thailand and its neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia. The Society’s activities are guided by its motto: “Knowledge Gives Rise to Friendship”.

Under the leadership of Mr Jim Stent, Council Member of The Siam Society and Advisor to SEACHA, the trip will take place from Saturday, 9 November to Thursday, 14 November 2024.
Booking:

Contribution of THB 36,000, with the option of a single room surcharge for THB 10,800. Should you choose to arrange your own accommodation the contribution will be THB 26,000. Please be informed that the contribution should be made to the SEACHA account, kindly follow the following payment instructions: Please pay by cash or cheque payable to “Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance”. Transfer or remittance can be made to the Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance account at TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), saving account no. 909-2-19074-4. SWIFT Code TMBKTHBK. Kindly note that the foreign bank charges or bank remittance fees should be paid by the Applicant/Sender, the payment should be in full amount with “Thai Baht” only. Your reservation will be confirmed as soon as the payment has been made and for those who reserve your seat in advance, we kindly request you to make a payment 45 days before the start of the trip (i.e. by Monday, 23 September 2024). Once payment has been made, please send the deposit or transfer docket to [email protected].

For further information and bookings, please contact Khun Thun at 02-661-6470-3 ext 205, or [email protected]. The Society’s office is open from 09:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday.

See Full Itinerary Here