Nakhon Ratchasima – Jim Thompson Farm keeps up activities for pleasure of the whole family by inviting Thais to celebrate the long holiday of Thai New Year in traditional Isan style with ‘Songkran Baan Hao Heet Kao Duen Ha’ festival at Jim Thompson Farm in Pak Thong Chai, Nakhon Ratchasima. The festival promises smiles of happiness to be brought by local traditions of the northeastern region, plus a chance to learn local wisdom of Thai people in environmentally-conscious agriculture. This festive activity takes place on April 12-15, 2009 between 9 am and 5 pm.Ajarn Phahonchai Premjai, the landscape architect who designed Jim Thompson Farm, reveals that ‘Songkran Baan Hao Heet Kao Duen Ha’ is now in its second year and visitors will have an opportunity to relish the summer beauty of nature in addition to an experience of Isan art and culture. Now that the farm has recently expanded its plantation area, the site is more scenic than ever with the green field of rice paddy, the 30-rai hemp field in golden color, and an impressive array of vivid flowers blossoming and waiting to welcome everyone. At Jim Thompson Farm, eco-friendliness is a top priority, which explains why natural and bio-degradable materials are the preferred choice as seen in containers like banana-leaf and areca-palm cups used, and not to mention the well-planned utilization of resources for the entire festival period. This is combination of the old-day Thai lifestyle that goes in perfect harmony with nature.
Khun Jariya Meechuen, Farm Manager of the Thai Silk Company Limited, suggests that visitors to the farm during Songkran festival this year can expect to broaden their knowledge about farming concepts that are closely related to the lifestyle of Thai people, including organic vegetables, germinated brown rice (GABA rice), and flowerpots made of paper or farm weeds.
The northeastern-styled Songkran festival at Jim Thompson this year welcomes its visitors with two zones of attractions:
Zone 1 – Life and Nature
Visitors can enjoy the scenic beauty of nature and broaden their knowledge through demonstrations and experiential activities on local wisdom linked to the natural approach to healthcare and environmental conservation, such as making and tasting of mulberry tea, GABA rice, and chlorophyll drink from rice seedlings, etc. The visitors are also encouraged to take part in a range of activities that help curb global warming, including fabric dying with use of organic dyes and making of eco-friendly flowerpots. Make sure you spare time to shop for natural products and fresh farm produce at this zone.
Zone 2 – Isan Cultural Village
Within the expansive 20-rai area of this zone, visitors can feel the rich culture of Isan lifestyle through the showcase of Isan traditions, performances, and recreational activities that embody the truly unique quality of Isan people. The zone is divided into five sections:
1) Sanook Silpa – water-festival fun
Welcomed with a ‘klong yao’ drum performance, visitors get a chance to learn Isan art and culture, history of Songkran celebrations in the Northeast, and old sayings of Isan people shown through paintings by local artisans, whose skills were passed on to them from generation to generation. This road of culture will be full of fun with water throwing in traditional Isan way and made lively by booths decorated with colorful flowers that line both sides of the road.
2) Boon Raksa – Buddha image clensing
Upholding the belief of merit making by cleansing Buddha image, the Isan way of doing so is by pouring water on a ‘naga’ –shaped spout that guides the water down to Buddha pavilion and not directly on Buddha image. Visitors are invited to join ‘bai sri su kwan’ blessing ceremony for good fortune, which is made even more auspicious with chanting and blessing for the visitors by Buddhist monks. As for visiting families that include the elderly, the ‘rod nam dam hua’ ceremonial bathing of them are facilitated here. Don’t forget to build a very own sand castle of yours and take visual and spiritual pleasure in the 50-meter-long painting that depicts all 13 parts of the Vessantara Jataka.
3) Sabai Sot – shows venue
Keep yourself entertained by Isan-styled shows throughout the day. National Isan Artist (2002) Namphueng Muang Surin Troupe will deliver ‘kantruem’ performance in turn with ‘pong lang’ folk music shows by local performers. This house also hosts exhibitions on the history of Jim Thompson, the bond between silk and Thai lifestyle, the lifecycle of silkworms, silk reeling, and silk weaving, etc.
4) Isan Khan Khaeng – livelihood showcase
This part of the village exhibits the hardworking nature of Isan people through demonstration of how they make their living, ranging from basketwork, pot making, mat making, rice husking, to production of household utensils from coconut shells. Kids can enjoy old-day recreation activities and toys of Isan people at the primitive toy park that boasts an impressive collection of toys that are not widely seen anymore today. Adult visitors may opt for a relaxing countryside spa treat or shop for Jim Thompson products, souvenirs, and a wide array of local items.
5) Khuang Muan Suen Hoe Saew – where fun continues
Keep fun going with activities like ‘Girls & Water’, rowing, shooting game, dart, and ‘ramwong’ retro dance, or indulge yourself in a wide selection of delicacies from all parts of Isan region, plus ‘khao chae’ rice in iced water, the signature fare of Thais for Songkran festival.
As an expert in Isan culture, Khun Thongchai Phopaiboon, who is Manager of Farm 2 and the Thai Silk Company’s Mulberry Farm and Egg Production Center, adds: “Jim Thompson is committed to the conservation and promotion of Isan cultural heritage since Jim Thompson silk has its roots in this region. We want to share to tourists the true sense of Isan people and their lifestyles, and how lovely the people and their culture are. This year, we are showcasing unique traditions of Isan, such as how Isan people make merits, how they earn their livelihood, as well as their summer recreations. All the activities reflect Isan way of thinking that is closely related to Buddhism and exhibit the generosity, hardworking quality, and merry nature of Isan people.”
“Besides an experience of the simple livelihood and charming culture of Isan people,” Khun Thongchai continues, “visitors to Jim Thompson Farm during the ‘Songkran Baan Hao Heet Kao Duen Ha’ festival this year will have a glimpse of how close the ties are between Jim Thompson Farm and local communities in Pak Thong Chai district and Isan region. It is our commitment to promote career development, create jobs, and generate income to the local communities.”
Share the happiness and paint smiles on the face of your family members and local farmers during Songkran holiday at Jim Thompson Farm in Tambon Takob, Amphoe Pak Thong Chai, Nakhon Ratchasima Province between April 12 and 15, 2009. The farm is open to visitors from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. Admission is Bt50 for adults and Bt30 for kids. For more information, please call 0-2762-2566, 085-660-7336, email farmtour@jimthompson.com, or visit www.jimthompsonfarm.com.
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