About this Place Of Interest

Baan Silapin is a double-storey artists’ house tucked away on the west side of the Chao Phraya River in the province of Thonburi. Open to public in September 2009, the century-old teak house is located along an old canal in Khlong Bang Luang, formerly known as Khlong Bangkok Yai. It is about 10km from Bangkok. It was bought over and restored by a Bangkok-based artist and conservationist known as Chimphoon Akhpantanond and three of his friends with the intention of providing a performance venue for artists [1]. Baan Silapin is easily recognisable from the rest of the wooden galleries and shops due to the strategic placing of a life sized statue of a bald man painted in red just outside the entrance. Currently, the artists’ house features an artists-run café, art gallery and performance space whereby Thai shadow puppet shows and traditional Thai dances are performed on a daily basis. Located nearby the artists’ house is an ancient Buddhist monastery known as Wat Kamphaeng which was established during the early to mid-Ayutthaya Period (1400s to 1600s) [2]. The exterior wall of the ordination hall features a distinctive mural of the Buddha, reminiscent of His images during the Sukhothai kingdom. The image is “framed by detailed floral patterns carved in stone and embedded into the temple walls, a decorative theme that continues throughout the complex” [3].

About this Learning Experience

In this Learning Experience, you will learn how a half-Chinese, half-Thai general established a settlement for his senior officials after the fall of Ayutthaya and how the same ancient settlement has developed into a modern-day artists’ village. This Learning Experience is suitable for learners Year 3 and above. Note: The reflection phase will take place under Point C.

Syllabus Content

• Human geography in relation to: population and urbanisation, economic activity in the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary sectors and the use of natural resources.

Resources Needed

Notebook stationery