Korat 2010 Photo Story

By: Mac Tanat Rojanapiensatith

Table of Contents

• IntroductionDay 1• Pottery Village• Din Pao Pottery FactoryDay 2• Baan Prasat Village• Phi Mai RuinsDay 3• Farm ChokChai

Introduction

Before the trip to Korat, I am getting ready to go on a journey full of knowledge and excitement. Korat is at north-east of Thailand. It takes around 3 hours of bus ride.

Pottery Village

The pottery village was the first place we had visited. The workers have to make many pots for just a little money. It takes 2 whole weeks to complete each pot.

Pottery Village

I did not really know that clay can be made into life sized and fully detailed sculptures.

Din Pao Pottery Factory

The pottery factory must be very important to the people who work there since it is their way of life and way to get money.

Din Pao Pottery Factory LifeThese houses are called Spirit Houses or in Thai, “ ” ศาลพระภู�มิ (SAAN PHRAPOOM).Thai people believe that the spirit house is for hosting the spirits of the people who used to live at the place where they are living right now. It is to show respect. I always thought that it had something to do with the Buddhist religion but it does not really have anything to do with it at all.

Din Pao Pottery FactoryI learned that each day the workers have to mix soft clay in a pit to make a pot so that the clay will blend together and will make it easier to sculpt pots.

Din Pao Pottery Factory

After the clay is shaped, while it is still soft you can carve designs down easily.

Din Pao Pottery Factory

After you carve it, you put it into a special stove to heat the pots. After that, your pot is a complete product.

Baan Prasat Village Nursery

At the nursery I observed that they did not have many toys to play with. That made me learn that we are very fortunate to live in the society that we live in now.

Baan Prasat Village Nursery

I felt good when I made the children laugh at the nursery. I have never been to a place like this before I went to Korat.

Baan Prasat Village Rural LifeI learned that most of things that we see in Korat cannot be found in Bangkok. The food vendors however can be found all over Thailand.

Baan Prasat Village Silk WormsIn the scavenger hunt I learned that silk is made by silk worms that have to be carefully raised and that the silk that we wear is actually the nests of the silk worms which think is a great example of rural life. The weavers depend on the worms to produce silk so they can make a living.

Baan Prasat Village house life

Most houses at Korat is shaped like a traditional Thai house and has a spirit house.

Phi Mai RuinsThe Phi Mai Ruins was created by the Khmer people in the 12th century and is a temple. I learned that each of the animals and angel sculptures at the door or in front of the ruins is believed to have a job of protecting evil things into the shrine.

Phi Mai Ruins SymbolsAt the ruins there are many symbols that each have a different meaning and purpose. For example the doorway that has angels dancing on top represents a gateway to heaven.

Farm ChokChai (Rural Life Transportation) The owner of Farm

ChokChai Mr. Chokchai used these vehicles for transportation and farm life.

Farm Chokchai lifeAt farm Chokchai, they milk cows to sell their diary products at the shop “Umm!.. Milk”.

Farm Chokchai

Farm Chokchai is the biggest private farm in Thailand. They own over 5,000 cattle and 20,000 rai which is the equivalent of 8,000 acres in total.

That is the end of my Korat trip 2010

My trip to Korat has taught me about rural life in Thailand and has given me an experience I would not forget.