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Nurturing Sustainable Change
An extract from Nurturing Sustainable Change
Changing Lives, Changing Communities
Social Enterprise in Thailand
Royal Initiative in the Global Context
23rd “Kid Tueng Somdet Ya” exhibition pays tribute to the Princess Mother to mark 120 years of her birth, and 25 years of her passing
On the occasion of the birthday anniversary of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother, on 21 October, Siam Piwat Public Company Limited, invited the public to pay tribute to Her Royal Highness’s dedication to the Thai people through the 23rd “Kid Tueng Somdet Ya” Exhibition under the theme “In Her Thoughts” from 21-25 October 2020 at the Lifestyle Hall, 2nd floor, Siam Paragon Shopping Center. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the opening ceremony on 23 October 2020 at 9am.
Thanpuying Putrie Viravaidya, Secretary-General of Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage, explained, “The ‘Kid Tueng Somdet Ya’ exhibition was first held in 1996, and has been held annually since then to convey gratitude to the Princess Mother for her contributions towards the well-being of the Thai people. Her Royal Highness was a role model in every lifestyle aspect, carrying out her work throughout her lifetime. This year. the 23rd consecutive year of the exhibition, also marks the 120th anniversary or 10th cycle of her birth, as well as the 25th anniversary of her passing. The exhibition has therefore been designed under the theme ‘In Her Thoughts’ to reflect her life and achievements that were influenced by those close to her, the society around her, as well as thinkers, philosophers and academic texts, all of which helped to formulate her life skills as well as her emotional and social quotients throughout her life. The highlight of the exhibition was the reproduction of her lecture notes personally handwritten in French by the Princess Mother, the first time it has been displayed in public.”
The exhibition was presented in the form of a timeline, starting from her birth up to her death, as well as her visions that have been carried on by various foundations or organizations up to the present.
Part 1: 1900-1917 showed her childhood, education, growth in a small community near Wat Anongkharam, joining the court of Princess Valaya Alongkorn, becoming a nursing student at the Siriraj School of Pediatrics and Nursing, and winning a scholarship to study nursing in the US.
Part 2: 1917-1923 showed her life as a scholarship student overseas that allowed her to experience new things, learn new technology, arts and culture, as well as language skills. The turning point in her life was meeting, and eventually marrying, Prince Mahidol, and starting the Mahidol family.
Part 3: 1924-1932 Not long after the princess settled into family life, tragedy struck with the death of Prince Mahidol. Despite having to bring up her children amidst social and national changes, the Princess Mother managed to raise the young royals in a happy and healthy environment at Srapathum Palace.
Part 4: 1933-1971 was the time the Princess Mother had to care for her children while they were studying overseas. At the same time, she expanded her own education, studying philosophy, Sanskrit and Pali seriously, all of which were presented through the reproduction of her lecture notes and text books.
Part 5: 1972-1995 Apart from the Princess’s royal activities carried out for the people, she spent her leisure time on her favorite hobbies, believing that “Time is Precious”. These hobbies included sculpture, embroidery, pressed flowers and ceramic painting. Her interest in astronomy led her to decorate the ceiling of Doi Tung Royal Villa with a chart of the solar system and the various constellations, all of which have also been replicated for this exhibition. The Princess remained respected and beloved by the Thai people until her final days.
Part 6: 1996-present The Princess’s vision continues to be carried out by various organizations even till today, including Mae Fah Luang Foundation and Doi Tung Development Project. This includes addressing issues of poverty, improving the economic environment and quality of life of the people.
The 23rd “Kid Tueng Somdet Ya” Exhibition under the theme “In Her Thoughts” presented the compassionate activities of the Princess Mother, as well as her life and achievements. The exhibition also offered products from Doi Tung Café and DoiTung Lifestyle, as well as decorative plants. The event was held from 21-25 October 2020 at the Lifestyle Hall, 2nd floor, Siam Paragon Shopping Center. For further information, call: 02-610-8000 or check Facebook: SiamParagon.
Mae Fah Luang Foundation pays tribute to the Princess Mother with a floral homage to mark 25 years of her passing
To mark the 25th anniversary of the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother, Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage, in conjunction with Chiang Rai Province, held a merit-making ceremony and floral homage – the highest form of showing respect in the Lanna tradition. The event was attended by directors of Mae Fah Luang Foundation and the Governor of Chiang Rai Province who led representatives of various government units, the business sector and the general public to pay homage to the Princess Mother. All COVID-19 precautionary measures were put into place according to official government regulations. The event took place at the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park, Amphoe Meuang, Chiang Rai Province, on Saturday 18 July 2020.
The event began with a merit-making ceremony at Sala Kaew Pavilion within the grounds of Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park. Mae Fah Luang Foundation directors and management, led by Capt Jitas Sornsongkram and ML Dispanadda Diskul, and Chiang Rai Governor Prachon Pratsakul, then headed a procession of government officials and general public to present traditional Lanna floral tributes on the lawn in front of the bronze statue of the Princess Mother.
ML Dispanadda Diskul, CEO of Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage, remarked that although the Princess Mother passed away over 25 years ago, Her Royal Highness’s words were still relevant and applicable to life in the modern day and age, particularly during current times which require huge adjustments towards the New Normal as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, so life can continue under the changing conditions.
“The current situation with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected life all over the world, with no one truly prepared. All of a sudden, everyone has had to adapt. Mae Fah Luang Foundation has also had to adapt to the New Normal, and prepare for a recurring storm. Although Mae Fah Luang Foundation has adjusted its operations to cope with the current situation, we are still focused on the royal initiatives and vision of the Princess Mother as a compass to direct us in our development and social enterprise work as before.
“For almost 50 years, Mae Fah Luang Foundation has concentrated on developing and improving the quality of life of various communities in locations both in Thailand and overseas. We have continued to promote the royal initiatives of the Princess Mother as a principle for a simple lifestyle that benefits oneself and also society.
“The year 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother. The younger generation of Thai people aged under 30 might not be able to remember the Princess Mother or what she did. Some people might have heard her words, or heard about her simple lifestyle. But everything is based on tangible facts that are useful and contemporary. One such quote by the Princess Mother that fits with the current global situation where things have totally changed is, ‘Everyone has to adapt. If you can adapt, then you won’t have a problem. I myself have had to adapt, too.’ This is a principle that can be applied to our present situation.”
Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother, was the mother of two kings – His Majesty King Ananda Mahidol, Rama VIII, and His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, Rama IX, and also the grandmother of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun.
Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage was established by Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother, who dedicated herself to improving the lives and well-being of the people in rural areas, especially the ethnic minorities in remote areas of the country. Her Royal Highness was aware of their suffering, their lack of opportunities in life, and the illnesses that affected people in remote areas. Every time that she visited the villagers, she would always be accompanied by medical personnel to provide treatment for the sick. She distributed clothing, food and other necessities, as well as toys for children. In the eyes of the hill tribe villagers, the Princess Mother was like an angel who descended from the sky to relieve their suffering. That’s why they gave her the name “Mae Fah Luang”, in a show of great love and respect from the hearts of all the hill tribe people.
The Princess Mother continued working throughout her life to improve the well-being of the impoverished communities and ethnic minorities so they could have a better way of life until she passed away on 18 July 1995 at the age of 95.
Art and Craft Market offers fun as well as traditional and contemporary Lanna craftsmanship in line with the vision of the Princess Mother
In its mission to carry out the vision of “cultivating people” of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother, Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage opened the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park, the center of centuries old Lanna art and culture, as the venue for and Art and Craft Market. This market aimed to draw those who enjoy all facets of Lanna arts and crafts, with stalls offering handicrafts and art-related activities presented by students of various educational institutes and communities on Doi Tung. Apart from arts and craft products, there were also a variety of local delicacies to complete the picture of Lanna art and culture. The event aimed to encourage community participation and create value added to folk culture all the way to national treasures. The Art and Craft Market took place from Friday 7 February to Sunday 9 February 2020, from 4-9pm at the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park, Chiang Rai Province.
Khunying Puangroi Diskul na Ayudhya, director of Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage, presided at the opening of the event, which was attended by several renowned local art celebrities such as National Artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, Doi Din Daeng’s ceramic artist Somlak Pantibun, and Assoc Prof Dr Chaiyosh Isavorapant of Silpakorn University. They participated in a seminar under the title “Perspectives on Realizing the Potential of Chiang Rai as an Art City”, aimed at motivating the younger generation to perpetuate their artistic and cultural heritage, and reminding local people that
“The myriad that the Princess Mother carried out for them, especially related to forests, people, vocations, and the conservation of local arts and crafts, should continue to be realized by everyone without losing heart. If we all do our part, Chiang Rai can definitely become an art city”
Also present were members of the local government and business community including Chiang Rai deputy governor Phasadate Hongladarom, Phayao mayor Chulasinee Rojanakulkumjorn, and management of Mae Fah Luang Foundation. The opening ceremony featured a Puja Drum Dance, a Lanna floral dance parade and other colorful performances by well known artists, ethnic hill tribe villagers from Ban Khayang Pattana, Ban Huai Nam Khun, Ban Cha Lo, Ban Pa Sang Na Ngern, as well as young performers from local educational institutes such as Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, Chiang Rai Vocational College, Mae Fah Luang University and Suksa Songkro Mae Chan School. Performances included Lua Rerng Phrai [Lua Jungle Joy], folk songs, Himavanta Ranchuan [Yearning for Himavanta] and Wai Sa Mae Fah Luang. There were demonstration workshops such as ceramic sculpting and painting, key chain roping, tray garden design, bag making by Doi Tung Development Project, silverware workshops, carving and Lanna craft workshops, a visual arts exhibition by students of Chiang Rai educational institutes, as well as ethnic food stalls with a variety of delicious menus such as Spicy Ma La, Mee Krob Song Khreung with a touch of som sa for a refreshing tang and avocado juice, to name but a few.
There were also various activities reflecting both traditional and contemporary Lanna arts and culture, as well as an exhibition on “Somdet Ya” the Princess Mother, founder of the Thai Hill Crafts Foundation under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra the Princess Mother, which is now known as Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage. Her Royal Highness also established the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park where old wooden Lanna artifacts are collected and housed to safeguard them for future generations. A number of these artifacts were also put on display for visitors to enjoy and photograph. They included:
Puja Drum – an ancient drum used to signal an enemy attack during times of war, to signal victory, as well as to call attention to a news announcements, as well as a musical instrument for entertainment purposes.
Tung Kradang – Tung is a Lanna word for banner. Tung are used in Buddhist ceremonies, both auspicious and otherwise, and come in various shapes, sizes and materials depending on beliefs and rituals as well as local preferences. Tung Kradang is made from durable material such as carved wood, stucco or metal, so they have a long lifespan.
Sattaphan – This is a candlestick for paying homage to the Triple Gems in the prayer hall or the vihara (meditation hall) in the Lanna Kingdom. The name, Sattaphan, is derived from the Sattapariphan mountain range that surrounds the mythical Mount Sumeru. It is made of carved wood in a triangular gable shape or semi circle on a low table. It has seven columns on which candles are placed, representing the seven mountains surrounding Mount Sumeru. It is truly a traditional artifact that reflects the culture and faith of the Lanna Kingdom.
