Grand tributes for the Queen

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Grand tributes for the Queen

By THE NATION

 

 

Among birthday celebrations planned for Her Majesty, Queen Sirikit Park and Central are hosting huge events

BANGKOK RESIDENTS can participate in an array of activities in coming days to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s 85th birthday on August 12.

 

Queen Sirikit Park will be the setting for the “Colours of Nature” exhibition (“Season Pan Mai Therd Thai Boromrajininart”) from August 9 through 14.

 

The Her Majesty Queen Sirikit Park Foundation and 26 organisations that have developed projects in response to the Queen’s initiatives in nature conservation will be mounting displays about the work she’s inspired. 

 

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside at the exhibition’s opening on August 11 at 4pm.

 

Miss Universe Thailand 2016 Chalita “Namtan” Suansane gave a glimpse of what’s in store at a press conference promoting the event. She carried a handbag made with yok mook, a textile developed at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives’ Queen Sirikit Department of Sericulture. 

 

Actor Denkhun Ngamnet was also there to present highlights of like-minded Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment projects. 

As well as fabrics made of silk and lotus fibre, visitors will be able to see the first strain of salt-tolerant rice created in Thailand, processed goods originating in community-nurtured forests, and farm products from Ang Thong.

 

You can buy a key chain sculpted from a branch of a tamarind tree and admire nine “royal copper pod plants” conceived at Kasetsart University.

 

Khunying Pranee Euarchukiati of the park foundation said the exhibition has as its theme “The River of Her Majesty’s Generosity”. She pointed out that the Queen, hailed internationally for fostering environmental care, has become known as “the Mother of Biodiversity Protection”. 

 

 

The exhibition will also cover the Royal Project in Mae Hong Son, the Support Foundation and other efforts by Their Majesties the Queen and the late King, including his directives in sustainable farming. 

 

Also planned is a demonstration by representatives of a Youth Forest Conservation Camp in honour of Princess Sirindhorn and a spot of birdwatching with the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand.

 

Thai fighting fish will compete for bragging rights, nourishing items made with goat’s milk will be sold, and a Mini Or Tor Kor Market and Mini Kaset Fair will be filled with interesting products and souvenirs. 

 

The foundation’s Dr Weerachai Nanakorn described another intriguing part of the show – 10 species of locally cultivated plants will compete for a trophy from the Queen. They’ll be judged on individual characteristics as well as their suitability in landscaping, he said.

 

“There’ll be four separate gardens of orchids, crowns of thorns, crotons and flamingo flowers, and 10 kids of plants – caladium, crown of thorns, snake plant, aglaonema, croton, adenium, dragon plant, cordyline, flamingo flower and bonsai.

 

“The winner in each category will get trophies from Her Majesty and His Excellency [Privy Councillor] Prem Tinsulanonda, president of the foundation.”

 

Meanwhile at Central Chidlom and Central Embassy today through August 16, Central Group and Support (the Queen’s Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques) are again highlighting hilltribe handicrafts. 

 

The exhibition “Crafts from the Hands of the Hills to the Hands of the Queen: 70 Years, Framed Reflections” has been mounted once again. 

 

 

The show is designed to showcase Their Majesties’ devotion to the public’s wellbeing. A stunning array of exquisite arts and crafts illustrates Their Majesties’ travels and kindness. 

 

Central Childlom’s Event Hall has four zones including “Seven Decades under Their Majesties’ Kindness: Contemporary Portraits of the King of Heaven and Queen of Dreams” and “70 Years in Frames”. 

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul noted admiringly how Their Majesties “worked tirelessly for seven decades and visited people nationwide, even in the highest mountains”. 

 

“When Their Majesties visited an opium-growing hilltribe and saw their traditional practice of shifting cultivation, they had an idea to transform their way of life. They gave them advice and assistance in planting cool-climate fruits and flowers and taught them arts and crafts so they could earn a sufficient income and lead a sustainable life,” Kobkarn said.

 

“Today the hill tribe people live happily without harming the environment, thanks to Their Majesties’ kindness. They also play an important role in carrying on the traditions of Thai arts and crafts.”

 

“Record of Our Father”, made with hilltribe textiles and embroidered silk, reflects His Majesty’s extensive efforts. 

Techniques devised by the Support Foundation’s Nuntapong Sinsawas are examined and more than 40 pieces of art by hilltribe people are displayed. 

 

“It’s an honour as a designer and artist to illustrate the beauty of hilltribe crafts in royal projects through this exhibition,” said Nuntapong, a lecturer for Support’s Art Templates for Fabric Embroidery Division.

 

“Every piece of art was made by Support members determined to show the beauty of hilltribe arts and crafts to the public using textiles. Their Majesties provided the guiding light to help them make a living and conserve their art forms for future generations.”

 

The Queen’s work desk, taken along with her on her upcountry treks, will be on display, as will her written notes expressing her deep care for the people.

 

Traditional costumes of the six major hilltribes can be admired (and even posed in), and arts and crafts will be sold with proceeds going to the Support Foundation. 

 

Along the skywalk to Central Embassy, strollers can view hilltribe children’s artwork expressing their gratitude to Their Majesties and how they follow their guidance. 

 

More goods will be sold for the Support Foundation in both the Balcony at Central Embassy today through August 16 and in the ThaiThai zone at Central Chidlom from August 10 to 13.

 

On the ground floor of Central Embassy, the exhibition “Diaries of Giving” will further explore Their Majesties’ contributions to the wellbeing of the hilltribes, as portrayed through a large camera that belonged to the King and by hilltribe crafts.

 

  SHARE IN THE BLESSING

- There is no admission charge at either exhibition. 

- Find out more about the Queen Sirikit Park events at www.Facebook.com/H.M.QueenSirikitPark.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/event/30322582

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-08-03