Carvers ~ Thailand travel pictures

Thailand Canal boat Delivers flowers and plants

From Bangkok, I took a day trip to the Floating Market, which includes a few stops along the way to see various artisans stalls and factories.

The full-day tours stop for lunch at a large park complex called the Rose Garden, before goint on to an Ethnic Show at a large arena.

Thai fruit carvers - Women demonstrate the Art of Garnish

Near the Ethnic Show arena, we  wandered through a small market area where women were carving garnishes from local fruits.

Floral and vegetable displays like these are common on restaurant buffet tables and hotel lobbies, etc.

It was interesting to see how the craft is done, and that the art of fruit and veg carving was being taught to Thai girls.

Instuctions on how to make carved garnishes are hard to find, so this may be one craft that's passed from generation to generation.

For Thai cooking, there are a number of cookbooks (like Quick & Easy Thai Recipes, Healthy Thai Cooking and Thai Cuisine: Lemon Grass Cookbook from Amazon).

Thailand Takes Flower Arranging to new heights

Larger plant  leaves (I am not sure if they were a type of palm or banana leaf) were cut into smaller shapes and rolled into tiny flutes, or cone shapes.

The shaped leaves are used as garnishes on platters of food and as greenery in floral arrangements.

Vendors selling a variety of flower garlands with this style of leaf can be seen near temples and on the street.

These garlands are also used for wedding decorations.

See  The Art of Living with Tropical Flowers.

Ceramic Fruits in Thailand Look Like the Real Ones

These fruits look so real that I had to touch them to be sure they were indeed ceramic!

Ceramics were one of the Thai crafts offered for sale near the Arena on the day tour from Bangkok to the Floating Market.

Thai Wood Carving Demonstration Near Bangkok Thailand

Another stop on the day trip to the Floating Market was at a furniture store and workshop, where a number of wood carvers worked away in a covered area next to the showroom.

Wood carvings, pictures, utensils and carved furniture can be bought and shipped home, at a reasonable cost. Ask for details at the showroom.

On a trip to this same spot, a friend in Toronto Canada purchased two large club chairs made entirely of wood, with this very detailed carving on the back and sides.

The chairs are very heavy. I could not raise one off the floor at all.

He said that he had been skeptical that these chairs would indeed be shipped to him in Canada, as he had arranged, but they arrived in great shape, and now he has two massive and wonderfully carved chairs as a memento of Thailand.

Craftsman at Wood Carving Shop Near Bangkok

All the work being done by carvers in this area of the furniture factory  appeared to be chiselling and cutting the designs, not actual furniture construction.

Note the bare feet, and seated position.

Carver Skill Shown in Picture Made From Wood ~ Thai Art

Inside the showroom, there was an astonishing array of elaborately carved furniture, as well as this amazing piece.

I really enjoyed seeing the skills demonstrated in these works of art.

See Thai Ideas in Textiles and Furniture book on Amazon.

Carved Wood Picture Detail - Thai Carvers and Painters

A closer look at the intricate work, above.

I remember noting that none of the items were cheap.

In fact, some were quite costly, which reflects the great amount of work gone into making it.

Thai Wood vases - Shaped on Lathes, then Carved with Details

These wood vases would make great souvenirs.

I saw some in this style offered for sale in Canada, but had no idea at that time that they were a Thai craft.

Thailand Travel Pictures and Information - Click a picture and go!

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