Destination.
BANGKOK
Bsc. (Hons) Architecture 08 Sawasdee ! From 25th to 30th March 2015, 58 students of Bachelor Science in Architecture from University of Technology Mara went to a study trip to Bangkok, Thailand. The trip was organized by final year students from studio 08 and instructed by Puan Sharifah Asmah Tuan Mat and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esmawee Hj Endut. The 6-day study trip included formal visits to University of Chulalongkorn Faculty of Architecture and King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi. Students also went to the Grand Palace, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Amphawa Floating Market, Khao San Road, Jim Thompson House and Museum, Siam Paragon and Chatuchak Weekend Market or also known as Jatujak Market. Prior to the study tour, student attended orientation sessions to familiarize themselves with Thailand’s tertiary educational system. The goal of the International study tour is to improve student’s understanding of international architecture education, and to allow students to compare and contrast Malaysian Architecture education with that of other Asian countries. Through the university presentations, students and lectures were provided a broader context and deeper understanding of architecture learning system in Thailand, including its history, the cultural values and beliefs informing decades of reform, and its relation to greater economic and political trends. All in all, the trip to Bangkok, Thailand was an opportunity for students to not only familiarize themselves with the vibrant city of Bangkok, but also create valuable connections with their fellow ASEAN peers and colleagues. Networking and developing professional relationships is an important part of educational leadership and development within the architecture community.
Upon arrival at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport from Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA 2) , there are two options to go to the first destination (Orchid Hostel and Thrive Hostel - both staying right on Rama IV road which is connected to Sala Daeng, Silom Road) which by train or taxi. Orchid and Thrive hostel both is an ideal budget accommodation for backpackers which are friendly atmosphere. Situated right in a business and shopping district and within a walking distance to both subway and skytrain stations (MRT Sam Yan Station and BTS Sala Daeng Station). Silom is also known as ‘the Wall Street of Bangkok’. Situated in the area headquarters of bank, hotels, office building and several shopping malls. Silom Road was among the very first roads built during the reign of King Rama IV. In the past, the road was known for its windmill ( in Thai “Silom” ), the significant landmark in the area which has later become the name of the road.
On the next day , after having lunch at Siam Center area , took a walk to Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road which is about 5 minutes away. Upon arrived, students and lecturers were explained about the university and INDA (International Programs in Design and Architecture), Chulalongkorn University. INDA is an English language program taught within the Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. Chulalongkorn is the oldest University in Thailand, founded in 1917 by King Rama VI in honor of his father, King Chulalongkorn. During our visit, the university is celebrating their 98th birthday for the whole day. The Architecture Faculty was first established in 1939, and has a long and successful history of educating professionals for practice in Thailand. The international program – INDA – was founded in 2006, aimed at meeting a growing demand for English language instruction that would better prepare students for graduate study abroad.
During explanation of the university and INDA programs which is International Programs in Design and Architecture Chulalongkorn University.
After the study tour, students and lecturers discover halal or muslim food located at Nana which is near to Sukhumvit MRT Station for dinner. Sukhumvit Road is the largest enclave of Arabic, Middle Eastern and Indian restaurants in Bangkok and is the place to go for authentic, regional halal cuisine. This narrow street on the edge of the popular Nana district is known to some as Soi Arab and really comes alive from early evening until late at night. The unique smells of schawarma kebab and the promise of genuine curried dishes draw a diverse crowd, ranging from tourists looking for their native cuisine, local Thais attracted by the cheap and exotic food on offer and a noticeable number of inquisitive Westerners.
27TH MARCH 2015 KING MONGKUT’S UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY THONBURI AMPHAWA FLOATING MARKET
5 Student’s Day 3 schedule packed with friendship exchange meeting at the Faculty of Architecture and Design of King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi. The Faculty of Architecture and Design is a new faculty created on the 2nd of February 2010 with the rational to educate architects and designers to satisfy the demands of efficient manpower needed in the arts and commercial sector, and also to encourage the creation of public and private designing enterprises. The new faculty will also offer activities supporting courses for students such as workshop RAKUZA. Moreover, it offers research and academic service facilities in interior architecture and industrial arts.
King Mongkut’s University is a leading technology academy in Thailand, focusing on teaching and researching in engineering and technology as well as serving industry. The short famous name of the university is “Bangmod”, a local name for the area around the university. KMUTT is located in Thung Kru district, Bangkok and it was officially founded on April 18, 1960. The university has three campuses: two of them in Bangkok (Bang Mod and Bangkhuntian) and the third one in Ratchaburi province. After the meeting and sightseeing at KMUTT , students and lecturers spend almost a half-day tour to the Amphawa Floating market outside of the city. It makes for a filling evening adventure. Amphawa offers a glimpse of how Bangkok looked when canals outnumbered the roads and people travelled by boat. This is where the Mae Klong River meets the Gulf of Thailand and ancient canals irrigate the region. People still live on the canals but it’s only at the weekends that the market boats come out.
Amphawa Floating Market is on a bustling canal; its banks lined with attractive teak shop-houses that open to the water. Arrive early enough, and we can see Buddhist monks making their rounds by boat and the local people offering food and alms as they paddle by. Most visitors arrive around mid day though to enjoy seafood lunches of shrimp and shellfish that are cooked on boats to fill the hungry stomach !
28TH MARCH 2015 GRAND PALACE KHAOSAN ROAD
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Day four was rather a sightseeing spree towards the vernacular architecture style in Bangkok, Thailand. Bangkok has a lot of temples . The study tour started to visit to the city with a tour of the Grand Palace (Royal Palace) and neighboring Wat Pho, home to the famous reclining Buddha. The Grand Palace was built from the ruins of Ayutthaya, Thailand’s ancient capital. With few resources they stripped every stone and brick from Ayutthaya, leaving only the temples, and shipped each one down the Chao Phraya river the hundred kilometers to Bangkok. The most impressive features of the Grand Palace is Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Then , the sightseeing move on to the Khao San Road . Khao San Road is a small road located about a block from the Chao Phraya River at the northern side of Rattanakosin. Backpackers and budget travelers are drawn here by some of the cheapest accommodation and travel deals in Thailand. This also deals with the wider Banglamphu area that hosts a few interesting temples, as well as lots more places to stay and eat.
Amirul Shah talking with one of the street artist that were painting at the side of Khao San Road during our arrival there.
Jim Thompson’s house and museum is an optional to visit in our fifth day study tour in Bangkok, Thailand. Jim Thompson’s house is right near Siam Square. Thompson was an American spy and silk merchant in Thailand during the 50s and 60s. He made his traditional Thai-style home in Bangkok and decorated it with beautiful teak wood, a surrounding garden, and a traditional Thai design. He vanished mysteriously in 1967 while in Cameron Highland, Malaysia. Donations to the home go towards underprivileged kids. National Assembly (ANANTASAMAKOM THRONE HALL) was built by the command of King Rama V and Finish in the region of King Rama VI for visiting foreign dignitaries and for state council meetings. The National Assembly played an important role in Thai political history as it reflects the bond between Royal and political institutions since the day when King Rama VII affixed his signature to give Thai people their first constitution.
Right after the tour , we furthering our tour to the Chatuchak Weekend Market. The weekend market is one of the best things to see in Bangkok and became a landmark as well as a “must-visit” place for tourists. It’s the size of many football fields and is crowded on the weekends with more than 8,000 market stalls that occupied the 35-acre area. We find everything and anything, from authentic jeans to their fake counterparts. There’s also a big dining area with good, cheap and also halal food for muslim. Chatuchak market attracts more than 200,000 visitors on just a typical weekend to sift through the goods that their offer. This is the place to shop until we drop!
After enjoying five days in Bangkok, it’s time for us to go back to Malaysia. Although this trip is short but everyone is satisfied with the itinerary. We’ll miss all the delicious Thai cuisines and street snacks that we have tried, and not to forget the experience treasuring which we had it every day during our study tour. This mini study tour doesn’t even begin to cover the wonders of Bangkok. The sites, the sounds and the people all make Bangkok a must see destination on every travel wish list. Hopefully we had gotten a feel for the city, and maybe even some inspiration to plan our next trip.
EDITORIAL : HANNAN ZAHAR WRITING : ZAWANI, FIQRY PHOTOGRAPH : SHAMIRA, EZANI SHARFATIN, HANNAN RASHDAN, IFWAT
DESIGN STUDIO 08