Damrongratsong School Experience

Thailand is a beautiful and a country of rich culture and heritage. 

Especially countryside areas like Chiang Rai, where we went. Chiang Rai is full of hospitable people and is known for its Doi Tung coffee and the White Temple, if you think that Thai people are very shy and reserve, you’ll be surprised. For the most of us the most surprising discovery was this. When we were greeted by the students of Damrongratsongkroh, we were all surprised by how hospitable and friendly were the Thai students, they greeted us with smiles and warmth. Although Thai people are very religious and respectful to their teachers, they are still very comfortable with expressing what they feel and think.

Doi Tung Coffee

The White Temple 

We also made Loi Krahtongs at the school and learned the Loi Krahtong song. 

It was made out of banana tree bark and banana leaves as well as some flowers and joss sticks, it was a very unique experience as we learned how to fold the leaves and stick it on the bark with pins, every Loi Krahtong had its own unique style and everyone's Loi Krahtong was one of a kind. The song was also very catchy and addictive, we also sang it on the way back to our hotel.We also made some lukchup which was a traditional Thai dessert that was made by bean paste molded into any shape we made it into.

Happy with our lukchups!

Our Creative lukchups!

Making our own Loi Krathongs from scratch!

In the making!

Ms Lee Shu En and Ms Phuttiwan showing off their own Loi Krathong

"On the third night, we were all treated to a traditional Northern Thai meal and traditional Thai music along with dance performances. The traditional Thai meal consisted of several traditional Thai dishes one which included sticky rice. We had to eat sticky rice with our hands by pinching the rice using our fingers and rolling it to a ball before putting it into our mouths. There was also a dish that consisted of spicy chicken, it was so spicy that most of us had tears in our eyes It is common for Thai people to eat spicy food and they like it to have a very strong taste” -Fannie 

There were two traditional dances, one was a dance that involves candles while another was one that involves a pottery filled with flowers. The first dance was the pottery filled with flowers, they scattered the flowers around the stage while dancing gracefully, the dancers always carried a smile on their face while they danced. The second dance was a dance holding lit candles. We were all worried for the dancers as the candles were flickering due to the wind and the hot wax from the candle would scald them. However, the dancers were all very experienced and knew how to avoid the cons of dancing with a candle.

Coach's first time wearing a traditional Northern Thai costume! 

Group photo with the performers