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Carving Gallery
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Thai
carving History
The
story of fruit and vegetable carving begins about 700
years ago in Sukothai, the capital of the Tai people, in
what is now the north of central Thailand. Sukothai was
the capital of the region from 1240 - 1350. In
preparation for one of their major festivals, Loi
Kratong, one of the King’s servants, called Nang
Noppamart, tried to think how she could make her Kratong
more beautiful, in order to please the king. She took a
flower and used it as a pattern to carve from. She then
carved a bird and set it with its head pointing towards
the flower. Loi Kratong is still celebrated today and
Sukothai is one of the best places in Thailand to
experience it.
Fruit and vegetable carving is also mentioned in the
poetry of King Rama 2 who reigned from 1808-1824. He
wrote about the beauty of Thai desserts and fruit and
vegetable carving.
After the revolution in 1932 fruit and vegetable carving
became less popular. Those worried about the art
disappearing set up a course to train people to teach
the art to everyone in Thailand. Today it is taught from
the age of 11 in primary schools through secondary
school and on to university where it is an optional
subject. The art is now being passed to foreign people
and is being practised around the world. It is
particularly popular with chefs who use it to improve
the presentation of their food.
Everyone can now enjoy this amazing art in hotels,
cruise liners, in every Thai restaurant around the world
and on the internet. Everyday more and more people are
discovering with disbelief and amazement the beauty of
this Thai art thanks to the imagination of Nang
Noppamart all those years ago.
Sources: Fruit and vegetable carving by Nidda Hongwiwut
and Eyewitness Travel Guides - Thailand
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Kursus/Carving
coure
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