Eastern culture heads West
Celebrities Peerapat Sawasmool and Kemmanij "Pancake" Jamikorn head to Europe to raise awareness of Thai performance arts
TWO YEARS after their first successful “Inherit Buddhism and Thai Culture” trip to Amsterdam, Isaan rocker Peerapat Sawasmool, aka Pee-Saderd, and actress Kemmanij “Pancake” Jamikorn are joining up again for a show of traditional performance arts to raise funds for four Thai temples overseas.
The show has already delighted fans at Wat Buddhavihara in Amsterdam and Wat Thai in Bergen, Norway and the pair will now be heading to Wat Phra Singha in the UK next Saturday before going on to Wat Buddharama in Sweden on June 26.
“Wat Buddhavihara in Amsterdam serves as both a dharma practice centre, which encourages such skills development as embroidery, traditional Thai music instruments, Thai performing arts, and Thai cuisine, and a centre that stages events for the local Thai community. Our aim is not just to raise money for the temples but also transmit the Thai way of life to all participants. We would like both Thais and foreigners to see how Buddhism can help make their lives better and solve problems,” says Pee-Saderd.
“What makes a country prosperous is its people, as well as its origins and culture,” Pancake adds. “We want foreigners to see how we have developed in art terms and we would also like to encourage expat Thais to come and enjoy our show as well as make merit.”
Pee-Saderd and Pancake will be donating the funds raised to the temples so they can undertake renovations.
“We provide ‘thod pha pa’ [offerings of robes and other daily necessities] for the Thais in these countries and we have also donated funds to Wat Thai in Norway so it could build toilets. At Wat Buddhavihara in Amsterdam, the proceeds will go towards occupation development as well as programmes to learn about Thai culture and meditation.
“We offered food to Buddhist monks’ from nine Thai-Chinese-Vietnamese temples at Dam Square last weekend. Other activities included a sepak takraw match and a traditional Thai music performance,” says the Khon Kaen-born, 43-year-old rocker.
“Wat Phra Singha in England is a new temple but not yet complete.”
