All our yesterdays
Nonthaburi shows off its history in an exhibition at Central Plaza
NONTHABURI Province, a few kilometres northwest of Bangkok, is celebrating its history and its crafts until September 25 in the show “Withee Non’ 2016” on the ground floor of Central Plaza Rattanathibet.
“It is a good chance for us to present our One Tambon One Product (Otop) goods, increase marketing channels and generate income for local communities. Our Otop earthenware is a signature product of Nonthaburi, along with Benjarong ceramics, incense, and nielloware,” says Bankchart Kaewchompoo, president of Nonthaburi Community Development Provincial Office.
Nonthaburi can trace its history back 400 years to the Ayutthaya era. Initially known as Ban Talad Khwan and noted for its fertile soil and plentiful orchards on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the area became Nonthaburi City in 1549 under the reign of King Mahajakrapat.
In 1665, King Narai the Great noticed that the canal dug to create a shortcut for the flow of the Chao Phraya could have a negative effect on the city’s security and ordered a fortress to be built at the delta of Om River. The town was subsequently moved nearer the fortress.
More changes were made during the early Rattanakosin period when King Mongkut had Nonthaburi moved to the entrance of Bang Sue Canal in Tambon Ban Talad Khwan. King Chulalongkorn established the city hall, which operated until 1928 when King Rama VII built a new city hall on the riverfront. That building, constructed in a European style, now belongs to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while the current city hall is located on Rattanathibet Road.
The exhibition features models of Ban Talad Khwan and Wat Prang Luang, whose stupa is considered as one of the important religious sites of Nonthaburi. The temple was constructed during the reign of King Ramathibodi I (U-Thong) in early Ayutthaya and enshrines a standing Buddha image.
Visitors to the event can enjoy demonstrations by Nonthaburi’s potters as they painstakingly carve the province’s signature earthenware as well as Benjarong and celadon.
“The traditional earthenware of Nonthaburi is different from that in other provinces as it features exquisite patterns that are carved directly on the surface. It has been the way of Nonthaburi people for more than 200 years when the Mon people, who were evacuated to Ko Kret began to produce household utensils like clay jars, mortars and bowls for their household use. Indeed the provincial seal shows a piece of earthernware,” says Surat Buahiran, chief of Ko Kret Pottery Handicraft Group.
“In the past, Nonthaburi craftsmen used the clay from rice fields for making the pottery. But now with stocks depleted, the clay comes from Sam Khok District in Pathum Thani province as well as other neighbouring provinces such as Ayutthaya, Sing Buri and Ang Thong,” says Surat. “One of our best known craftsmen is Suchart Kingsodsri.”
Another part of the exhibition features a model of Krai Thong, the hero of a folk tale more commonly associated with Phichit Province about the king of the crocodiles, Chalawan. Krai Thong was apparently born in Nonthaburi but volunteered to kill the giant crocodile in Phichit. When residents of Nonthaburi locals learnt about his bravery, they constructed his statue at Wat Bang Krai Nai.
The story of Krai Thong has been adapted for both the big and small screens. Actor Winai Kraibutr, who played Krai Thong in the 2001 movie, will be greeting visitors at the event today.
