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UNFOLDING BANGKOK-Hidden Temple

Hidden Temples, five hidden temples to explore on the Thonburi side

It is evident that the COVID-19 epidemic has had a significant impact on Thai tourism, ranging from measures to close the country to travel restrictions in several countries. Bangkok is one of the cities impacted, as this capital city is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. And now that the situation has been relaxed, Bangkok is ready to welcome tourists again from November 2022 onwards and provides ample experiences of traveling to this charming city, Bangkok, which you may have never witnessed before. 

Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) or CEA, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization), arrange the pilot event in Bangkok “UNFOLDING BANGKOK” under the three main themes: Hidden Temple, a secret temple tour; Greeting Benjakitti, a visit to the forest park in the middle of the city; Living Old Building, a retrospective of historical buildings and Greeting Benjakitti, a visit to the forest park in the middle of the city.

UNFOLDING BANGKOK is set to happen between November 2022-September 2023 to welcome tourists to various locations throughout Bangkok. The event is expected to showcase the alternative and creative dimensions of Thailand and Thai culture in a contemporary style. It will also stimulate the tourism sector with a variety of creative activities that create a new experience of traveling in Bangkok for both Thai and foreign tourists.

HIDDEN TEMPLE
Five hidden temples to explore on the Thonburi side
12 November - 25 December 2022

UNFOLDING BANGKOK has started already! Let’s turn from ordinary "Cafe Hopping" to immersive "Temple Hopping." The five hidden temples on the Thonburi side will delight you with an interactive light and sound display that will reveal the history of Buddhism and the architectural design. You can also take a creative tour to learn about the neighborhood’s identity while shopping for souvenirs at the flea market on this site or enjoy the creatively selected performances to match the district’s context.

Visit the hidden temple under the three concepts 

The Hidden Temple is organized under the concept of “the pilgrimage”, “the abandoned temples in the community”, and “the hidden domain in the sacred ground” with the activities including: 

1. Hidden Temple: The Pilgrimage
12-20 November 2022
Location: Wat Intharam I Wat Chantharam-Wat Ratcha Khruet, Talat Phlu 
2. Hidden Temple: Abandoned Temples in the Community
10-18 December 2022
Location: Wat Phumarin Ratchapaksi-Wat Dusidaram, Bangkok Noi
3. Hidden Temple: The Hidden Domain in the Sacred Ground
17-25 December 2022
Location: Wat Phraya Siri Aisawan I Wat Suaansawan Bang Yi Khan
 
Hidden Temple: The Pilgrimage
12 - 20 November 2022
Location: Wat Intharam I Wat Chantharam-Wat Ratcha Khruet, Talat Phlu 

Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) or CEA, in collaboration with Urban Ally, the Thai architecture archive, the Faculty of Architecture, Silpakorn University, and the network of Bang Yi Ruea-Talat Phlu community, rolls out the activity Hidden Temple under the concept of “the pilgrimage” to impart the historical stories, interns of the Buddhist and the community, with a new interpretation of the history of Buddhism in the Vihara in row enshrining the Buddha's footprint, Buddha’s death, and reclining Buddha image. Retrace the journey to the major Buddhist sites, through the community to the mountain replica, which is one of the oldest structures still standing from the Rattanakosin period. There are also the lion dance performance, Kratua Taeng Sua performance, Chinese puppets show, and the hard-to-see banana trunk craving.

Highlight Activities

  • Projection Mapping: to project the story of Buddhism onto the mural painting in three Vihara of Wat Intharam including the Vihara in row enshrining the Buddha's footprint, the Vihara in row enshrining the Buddha’s death, and the Vihara in row enshrining the reclining Buddha image. Wat Intharam is an old temple in the Ayutthaya period that has been constantly restored until the Thonburi Rattanakosin period. Visitors can enter the Vihara and retrace the journey from 16.00-21.00 hrs. at Wat Intharam and Wat Ratcha Khruet.
  • Architectural Lighting: the lighting design onto the architecture and buildings to promote the identity and value of the temple architecture and the historical landmark in Wat Intharam and Wat Chantharam-Wat Ratcha Khruet from 18.00-21.00 hrs.
  • Creative Performance by the Creators and Community: both contemporary “Kratua Taeng Sua” and traditional “Kratua Ork Chak” along with the Lion Dance performance, Thai long drum, and Chinese Puppetry. There is also a workshop for making the exclusive souvenirs of the community. From 18.00-19.00 hrs. at Wat Intharam and the Waterfront at Intharam Temple and Wat Ratcha Khruet. 
  • Creative Tour: the cycling activity to explore the hidden temple on the Thonburi side by Bike in the City. See the historical temple and community architecture with special guest speakers from the Department of Art and Architecture and Thai architecture archive, the Faculty of Architecture, Silpakorn University, from 16.00-18.00 hrs., register at www.facebook.com/UrbanAlly.SU. 

See more about Hidden Temple: The Pilgrimage at

Three Concepts of Hidden Temple 
Hidden Temple: The Pilgrimage Activities
Photos of Hidden Temple: The Pilgrimage Activities
and www.facebook.com/UrbanAlly.SU. 


Hidden Temple: Abandoned Temples in the Community
10 - 18 December 2022
Location: Wat Phumarin Ratchapaksi-Wat Dusidaram, Bangkok Noi

Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) or CEA, in collaboration with Urban Ally, the Thai architecture archive, the Faculty of Architecture, Silpakorn University, and the network of Bangkok Noi community, arrange the activity, Hidden Temple, under the concept of “Abandoned Temples in the Community” to reveal the harmony of the community that still exists by the application of an abandoned temple and the storytelling of Jambudvipa within the Vihara of Wat Phumarin. The art exhibited in this venue is presented in a contemporary style with interactive technology of offering Puang Mahot (traditional paper folding decorative item) to the Buddha image at the back of the Vihara. Visitors will get to learn the endangered wisdom of local games and rituals and learn about the distinctive food of Bangkok Noi.

Highlight Activities

  • Projection Mapping: the contemporary art with interactive technology to portray the story of Jambudvipa within the Vihara of Wat Phumarin and offering Puang Mahot (traditional paper folding decorative item) to the Buddha image at the back of the Vihara.
  • Architectural Lighting: the lighting designed to give the temple and the neighborhood around Wat Phumarin Ratchapaksi a mood.
  • Community Performance: "Mae Si" "Phee Lob" "Ling Lom” the ritual plays that are the local wisdom of Bangkok Noi district, see the ancient Takhian boat and learn the relief from "Ghost" to "Buddha".
  • Community Market: food and goods of Bangkok Noi community to revitalize the area around the abandoned temple. Participate in the traditional local cooking workshop from a local expert with a century of experience.

See more about Hidden Temple: Abandoned Temples in the Community at

Hidden Temple: Abandoned Temples in the Community Activities
Photos of Hidden Temple: Abandoned Temples in the Community Activities
และ www.facebook.com/UrbanAlly.SU


Hidden Temple: The Hidden Domain in the Sacred Ground
17 - 25 December 2022
Location: Wat Phraya Siri Aisawan I Wat Suaansawan Bang Yi Khan

Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) or CEA, in collaboration with Urban Ally, the Thai architecture archive, the Faculty of Architecture, Silpakorn University, and the network of Bang Yi Khan community, arrange the activity, Hidden Temple, under the concept of “The Hidden Domain in the Sacred Ground” to reveals the temple areas that are existing and changing through the dynamics of the big community like Bangkok. At Wat Phraya Siri Aisawan, the visitors will get to see the assumption of complete architecture of Wat Suaansawan, observe the sacred domain of this abandoned temple hidden in the Ban Poon community, and enjoy the musical activities and performances with three pagodas appeared in different shapes and forms in the background.

Highlight Activities

  • Projection Mapping: the assumption of the complete architecture of Wat Suaansawan, the abandoned temple hidden in the Ban Poon community.
  • Music and Performance: the musical activities and performances with three pagodas appeared in different shapes and forms in the background at Wat Phraya Siri Aisawan, Bang Yi Khan.
  • Architectural Lighting: interactive lighting designed to portray the sacred domain invisibly hidden in Wat Phraya Siri Aisawan in an alternative way. 

See more about Hidden Temple: The Hidden Domain in the Sacred Ground at 

Hidden Temple: The Hidden Domain in the Sacred Ground Activities
Photos-1 of Hidden Temple: The Hidden Domain in the Sacred Ground Activities
Photos-2 of Hidden Temple: The Hidden Domain in the Sacred Ground Activities


About UNFOLDING BANGKOK