#FLIBCULTURE
Why are there so many young people in the forefront of Pak Nam Pho Chinese New Year?
Whether it’s the acrobatic lion dancers or the endless parade, young people are the drive behind this festival.
“We saw our seniors does it since we were a child” they answer the question simply.
At its core, this century old festival stays the same: a celebration of all Thai-Chinese identity, the tight knit community, and the spirits of the young people of each era.
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ทำไมคนรุ่นใหม่ถึงมาอยู่ในงานตรุษจีนปากน้ำโพมากมายขนาดนี้?
ไม่ว่าจะในสมาคมเชิดสิงโตหรือขบวนที่มีวัยรุ่นอาสานับร้อย วัยรุ่นเป็นหนึ่งในผู้ขับเคลื่อนสำคัญเบื้องหลังเทศกาลนี้
“ผมดูพวกพี่ๆ เขาเล่นมาตั้งแต่เด็ก” วัยรุ่นเกือบทุกคนตอบอย่างเรียบง่ายเมื่อเราถาม
แม้จะเปลี่ยนมือไปรุ่นต่อรุ่น หัวใจของเทศกาลอายุกว่าร้อยปีนี้ไม่เคยเปลี่ยน ตรุษจีนปากน้ำโพคือการเฉลิมฉลองความเป็นคนไทยเชื้อสายจีน สายใยอันแน่นแฟ้นของคนในชุมชน และการโชว์ของของคนรุ่นใหม่จากทุกๆ เจน
เรื่องโดย: @prynyyy5__@tvsnmm
ภาพถ่ายโดย: @kanrapee.chok@barrymac84
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#flibmag #flibxthaimediafund #กองทุนสื่อปลอดภัยและสร้างสรรค์
Press shots of artists @jittagarn_k and @lblackbunny in their studio in Pathum Thani. It was very inspiring to see where they create their ideas and work and seeing the benefit of having a partner who understands your work. What a lovely team. Assistant @triamtung_1989
Sawadee by Barry Macdonald @ barrymac84
Sawadee is a photo book that looks at the wai gesture (palms together) and it’s place in Thai society. It is used for hello, goodbye, thank you, sorry, mercy and everything in between. Barry Macdonald focuses on how this gesture is across so many religious statues and has crossed over into everyday culture as well and its impact on Thai society.
📖 SGD 45 | 112 pages | Self-published by artist
Available on our webstore. Link in bio 🔖
Ships worldwide. Item will be shipped within 3 business days after order is made.
Last Few days. Closes December 14th 8pm. Some photos from my Sawadee project that is being exhibited at @palette.artspace curated by @only_sophiee until December 14th 2025.
One of the first things a tourist learns in Thailand are the words “Sawadee” combined with the wai gesture. It originated over 2000 years ago in Hinduism with the Añjali Mudrā gesture, which accompanies “namaste” and was adopted by Buddhism.
It was a yogic posture, the equal meeting of the palms symbolising that the other party is treated as an equal human being. As well as greetings it’s also used for farewells, thanking, apologising, asking for mercy and expressing various forms of politeness and respect.
I became interested in how widespread this gesture is depicted, in religious contexts, muay Thai, Khon dance, massage, but also in commercial mascots, public notices, stickers and clip art. Despite its fading popularity with the younger generation, I want to show how this gesture has become a symbol of Thai identity on so many levels.
The sixth Street Report — an extensive photographic survey — the metaphor of “city as tapestry” found its physical and tactile form in the iconic blue-and-white tarps (Phaa Bai) across Thailand. Being the most affordable and lightweight of the tarp class, its distinct striped pattern recurs in almost every layer of street life. From picnics, to construction sites, to sacred spaces.
Street Report 6: Phaa Bai, reported by Barry Mcdonald @barrymac84 is now available.
Some photos from my Sawadee project that is being exhibited at @palette.artspace curated by @only_sophiee until December 14th 2025.
One of the first things a tourist learns in Thailand are the words “Sawadee” combined with the wai gesture. It originated over 2000 years ago in Hinduism with the Añjali Mudrā
gesture, which accompanies “namaste” and was adopted by Buddhism.
It was a yogic posture, the equal meeting of the palms symbolising that the other party is treated as an equal human being. As well as greetings it’s also used for farewells, thanking, apologising, asking for mercy and expressing various forms of politeness and respect.
I became interested in how widespread this gesture is depicted, in religious contexts, muay Thai, Khon dance, massage, but also in commercial mascots, public notices, stickers and clip art. Despite its fading popularity with the younger generation, I want to
show how this gesture has become a symbol of Thai identity on so many levels.
“Sawadee” by Barry Macdonald @barrymac84
A visual exploration of the Thai ‘wai’ — seen not through people, but through the countless statues and mascots across Thailand.
A simple gesture revealing layers of respect, hierarchy, belief, and emotion.
📍 Read more: link in bio
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Now showing as a solo exhibition:
Curated by @only_sophiee
📍 Palette Arts Space, Thong Lor @palette.artspace
- Opening: Nov 15, 2025 — 4–9 PM
- On view: Nov 15 – Dec 14
- Daily 7:30 AM – 8 PM
- BTS Thong Lor, Exit 3
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#sawadeebybarrymacdonald #barrymacdonald #arctribemag
