2. Daily Postings Chiangmai Study Trip 2015/16 Youth Culture

University Scholars Programme

Day 4

Day 4 Fay, Fuyang Shen Day 4 was really an eventful day. We interviewed two professors in the morning. Their responses were extremely insightful. In the afternoon, we conducted a FGD with four Chiang Mai University students. At night, we had a group discussion to consolidate everything we had gathered in the day….

Day 3

Day 3 Fay, Fuyang Shen Today’s highlight is definitely the visit to Doi Suthep Mountain and the temple Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep located right on top of a hill forming Doi Suthep. The temple has existed since 13th century and is definitely one of the most important temples for Thai people. An interesting trivia…

Day 2

Day 2 Fay, Fuyang Shen Today we went to Wat Rong Khun, or better known as the White Temple. It was designed and constructed by Chalermchai Kositpipat, a well-known Thai artist. “Only death can stop my dream, but cannot stop my project,” Chalermchai was quoted as saying about the temple, adding that he believes…

Day 1

Day 1 Fay, Shen Fuyang We spent the whole morning (almost) on the coach, travelling from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. We stopped at a place where there were hot springs and I saw some tourists digging their feet into the warm water. I did not because I was too lazy to take off…

Day 5 (8 Jan) Posting

What does everyone like to talk about most? Themselves. This may be a sweeping statement but it does work well as an aphorism. It was the principle I kept in mind when interacting with Professor Zachary during one of the activities for the Leadership Amazing Race. That principle was useful in self-introductions but it wasn’t…

Day 4 (7 Jan) Posting

This was the day which contained the highlight of our fieldwork: an interview with a professor and an expert from the Women’s Studies Centre of CMU. We started the day with high expectations. For this interview, Dr Ariya Svetamra had invited her colleague Ms Matcha Phorn-in to join us. By this stage, Fay and I…

Day 3 (6 Jan) Posting

Play day. After two days of work, our group decided to unwind for the day. Doi Suthep was the first stop of the day and we spent our time there as tourists. The compound was impressive, bedecked with intricate religious artefacts and engravings. Personally, I have always liked visiting heritage sites for they tend to…

Day 2 (5 Jan) Posting

What is a temple? That was the thought running through my head as I scrutinised the mural in the ubosot: there were paintings of Elvis Presley, Spiderman and Batman amongst other modern figures of pop culture. All along, my impression of temples were along the lines of solemn wooden structures with plain walls and statues…

Day 0 3/01: Jetlagged

We have finally reached our destination – Chiang Mai! Having to mingle with a bunch of people I did not know made me more apprehensive about the trip. But I guess, with everything that takes you outside of your comfort level, you learn about others and yourself on a deeper level. This what I told…

Day 1 (4 Jan) Posting

“Apart from hông náam you can also use sù-kăa, which literally translates to ‘pleasure room’, if you want to refer to the toilet.” “Mae Fah Luang is the title which the local people refer to their current king’s mother and the university was established as a tribute to her contributions to her people.” These were…