Culture on Hua Hin Today

18 artists from Ban Sinlapin Hua Hin achieved best awards

Mr. Thawee Kesa-Ngarm, Ban Sinlapin's Gallery owner, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khirikhan, revealed he and the group of artists founded this art gallery in 2004 by gathering together pieces of art work showing the uniqueness of Hua Hin and other regions of Thailand. There were a large number of art lovers visiting and purchasing these paintings which were priced from ten thousand to hundred thousand for each. Each one depicted somewhere in Thailand and the Thai way of life and they were distributed to Europe and Scandinavia.

For many years, he, in the name of Ban Silapin, has devoted all artworks to Hua Hin society. Recently, Ban Sinlapin had 18 artists chosen as the "18 first-class artists of Thailand". In order to make their decision a group of judges considered lines, content, colors and other factors of each work piece.

"The winning pieces will be given to Hua Hin and Prachuap Khirikhan people because I and my family are all artists in Hua Hin in body and in spirit, therefore, when pieces of work become famous, they must be given to the motherland. With pride, I am sure to step forward to create arts in 2008" said Mr, Thawee.

Mr. Thawee also added the latest masterpieces at the end of 2007 were created under cooperation of Prachuap Khirikhan Provincial Governor, District Chief Officer, Hua Hin Mayor and Hua Hin Market Village Shopping Center, gathering 80 artists to paint HM. the King Bhumibol's image within 80 hours.

Now the image has been completed beautifully and is already considered valuable to art lovers. Mr. Prasong Phithunkijja, the Prachuap Khirikhan Provincial Governor had the elegant painting kept safe in its place until becoming a decoration on the tunnel's entrance (Hua Hin airport) ready for when HM. the King passes by.

Mr. Thawee also added besides the arts being devoted to Hua Hin and motherland, some paintings regarding HM. the King's natural panorama and the way of life of 4 regions of Thailand are also sold to foreigners from Europe (England and Germany) and Scandinavia groups (Sweden, Finland and Denmark), each piece of work valued at hundred thousand baht, making a million baht profit a year.

The income gained from arts is mostly spent on himself and his family, but beyond the issue of money is the pride of the arts in describing the way of life, culture and the gist of the Thais under the patronage of the beloved king via paintings to international communities.

Furthermore, at the end of 2007, the group of artists had an opportunity to display paintings and demonstrated drawings to overseas tourists at the Clock Tower to welcome the New Year festival. For those who are interested in such precious paintings, they can visit Ban Sinlapin art gallery at Chong Khao Darng, Hua Hin.