Student Weekly visits Nan
By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos by Suwitcha Chaiyong
Did you know
Nan’s symbolic flower is the orchid.
Situated in the northern province of Nan, Nan city has a population of around 22,000 people. Despite being a small city, Nan has plenty of interesting historical attractions for visitors.
Student Weekly recently visited Nan to see some of the city’s beautiful historic temples, famous paintings and a traditional northern-style residence.
Wat Phu Min
Wat Phu Min is one of the most famous temples in Nan because of its unique architecture and paintings by renowned artist Nhan Buapha. Visitors can see the well-known painting called Pu Man, Ya Man, which is a symbol of Nan. The painting portrays an affectionate image of a man touching a woman's shoulder and whispering to her. The painting has been praised for its creativity, perfect composition, colours and emotional expression.
Another interesting painting in the temple depicts a man asking a woman he likes to light his cigarette. If the woman is interested in the guy, she will light the cigarette for him. In the past, men and women didn't associate with one another often and usually met at temples.
Boran Sathan Wat Noi (Noi Temple)
With its 1.98 metre width, 2.34 metre length and 3.35 metre height, Boran Sathan Wat Noi is the smallest temple in the kingdom. A sign in front of the little temple explains that it was built because of the 63rd governor of Nan made a mistake. In 1873, when he met and talked to King Chulalongkorn about the number of the temples in Nan, the governor mistakenly said that there were 21 temples when in fact there were only 20. This small Lanna-style little temple was then built to bring the number to 21.
Hong Chao Fong Kham (The Noble House)
Surrounded by lush greenery, The Noble House was built from solid teak wood. The owner of this splendid house, Chao Fong Kham, was a descendant of Nan governor Chao Anantaworarithidej.
The oldest part of the house was built more than 150 years ago, when the wood was cut by axe and knife, and joined without the use of screws or nails. The house now exhibits old utensils and other items used in the past. On the first floor, there is also a regular cotton weaving demonstration.
The Nobel House is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission is free. For more information, please visit th-th.facebook.com/noblehousenan.
Vocabulary
- residence (n): a person’s home, especially a large or impressive one
renowned (adj): famous and respected
affectionate (adj): showing feelings of love or affection
whisper (v): to speak very quietly, using the breath but not the voice, so that only a person close to you can hear you
composition (n): the way in which the different elements or parts of a painting, sculpture, etc. are arranged
governor (n): an official who is appointed to be in charge of a town or region
teak (n): a type of hard, dark timber often used for making furniture, etc.
descendant (n): a person who is related to you and who lives after you, such as your child or grandchild
screw (n): a thin, pointed piece of metal with a raised edge twisting round along its length and a flat top with a cut in it, used to join pieces of wood, metal, etc. together
weave (v): to form fabric by interlacing long threads with other long threads running at a right angle to them
