A substainal part of a Thai life very much involved in values like Sanuk (Fun), Mai Pen Rai (never mind) and Yaa Kit Maak (Don't think so much). Bangkok is an acknowledge centre of what the Thais call Sanuk. The ability to find Sanuk in so many ways is seemed a most important aspect of a Thai life. It is also one of the main reasons why most Thais preferred a city life. Therefore do this value reflect on the way they create or use the space and forms?
Sanuk
Sanuk is not limited to pastimes, like games or parties; almost every activity can earn the accolade under the right circumstances. Hard work can be sanuk provided it is not routine and was carried out in groups instead of solitary. Shopping and eating are the basic sources of sanuk. Therefore, eating spaces, markets, shopping centres or shopping districts will be observed to look into the way they use or create spaces and forms with this value in mind.
Observations: Crowd & Noise = Fun
Shopping and eating are not carried out in posh emporia but rather in crowded pavements or in public market (be it in dirty wet market or flea market) which are environments that we think it not fun at all. Below are some of the places I had made observation and analyse them.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Area of Chatuchak Weekend Market are demarcated in colour zones grouping the approximate 15 000 stalls into categories like fashion items, household, pets, plants, etc. This is done so as to organise the place for the ease of the shoppers. However the market was so huge that even with a map we can still find ourselves walking in circles. Vendors there mostly likely have not abided the colour coding system at all.
Stalls in Chatuchak Weekend market
Stalls along pathway in market
Network between people & market
Outside market
Along the pathway
Spaces are created using large umbrella along the pathway for eating and selling fruits or other kind of items. Therefore a pavement serves not just for the purpose of walking, it also had became dwelling spaces for the people.
Plan view of stalls along the pathways
Other Observations
Conclusion
In conclusion, sanuk can be seen carried out in all parts of Thailand. It is a value that is so substantial that those activity and places that are not sanuk can be a worst possible criticism of any undertaking. Sanuk are not necessary carried out in entertainment centres, posh resturants or famous brothels. A classroom, a dirty market place and apparently any solemn ceremonies like a funeral can be seen as sanuk as long as its a place to interact with people. Therefore, in my own opinion, Thailanders crowding the pathways and along market place with huge umbrellas, portable chairs are done intentionally to grab any opportunity of interacting with people.
Sanuk + Form = Minimum space = Crowds + Noise
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