The Hive Life Bangkok team discovers the long lost crafts of blacksmith that few people know about which started 200 years ago.
As the Hive Life Bangkok team walks around Wat Phu Khao Thong, a restored Buddhist temple in Bangkok, we discovered one of the long lost crafts few people know about that started 200 years ago.
Easily recognised by the deafening sounds stainless bowls being hammered by skilled artisans on a hidden alley in the historical district of Rattanakosin Island. Ban-Baht is one of the remaining places to preserve the ancient art of the hand-made alms bowls used by monks. However, this trade is slowly dying from society as skills are passed down from generations and the craft tools cannot be found in the market anymore.
Established by Hiran Sueariserm, Ban-Baht offers free workshops for tourists and locals with the aim to share a priceless experience of making hand-made alms bowls. In the past, Ban-Baht used to be part of a messy corner on a sidewalk of Rattanakosin Island with the hope that people who walk by would pop by.
We chat to Nong Gasuma, Hiran’s partner to learn more about the ancient craft and their beliefs.
“This place used to be just tables and chairs under an umbrella and just developed to be a real store and school by the supports of cultural ministry and many of people who used to be our students. The effort is not easy as it seems, we need 8 days and 8 men with different skills to create a fine sculpture to create feelings that machines cannot give.”
Designed as both a school and a store, future plans for Hiran includes hiring local’s to strengthen the society as much as he can before the craft disappears.
To visit and find out more about the Ban-Baht, you can simply find the place right at Men-Poon intersection on Boripat Road.
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