Ban Chang Thai
preserving traditional Thai art

Ban Chang Thai is in a house located deep in Ekamai Soi 10, Sukhumvit Bangkok. 

Meaning the House of Thai Artisans, this center preserves ornate pieces of traditional Thai art, classical puppets, miniature Khon masks and pottery.

Out in the garden in an open shed that serves as a gym, two bare back young men in Muay Thai shorts perform the rigorous Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) movements and techniques.

I approached the bespectacled middle-aged man sitting in the front porch reading a book.

He turns out to be the owner, Acharn (teacher) Kridakorn Sodprasert who has converted his home into a center for traditional Thai art and Muay Thai training.

Benjarong pottery

Within the inner room are larger puppets together with photographs of the grand opening ceremony of Ban Chang Thai in 1996.

In the corner stands the bust of Corrado Feroci, the man who started the Silpakorn School of Fine Arts, the forerunner to the Silpakorn University of Fine Arts in Bangkok.

Muay Thai gear and photos of Muay Thai postures and techniques are on display in the third room. 

I couldn't hold back my curiosity any longer and asked Achran Kridakorn about this incongruous mix of fine art and rigorous Thai kickboxing.

That's when he made a startling revelation. Another line of his ancestors were executioners at the time when condemned prisoners were beheaded with a sword!!

Thankfully, he didn't pursue this line any further but chose instead to promote the Thai martial art of self defense.

On my way out, I noticed a souvenir from National Geographic in appreciation of Acharn Kridakorn's consultation services in the making of the National Geographic documentary, "Muay Thai – Krabi Krabong" in January 2002.

To preserve and promote traditional Thai art, classes are conducted here during the weekends for water color, Thai painting and puppet making for children and adults.

During the week, Muay Thai training is conducted.

This version is called Muay Chaiya or the ancient Thai boxing practiced before the introduction of boxing gloves, boxing rings and commercialization of the art.

These traditional Muay Thai techniques are suitable for both competitive fighting and self defense.

The works of art in this House of Thai Artisans can also be made to order, for visitors who wish to take distinctly Thai souvenirs home with them.

Ban Chang Thai is truly a Bangkok legacy steadfastly preserving the traditional Thai art and skills endangered by the relentless pace of modern development.

I wish to thank Acharn Kridakorn Sodprasert, the owner of Ban Chang Thai, for taking the time for the interview and for kindly allowing me to have a close look at his exhibits and to photograph them.

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How to get there

By the Green Line

Take the Green Line (BTS Sky Train) to E7 Ekamai Station. From the station take a taxi to Ban Chang Thai.

The traditional Thai art and Muay Thai training center is in Soi Ekamai 10, off Sukhumvit 63 near the Ekamai Station. 

If you're coming from the city, the Ekamai eastern bus terminal is on the right.

Soi Ekamai 10 is about 1 km from the junction. Turn right into Soi Ekamai 10. After another 300m, turn right at the second sub soi.

There's a signboard for Ban Chang Thai at the junction of this sub soi. Approximately 50m after turning into sub soi 2, you'll see the center on the left, marked by another signboard.

It's quite a long walk in, about 1.3 km. You may want to take a taxi from the station. Otherwise it can be quite a rigorous walk.

The center is open to visitors every day. Opening hours are from 0800 – 1700 hours. 

Contact information

Acharn Kridakorn Sodprasert

Tel no: + (66) 2 391 3807

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