CSEAS Friday Lecture Series | Lao Murals in Northeast Thailand

Bonnie Brereton, Ph.D, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Research on temple murals in Thailand has focused on those commissioned by the rich and famous—royalty, nobility, or wealthy entrepreneurs—in historic centers of power, such as Auytthaya, Thonburi, Bangkok and to a lesser extent the northern Lanna kingdom. Little has been written in either Thai or English about the unique early 20th century murals of ethnic Lao people in the Northeast, a region also known as Isan. These murals, rather than being inferior copies of those in the central region, are inspired by local Buddhist stories and practices and are executed with a verve and vision unique to their creators. Among their most distinctive characteristics are their diverse compositions and their location on the exterior of ordination halls.

Located in villages rather than provincial capitals, these humble murals are not well-known even in Isan. However, Wat Chaisi, a temple in a village 20 kilometers from Khon Kaen city is quickly becoming famous as a model of preservation, education, and Buddhist celebrations and is even being advertised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The talk will include pictures of many murals and summaries of the stories depicted.