Committee of Thewphaingarm School and the Woodland Project.
Imagine Siam in 1868. It is nearing the end of the reign of King Rama IV who embraced Western innovations and initiated the modernization of his country, both in technology and culture—earning him the nickname “The Father of Science and Technology” in Siam. Britain and France are still colonial powers. America has just ended her civil war. The automobile and airplane are distant inventions. Siam is remote and mysterious.
In this setting my great-great grandmother ‘Nang Inn’ bought part of the Woodland Muangmai’s land on the river. It has been passedon to my great grandfather ‘Captain KhunPrabPhonRaun’ and then to my grandfather, ‘Kam-Nan Ra Sri,’ who was the subdistrict Headman of Don Fag and HuayPluesubdistrict for 40 years. My father and motherNarong andUsaThewphaingam are the current patriarch and matriarch of this land, and what is now the Woodland Project.
The Thewphaingam family especially my Father have long had a passion for all types of wood as well as carvings made of wood. The first pieces in the collection were old wooden poles and small wooden carvings. Four generations of my family have collected wood in all it’s natural and artistic beauty for over 150 years, but until now very few people have actually seen the collection.
Only guests of honor of the Thewphaingam family had been permitted to view the collection in the past. Many of those that saw the collection suggested that these treasures should be available for public viewing.
The Woodland Project was thus launched with the goal of educating the viewer about the art of wood carving and to foster an appreciation for the art form displayed. My father has dedicated his energies, hearts and souls to the construction of the Woodland Muangmai. Majority of the wood carvings have been gathered by him. Starting in 2008,I, Dr. Nattakrit Thewphaingam (son of Narong and Usa) have devoted all my energy to the Woodland Project. With the intent to continue the work of my parents, I have modified the project to be accessible and interesting to visitors of every age and nationality.
With a reclassification of the collection into 20 categories and 10 groups, I have incorporated the carvings into an adventure story called ‘Tales of the Wood’. The museum experience has been further enhanced with light, image and sound, and there is also a tree-man mascot named ‘Grandpa Teak’, inspired by my grandfather, Kam-Nan Ra Sri. Grandpa Teak is the narrator of the journey through Woodland enhancing the experience for visitors of all ages and cultural backgrounds. Audio foreign language translations are also available to guide guests of many cultural backgrounds through the Woodland experience. Open since January 2015, development continues with a Homeopathic Resort and water activities at Woodland Muangmai. With a rich history and an eye to the future, the Woodland Project was a private home turned into a tourist attraction full of color and fun, and the beauty of art and nature.
