To celebrate Songkran, CentralPlaza Pinklao will take visitors back in time to witness the charm of ancient Thai cuisine and the history, art and culture of the Rattanakosin era during the "Tassana Rattanakosin" fair from today until April 16.
Held in collaboration with Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall, Pipit Banglamphu, the Coin Museum and Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University's Arts and Culture Office, the fair will feature the atmosphere of the royal kitchen of HRH Princess Saisavali Bhirom, a royal consort of King Rama V. Visitors will have a rare chance to sample several royal recipes she concocted while in charge of the kitchen back then.
There will be daily demonstrations on royal craftsmanship from 11am-6pm, a fruit and vegetable carving demonstration from today until Saturday at 11am and 2pm, and a cooking demonstration on Sunday and Monday, also at 11am and 2pm.
More than 80 famous shops from Rattanakosin Island, a historic area in the Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok, are serving savoury authentic Thai dishes and traditional desserts in a retro atmosphere.
The menu includes chor muang (streamed Thai dumplings with crabmeat and chicken), latieng (fried prawns and nut wrapped in an egg net), khao chae, pad Thai, khanom bulan dan mek, saneh jan and thong ek.
The fair offers a chance to experience the way of life of those living in the Rattanakosin period and enjoy many activities that will take visitors back to those good old days. On display will be commemorative coins produced during the reigns of King Rama V and VI and an ancient printer which allows visitors to make their own postcards.
There are also demonstrations on rarely seen craftsmanship from Banglamphu communities, such as banana-stalk carving and Thai-style potpourri making.
