Creative San Pa Khoi District Project Had the opportunity to interview Mr. Aom Ichaya Aksornsophonphan. Real San Pa Khoi people Born and raised here and are proud to call themselves “San Pa Koinian” (San Pa Khoi people)
Come listen to the story of San Pa Khoi through the eyes, memories, and thoughts of the San Pa Khoi people. Tell stories from the hearts of insiders who want outsiders to get to know them. and fell in love with San Pa Khoi with her
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Let me tell you a little bit about my childhood. What was San Pa Khoi like at that time?
Aom would like to tell the story through the eyes of a 42 year old person. Born here, lived here all my life. It can be said that you should see it at every moment of San Pa Khoi, but your childhood memories may be missing sometimes. It can be summed up in 3 words: calm, comfortable, good business. The memorable image is of bustle during the daytime. Each store has customers coming in and out all the time. But in the evening after closing time there is calm. Most importantly, it's quite convenient because our house is in the city. Traveling anywhere is easy. Close to the market, close to schools, close to hospitals. Adults talk about this matter so often that they remember it. If you count the generations, Aom is the 3rd generation heir living in this area. The first generation were the Agong who came to settle here.
When Mr. Uncle Gong came in Where did you stop? Before arriving at San Pa Khoi
Grandma once told me that Agong is a Teochew Chinese who came to Thailand. Passing through Cambodia and then heading to Thailand via Chanthaburi or Trat. I'm not quite sure about the province that I came from. From the immigration documents, it is known that Agong came in the year B.E. 1946, just a moment before World War II. This document has unclear letters and the numbers may be incorrect. Aom thinks that they may have been Chinese immigrants from the last period because soon the Thai state organized and controlled Chinese immigrants according to historical documents. It was considered lucky for Uncle Gong to come in before the change. Agong's entry into Thailand probably had the same reasons as other Chinese people in that era. As for choosing to come to Chiang Mai, it was probably an invitation from friends who had come to live there before. In the beginning, Agong went to live in San Pa Tong District for a while. He worked as a gardener and ice cream peddler until he met his grandmother there. Then they got married and moved to settle in San Pa Khoi. Of course, during that time the economy of the San Pa Khoi area was at its most prosperous. There were many bosses born in that era, and various barons were all in this area.
At that time, at Ban San Pa Khoi, what business was Akong doing?
After moving to San Pa Khoi, I have not yet started a business at this time. The first phase of living like a newly settled Chinese person is to do general work and do all kinds of trading. Grandma sells everything at every festival. Ah Gong unfortunately had a short lifespan. Got into a road accident and got hit by a car first. At that time, there was a new road cut at the Children's Court intersection. I wasn't born in time. I've never met Ah Kong. Coming back to the business, it started to build its status in the second generation, created by two women who were the pillars of the house: Tuagou and Yigou The business has continued until the present. Baan Aom's main business is Selling government lottery tickets, doing a full service, both wholesale. Retail sales and purchase of prizes We have been doing this business for over 50 years. The name of the shop is "Je Cheng". We are still doing this business. Currently, we have an accommodation business and buildings for rent.
I know that Khun Aom used to collect information on the history of the San Pa Khoi area. and organize activities to tell old stories Make an exhibition about these matters. Why are you interested in doing it?
Loneliness is the starting point when I have to come back to work at home and have to take care of my grandmother who is starting to get sick from old age and congenital disease. Having worked outside the home before Especially the last job I did before resigning was a really fun job with a lot of activities to do and travel. We have to find fun and relieve loneliness. Boredom in everyday life for myself, which I discovered is to take a walk. In the beginning, he still lived on the upper floors of the store. The daily routine is to open the shop at 7:00 a.m. and close the shop at 6:30 in the evening. It's like this every day for a week. During the time after the store closed, I chose to take a walk. Then I started to enjoy it. Whenever I had free time, I had to go out and look at things around me, whether it be the architecture of houses, shops, as well as secretly observing the various activities of people in the area. Everything was interesting. Photographs are taken and recorded for personal viewing. We define ourselves as observer If asked which building do you like? Which buildings are in the area? I'd like to name 3 buildings: the W.P.T. 2 building, which is quiet and cool. The really cute building in the area is the Paw Made cafe. The most charming building is What I love most is the two-story wooden house next to Krungthai Bank. Every time I look at it, it's like magic. It is probably the only wooden house left in the area. Every spot we passed saw beauty. The cuteness hidden in the building The person and the surrounding context Can't help but think that under those things There should be a story for us to find. In addition, there is one thing that is very interesting about the area: the identity of the people here reflects the area quite a bit.
Even though I graduated with an accounting degree, I like reading books and am interested in community history. Along with getting to know Auntie Or Sri Prakasat, he was given the opportunity to join in organizing activities at the Sri Prakasit Ishi event this year. 2018 therefore brought some records to organize into activities. During the activity I also wrote some small stories on my personal Facebook page. Or on the family business's accommodation page? Both activities and writing stories are done with passion. Having just organized this activity for the first time, there are many shortcomings as well. The content is not dense and focuses too much on personal fun.
When I showed myself to be doing activities or being interested in the area, it made me realize that there were people who were interested and wanted to tell about the area as well. I was very lucky to have the opportunity to get to know Ajarn Angkhan Sukcharoen, who is also a resident of Chin's house. (Chintassanee Cinema in the past) Aside from Auntie Or, there was this Achan Tuang who recorded the past and past stories.
It shows that he has seen San Pa Khoi all the time.
If you say it like that, that's right. That's right. I've lived here all my life. I consider myself a true fan of the area. It's like you can tell just by smelling it. Where is it? Whether it's the pungent smell of shallots, garlic, as well as the pungent smell of agricultural chemicals. Including the fragrant aroma of the food, I remember it from watching the San Pa Khoi area, which many people say is a quiet area, just a way into or out of the city for many people. In fact, there is movement. all the time And various commercial activities are proceeding normally. Over the past 4 - 5 years, new shops have emerged and various cafes have gradually sprung up to replace the old businesses. Of course, changes follow the times. Traditionally, friendship might involve pouring tea to drink. But today it might be inviting each other to drink coffee in a cafe instead.
From what I have observed and felt, what do 'San Pa Khoi people' look like?
Looking at their appearance, whether they are older than us. Friends of the same age as us, we will see many people who look rather chubby, but are very proud of the city. Until I couldn't help but feel like this area was Lanna Chinese or not. I don't want to generalize that everyone is of Chinese descent. It's just that many of our surrounding people have this type of personality. But now if I called myself, it would be All "Chiang Mai people" are now "city people" but can still worship according to tradition and worship the ghosts of grandparents and grandparents as well. As it is a commercial area The same routine was repeated every day: in the morning the shop opened, in the evening the shop closed, in the evening it was at someone's house. Eat and then sleep to save energy for waking up to continue working in the morning. The characteristics of the people in this area are therefore highly individualistic, loving peace and solitude. Looking at it from outsiders' eyes, it may appear that we are quiet and introverted people. From observing the adults in our surroundings, it is Association when going to the temple Socialize together when going to the market The adults know each other quite well. As for our generation, we don't know each other much anymore. If you have never studied or played together before Many friends, if their family doesn't have a business or chooses not to continue their original business, choose to move out and live somewhere else. In the area, there are only old people left in the generation of Agow, Apae, Agong, and Ama who keep the shop, which results in a quiet and still area.
In the feelings of the San Pa Khoi people How much area does the San Pa Khoi area cover?
If you answer using your feelings and personal opinions. Not sure about the correctness I think that if traveling from the old city, crossing the Nawarat Bridge, it is the San Pa Khoi area. Or if traveling from the Super Highway through the Nong Prathip area As soon as you pass the train station, it becomes San Pa Khoi. It is assumed that the north side of the area should lead to Dara School. If I'm not mistaken, I've seen pictures that the bus waiting area in front of McCormick Hospital still has a screen on the roof saying, "Group of young people from Wat San Pa Khoi" who passed by and now cannot be seen. As for the southern part, it should go all the way to Kawila Camp. I secretly thought that I would just ask the people in this area which faith they belong to. If you get the answer that it is faith in Wat San Pa Khoi, then ask where the house is. That's enough to deduce the territory of San Pa Khoi. One community, one temple is the answer.
The identity, value or image of San Pa Khoi in your view
Simplicity The answer is the identity of the people in the area. From observing many people in the area, including my own family. Most of them lead a simple life, adhering to the principle of "Be content with what you have. Be happy with what is.” Living comfortably, being able to trade is the end.
In the story of San Pa Khoi's memories The first picture that floats is probably about delicious food. In the past, if you were looking for delicious Chinese food, this area was always talked about. Both things sold in the market or things to eat on the side of the road. Nowadays, it's an old shop like Wikun Salapao. It is still known as being good. Delicious food in the area that everyone must stop by as usual. Michelin-starred Khanom Jeen in the Golden Market, which many people like and has become a favorite shop for Chiang Mai people as well as a shop pinned by tourists. Fried bananas, queue card Aunt Toi's fried pork with chili paste that many people buy as souvenirs In the evening there is a Moo Krata Oil Oat shop. A la carte restaurant called Pad Thai Phichit Noodle Man Shop or Bua Loi Khai Wan Restaurant These shops have been around for a long time and are famous. In the early morning there is also an old coffee shop in the area called “Poached Egg Coffee Shop” that sells delicious custard bread in addition to selling tea. Old school coffee and old school breakfast Not too far away is a herbal fried chicken shop under a tree that you shouldn't miss. Then during the day you can still walk around the area along Charoen Mueang Road to find delicious food as there are many cafes to choose from according to your tastes.
The next picture that is seen is A good second-hand clothing store that people around Aom's age will know that there are many shops in the market to choose from. As for car parts Engine materials, machinery, and mechanic's tools are also available for purchase at many stores. Including many good and famous car repair shops hidden in the area as well.
I want to invite you to go back in time to the memories you had when you were a child. What was San Pa Khoi like that day?
Personally, I think it was when I was a kid or now. What remains the same is the atmosphere of commerce. Both sides of Charoen Mueang Road are full of shops. Whether it's an auto parts store Agricultural chemical material stores, restaurants. As a child, I felt that no matter how comfortable life was, it still is. If you want to eat delicious food in the area, there are many to choose from. If you want to buy good ingredients and seafood to cook at home, there are many to choose from. Any kind of equipment can be bought in the market. If you don't have any, you can just drive across many places to buy things at Kad Luang by hired pedicab, which we feel is very convenient. Grandma really likes using the service. At night, although it's not as lively as during the day because it's not an area that moves 24 hours a day, you can still come out and buy food when you're hungry.
Changes that can be seen and remembered well
Around the past 5 years, we've seen a clear change as many cafes have gradually sprung up in this area to replace the old traditional shops. This has made this area get talked about a lot, from the past it was just a pass-through to go somewhere else. It is known to a specific group of people. It is now more widely known as a must-stop pass. Part of the change in the store business may be because the original business had to go out of business because there was no one to continue it. or unable to continue due to the reasons of the era Or even have to move out of town because of the convenience of transportation that is not crowded like Limsakdakul Agro Chemical Shop. The place where we sit and talk is under the Limsakdakul Building, which in the past sold agricultural equipment and chemicals. Now the owner of the building has allocated space for people to rent to do business. There is a cafe called Flo coffee brewers and a pastry shop called Aili Bakery, which is very good in terms of bringing life back to a 100-year-old building, like breathing life into it. At the same time, it has become a promotion for the neighborhood to have a good atmosphere. Attract people's attention to look at the beauty of old buildings. and are aware of their value to the point of wanting to maintain and preserve old buildings, ancient buildings
When we did activities to talk about neighborhood values. Have you ever thought that the destination will create change? Or what changes do you expect to have with the area?
I really expect it. It is expected that there will be connections and relationships with people in the area until there is a community gathering in the old city area to determine the direction for joint development. Because we cannot stop the time of change, but we can determine and predict the possibilities for developing the area together. In order to make the living of both the old people of the area and the new people smoothly. and became a creative space
What does the picture of your dream community look like?
I want it to maintain the charm of San Pa Khoi. It's both simple and not flashy, and can be styled. There is a harmonious coexistence that is consistent with the lifestyles of old people in the area and new people who come to do business. However, as mentioned above. that there must be discussion and mutual requirements first Owners of rental assets may have to select tenants who are already in the area. In order not to destroy the good atmosphere that already exists and not disturb the happiness and peace of the old people in the area. Although changes occur with the times, it is a pleasure to see that people are interested in this area. At the same time, we must preserve the values of the neighborhood. Respect the value of the legacy that previous generations left behind.
However, if I have the opportunity to save, I want to be another person who joins in recording the story of the neighborhood and telling it to others.
