Art and culture are intrinsically linked; both are a product of human beings who create based on their belief and knowledge as well as truth of life. Art and cultural values can be expressed in different forms, ranging from religious, history, politics and administration to aesthetic beauty. Accordingly, the Journal of the Thai Khadi Research Institute vol. 20 no. 2 publishes eight research and academic articles reflecting the value of art and culture in  different social phenomenon.

            Phra Pairee Pinas: Adapting Javanese Buddhist Art to the King Rama IV Style by Dr.Sarun Makrudin. This article deals with Phra Pairee   Pinas, a significant Buddha statue at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, Bangkok.     Received by His Majesty King Mongkut (Rama IV) when Rama IV was abbot of the temple, it resembles in style Dhyani Buddha statues at Candi Kalasan, Klaten, Java, Indonesia, of the late Central Java era (from the eighth to ninth century CE). The article goes deeply in details of the statue’s history, its Buddhist arts and the artistic design adapted to the style of the era of Rama IV.

            Cultural Reproduction of Legendary Phra Buddha Sihing – Phra Singh Narratives in Contemporary Thai Society by Karakkada Bunwichai and Poramin Jaruworn. This article collects reproduced cultural information about legendary Phra Buddha Sihing- Phra Singh narratives in the context of contemporary Thai society and ideologically analyzes the reproduction.  Documentary and fieldwork data were gathered from October 2019 to June 2021, along with supplementary analytical information online and from   other related fieldwork. The principle of cultural reproduction was used as guidelines for data analysis. Results reveal stories behind the cultural      reproduction of legendary Phra Buddha Sihing narratives; some stories are consistent, others are different.

            The Influence of Ayutthaya Style on Burmese Buddha Statues of the Ava Kingdom by Sura Piriyasanguanpong. This article analyzes Burmese Buddha statues of the Ava Kingdom in style, origin and development.      Analytical results indicated connections with artistic style of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in diverse seated and standing Buddha statues without royal attire. These findings suggest that the unique style of Burmese Buddha statues of the Ava Kingdom evolved from Bagan dynasty and possibly Ayutthaya      influences, underlining the international impact of Thai art stylistics in    neighboring countries.

From Devandha Jataka to Thewan Kham Kap: An Adaptation of the Pannasa Jataka Tale to Kap Folklore by Nattha Khamchoo. This article studies the history of two literatures: Devandha Jataka in Pannasa Jakata and Thewan Kham Kap poem, and the story behind the adaptation of Devandha Jataka into Thewan Kham Kap poem. Findings reveal that Thai elite poets skillful in literary adaptation have employed diverse techniques in creating a new version of literary work from old  narrative or literature in accordance with social contexts at the time.

The Meanings and Lessons Learned from the Story of Being an Arahanta of Phra Ongkhulimal by Tiamjit Puangsomjit. This article studies meanings and lessons learned from Phra Ongkhulimal’s story of being an Arahanta based on search in the Tripitaka Canon and Atthakatha. Results were that the life story of Phra Ongkhulimal occurred due to Karma over several lives. An important lesson learned is that everyone should control their body, words, and mind in achieving a personal Kamma.

            Western Influences on the Performance of Thai Dance: A Case Study of Striptease in Thailand from the Second World War to 2021 by Nareerat Phinitthanasarn. This article studies: 1) the history and context of Western influence on Thai dance performance through a case study of   striptease from the Second World War to the present; and 2) artistic and overall ideal perspectives regarding striptease ensembles in Thai society. The results provide an insight into various aspects of the strip dance, especially its primary elements of performance: the purpose in creating the event;  exhibition venue; and an audience seeking to   recognize aesthetic  origins of the work in addition to entertainment.

            From University Back to the Kitchen: Representations of Women and Male Anxiety in Modern Dikir Music of the Southern Border Provinces of Thailand by Pichet Saengthong. This article studies the representation of women in modern dikir music performed by popular male singers in Southern border provinces of Thailand from 1987 to 1997. Results were that songs constructed views of women as opposites of men, through virtuous patterns based on patriarchal discourse defining values of good wives and mothers confined to the domestic sphere.  Activities in public were taboo. Ideal femininity was related to traditional societal values more than modern society.

Knowledge, Power, and Feng Shui Expertise in Thai Society by Pinyapan Potjanalawan. This study contextualizes the current state of feng shui in physical space management as well as the cultural dynamics of feng shui practice in Thailand. In the late 1980s, feng shui began to impact private and public spaces, nationally dominating economic operations and political strategies. The author proposes that feng shui was akin to life coaches or space coaches who resolve personal problems by employing astrological instruments as well as space management.

            Last but not least is Book Review of Suphasit Son Ying Phinit, an essay by Dr. Wanwiwat Rattanalam on an old Thai literature and a Thai national textbook Suphasit Son Ying, literally ‘Women Etiquette Book’. Presenting her article in English, Rujeeluck Seelakate, the reviewer, gives a summary of the book’s contents and background along with a critical   assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. The book’s strengths are its well-organized contents, the analytical study of values and relevance of old etiquettes in the context of contemporary Thai society and culture, and a clear and thorough research methodology used by the author. Meanwhile, the weaknesses addressed by the reviewer are a lack of the biography of Suphasit Son Ying’s true author and a lack of comparative study between Suphasit Son Ying and other Thai women etiquette books.

            Finally, we at the Thai Khadi Research Institute are grateful for all papers submitted for publication in the Journal. We wish to continue providing an academic forum for a variety of art, culture, people and    disciplines in the hope that the production and dissemination of new   research works on those subjects will benefit not only academic circles but also the public as well.