Boats are floating, one filled with fresh flowers, the other carrying a supply of meatballs, white noodles, or sen lek, fish sauce, chilli powder and sugar. Next to that is a rice paddy, which looks about a month old.
This is neither Ratchaburi's floating market nor somewhere in rural Thailand. This is the Thailand Pavilion at the 2015 World Expo in Milan, Italy, which opened last month and will run until the end of October. The expo is one of the world's largest international shows and is more than 150 years old.
Under the helm of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand's pavilion echoes the expo's concept of "Feeding The Planet, Energy For Life", which concerns the world's rising population and efforts to stave off world hunger.
"We expect 2 million visitors throughout the six-month fair," said Olan Pituck, director-general of the Department of Agricultural Extension. "As a representative of Thailand, we want to show viewers, especially those from Europe, that Thailand has the potential to feed the world through the strength of our agricultural industry and food production."
Sunny and cool, the site of the expo is 15km northwest of Milan in the municipalities of Rho and Pero. It sees a constant flow of visitors, mostly Italians and those from neighbouring countries.
The Thailand Pavilion is situated adjacent to that of China, a stunning showcase of flower fields and an undulating roof resembling billowing wheat fields. But Thailand's design, mixing the traditional and modern, draws long queues daily.
The roof's structure was inspired by the shape of ngob, a Thai farmer's sun- and rain-beating hat, representing local knowledge passed on from generation to generation. The shape of the pavilion's mirror-covered building was inspired by the serrated base of a pagoda. Five naga heads, symbolising an abundance of water and the fertility of Thai agriculture, adorn the front of the pavilion.
"The lowest part of the building's mirrored part bends down to reflect the rice paddy below," said the Thailand Pavilion director Satit Maneepai.
"The second bends up to reflect the sky and the third, the highest section, bends down again to reflect visitors. This architectural design symbolises the significance of agriculture, nature and people."
While queuing up before entering the pavilion, shows are put on to not only entertain but also to give visitors a glimpse of Thai culture. Next to the simulated floating market and rice paddy, a muay Thai demonstration is staged, accompanied by energising Thai traditional drums and flute.
Like many pavilions, the first zone is about introducing the country to an international audience. Entitled "Golden Land", the auditorium, with 3D holograms and 360-degree projection, takes the audience through scenes of Thailand's abundance of nature, agriculture and food production, showing how Thailand could potentially be one of the world's top resources for food.
"We are here to stress that we are ready in this aspect," said Olan. "These days, people's choice about what they eat is complicated. We try to present our determination to provide that to the world."
Olan said the pavilion not only showcases food production — aspects concerning Thai culture and tourism have also been incorporated. Aside from the muay Thai show, there are also short ramwong shows and a percussion dance with a pestle and mortar inspired from the process of making som tum.
"Not only do we want to feed the world," said Olan. "We also want them to come to our country."
The next zone serves as an introduction Thailand's standard food production processing, with a special projection technique which includes the olfactory aspect — the scent of lemongrass was puffed into the room when the story of tom yum goong was presented. This section is very much relevant to the pavilion shop before exit as there are Thai ready-to-go, ready-to-cook, and ready-to-eat products on sale, from Thai fruit juice, frozen green curry, frozen mango with sweet sticky rice to ready-to-cook phad Thai sets.
The highlight of Thailand's pavilion is the last section, "King Of Agriculture". The 10-minute video in a theatre takes audiences, via special effects, through the story of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's various royal projects, from vetiver grass, which prevents landslides, to dams and cloud seeding, which have all contributed to the Thai agricultural industry.
"I want the international community to know that we are ready," said Olan. "We are confident because we have the King, who has always cared for the environment and the people."
The Thailand Pavilion's architecture was inspired by a ngob, a type of hat worn by Thai farmers.
Germany Pavilion's futuristic supermarket.
Around the world
Japan Pavilion
One of the most easily recognisable pavilions of this year’s expo, the lightly coloured structure of the Japan Pavilion is as comforting to the eye as a time spent in a Muji store. But look closer and it becomes apparent that the three-dimensional wooden grid structure required no metal couplers, instead seamlessly joining together by wood carved in a traditional method. With the theme “Harmonious Diversity”, stressing the country’s diverse agricultural, forestry and fishing industries, the pavilion’s two main sections inside are even more breathtaking. The “Harmony” section is a room with a video and projection system, taking viewers through the country’s rural scenery during the four seasons. In the live performance theatre, we are ushered into a virtual “Future Restaurant”, in which tables are replaced by a screen and chopsticks serve as a mouse.
Germany Pavilion
“Fields Of Ideas” is the Germany Pavilion’s concept. The audience is given a simple, white poster board and from there, the show is one big interactive journey. On the ground floor, the country’s research on water, climate and biodiversity are presented. Sensor technology is embedded on white stickers on the poster board, and when it is placed on a designated spot, a video is projected on it. Hand-in-hand with this year’s expo’s theme is the “Solar Tree”, an a treelike invention that turns according to the Sun’s direction. There’s also a futuristic supermarket in which a trolley-like screen is moved along shelves.
Israel Pavilion
Though the Israel Pavilion has proven to be one of the most popular selfie spots at the expo, the design is far from only aesthetically pleasing. The chequered facade is made of rice, wheat and corn, which have been grown vertically. Few countries have incorporated the core of their exhibition so well into the architecture. Because Israel is a small country with few water resources, the vertical planting project is also the plan for the country’s urban future. As if the vertical growing isn’t challenging enough, there’s also technology that monitors the exact amount of water that these plants need. The presentation inside claims that this innovation saves 70% of water and doubles produce.
United Arab Emirates Pavilion
The UAE Pavilion is testimony to why Dubai is ready to host the World Expo in 2020. The pavilion makes visitors feel as though they are in a desert, without the scorching Sun. Designed by Foster+Partners, the canyon-like construction couldn’t be any more fitting, taking visitors on a journey through the challenges of countries in the UAE, such as its water or food supply issues — and the potential solutions that scientists are working toward. Like the Israel Pavilion, the architecture correlates directly with the show’s message. Although the building looks dry and barren — mirroring the characteristics of the region — visitors remain comfortable through cutting-edge heat-reduction technology and design.
Italy Pavilion
Italy’s pavilion is unpretentious, with a white and smooth geometric maze design on the exterior that evokes the sense of an urban forest. The mirrored rooms, projecting Italy’s famed landscapes and architecture, are a transporting experience, and the “Power Of Know-How” section on the first floor is refreshing, presenting stories via video projected on sculptures of 21 people from Italy’s 21 regions who have succeeded in their careers through creativity and innovation.
Japan Pavilion's future restaurant.
