Tung Na-Pa Tan: The Folkway Learning Center for Cultural Landscape of Rice field and Sugar Palm Tree, Phetchaburi

Harvesting rice fields alternated with sugar palm trees  is the traditional practice for farmers in Phetchaburi Province to earn their living throughout the year. Rice fields with toddy palm trees on the ridges, “Tung Na - Pa Tan” in Thai, became the distinctive  landscape identity of Phetchaburi Provice for over centuries and has made Phetchaburi famous for its palm sugar. The unique heritage of Phetchaburi has subsided substantially after the rapid urban developments in the past few decades.

The project focuses on developing strategies to create a sustainable future for “Tung Na - Pa Tan” and the farmers of  Phetchaburi, as well as educating the local wisdom through the landscape and creating the ecological balance between the farmlands and native species in the ecosystem. It proposes a public space to maintain the social bonding in the community, an educational area to pass on the local heritage to the young generations,    and a place to explore the new technologies for the future of traditional  agriculture. The project integrates the cultural heritage of Phetchaburi, and the study of community land-use patterns, agricultural plots, topography, and transportation. Derived from the existing pattern of rice field, through pictures of Cultural landscapes, the design illustrates the unique characteristics of sugar palm trees in the rice fields in the fertile lands of Phetchaburi from every perspective.  “Tung Na - Pa Tan”, the cultural heritage of Phetchaburi will always maintain its prestige as a priceless legacy  to people in Phetchaburi from now on.