If you love art, craft, and garden, the Secret Art Garden in Thailand is one of the places you must visit.
It has been many years since I came across an exciting place like this. A huge thanks go to Tourism Thailand, who organised our exploration of outer Bangkok, which brought us to visit this fantastic place, among many other places here in Khao Yai.
Secret Art Garden at Khao Yai
The Secret Art Garden in Pak Chong was created by owner Surinder Sonthirati over 30 years ago when the land was barren and empty.
He painstakingly took his time and converted this plot of 10-acre land to become one of Thailand's hidden secrets - The Secret Art Garden. This, of course, was done with passion and love from him and his family.
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| As you enter the place, these guys greet you. |
His objective was plain and straightforward; he shared his passion for art and garden in one place in Pakchong, Thailand.
Over the years, Khun Surindr dedicated himself to planting over 1000 trees while his wife and three children assisted in the whole place's art, crafts and decorations.
If you walk around the compound, you will be easily mesmerised by the little details they pay attention to. This is something that not many people look into nowadays.
If you walk around the compound, you will be easily mesmerised by the little details they pay attention to. This is something that not many people look into nowadays.
There are several art workshops and shops for those into art. Creative art using antiques is also displayed around the garden, where the family members create all of the work.
Walking over wooden bridges above man-made ponds takes you on a journey similar to Alice in Wonderland, where cute garden clay dolls and other craft figurines are seen all over the premises, which are unnoticed if you do not keep an eye out.
Walking over wooden bridges above man-made ponds takes you on a journey similar to Alice in Wonderland, where cute garden clay dolls and other craft figurines are seen all over the premises, which are unnoticed if you do not keep an eye out.
This is before you journey into another world of the secret garden here.
The secrets unfold as you slowly enter the central archway, where a wooden sign hangs above the iron-cast black gate. This is where the 'secret garden' is located and hidden from the naked eye.
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| Entrance to the Secret Art Garden. |
You see the basic art and decoration outside the premises, where the whole experience is found behind the iron cast doors.
As you go on the Secret Art Garden Tour, Khun Surindr will walk you through the many sections of his wonderland, showing you the many different art styles and decorations he has collected and created over the decades.
As you go on the Secret Art Garden Tour, Khun Surindr will walk you through the many sections of his wonderland, showing you the many different art styles and decorations he has collected and created over the decades.
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| Some of the beautiful and cute art decorations are here. |
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| Owner and his wife |
He has art in paintings, plants, clay, mosaic, metal, stone and even the prized Petrified Wood, from which a huge life-sized elephant is made.
A restaurant and cafe are available for anyone wanting an authentic Thai meal here, while local Thai coffee and ice cream are also available.
Khun Surindr once used to run a 'stay program' at some of his showcase private cottages, but he no longer offers this service.
One of them is also called the Writers Cottage overlooking a beautifully landscaped pond were staying here inspires you for your writing.
He obtained the idea from a visit to the United States over 20 years ago, and dreaming of owning a cottage like this came true when he made his own private cottage here.
Khun Surindr once used to run a 'stay program' at some of his showcase private cottages, but he no longer offers this service.
One of them is also called the Writers Cottage overlooking a beautifully landscaped pond were staying here inspires you for your writing.
He obtained the idea from a visit to the United States over 20 years ago, and dreaming of owning a cottage like this came true when he made his own private cottage here.
Asking Khun Surindr, what inspired him for the Secret Art Garden, he calmly replied, "It was my dream to have a secret garden, and now you're here in it".
The businessman is semi-retired now and spends most of his time entertaining and educating visitors about art and gardening with his wife and children.
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| Art created by flower pots and plants. |
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| Small sheep figurines lay on the grass. |
Along the tour, you will also come across a Japanese-themed house, a very English garden and a unique rainforest garden.
The tour lasts about an hour, and Khun Surindr speaks good English. I love how he also uses some antiques to blend in with nature, and his art is very creative if you ask me.
Most of all, the little sculptures caught my attention as everywhere I went, there was something to spot, in the grass, on the trees; they are just about everywhere.
For those wanting to participate in classes, you can do so by arranging with the owners. They offer clay pottery, painting and a few other art classes here.
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| View from the Writers Cottage. |
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| Some of the cute art was spotted along the walk here. |
While I was overly impressed with this place, I took too many photos here; therefore, to see more beautiful pictures of the Secret Art Garden, see my Malaysia Asia Facebook Album.
Secret Art Garden
99 Moo 9 Soi Tesabarn 28 Klangdong Pakchong
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
Telephone: (66) 044993939-40
Facebook: Secret Art Garden
Opening Times: 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
Opening Days: Open every day except Wed
Opening Days: Open every day except Wed
Entrance Fee: 60 Baht
Secret Art Garden Map
View สวนซ่อนศิลป์ Secret Art Garden, เขาใหญ่ in a larger map.
Conclusion
Located in a tranquil area of Pakchong in Nakhon Ratchasima, this beautiful place is about two hours from Bangkok.
This trip is also part of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's initiative to promote tourism products around outer Bangkok and Thailand.
You can either self-drive here or use a tour company service to get here. The Secret Art Garden is also close to the Khao Yai area. Again, this place is highly recommended for anyone who loves art, craft and garden.
You can either self-drive here or use a tour company service to get here. The Secret Art Garden is also close to the Khao Yai area. Again, this place is highly recommended for anyone who loves art, craft and garden.