Nearby Islands

The Kingdom of Somchai’s Affection

Insightful social commentary or handprints on an arse?  You decide.

Insightful social commentary or handprints on an arse? You decide.

On Koh Chang there isn’t anything other than the odd patch of graffiti that could class as public art.   It’s a bit of a creative wasteland. However, things are different down on Koh Mak.

Khun Somchai was an artist from the ‘Mon’ community who made his home on Koh Mak in the distant, pre-tourism past.   He died some years ago, but his rickety old wooden house and workshop, and several of his scultpures are still there for visitors to admire.

One view is that his works mirror his perception about affection in art and individual freedom.   Another would be that Somchai was a bit of an old perv who cracked up after living on a small island for so long.

The photos here are the tamer ones, as I’m sure you don’t want to be explaining to your boss why you’re spending your time at the office staring into the anatomically correct crotch of statue of a naked woman on all fours. “I’m just planning my holiday to Thailand. Honest.” Yeah, that’s what they all say.

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Koh Chang Island Guide For Independent Travellers