A Complete Experience of Thai Culture – Rose Garden Resort

Text & Photography by Li Xinyi

The owner of Rose Garden Resort (Rose Garden Riverside) was once the first mayor of Bangkok. He bought a piece of land at the current resort location back then, and the whole family lived there. They planted their favorite roses near their home, attracting many visitors. In 1965, the Rose Garden Restaurant was built here. Gradually, with the increase in tourists, the restaurant evolved into what is now Rose Garden Resort. The resort places great emphasis on environmental protection. Over 30 years ago when it was established, it had sewage treatment facilities. Its swimming pool is still one of only three non-chlorinated saltwater pools in Thailand. When swimming, you don’t even need to wear goggles for fear of dry eyes.

The resort not only covers a vast area but also offers a wide range of activities. Early in the morning by the Tha Chin River, locals prepare food to offer to monks who come by boat to receive alms. Thai people have deep faith in Buddhism, which is deeply rooted in their culture. Actually participating in the almsgiving allows you to better feel the influence of this religious power on Thailand. In the past, villagers would mix all the food together in the monks' bowls, which was unhygienic and could easily cause discomfort to the monks. Now the resort provides prepared almsgiving sets, each containing rice, water, and flowers, for visitors to experience the tradition. Those interested can inquire with resort staff. The entire process is full of serenity and joy. Afterward, the monks offer blessings to the crowd, then pick up their paddles and slowly glide along the tranquil Tha Chin River toward their next destination.

Besides the almsgiving experience, to benefit local villagers, the resort has set up a small market where people can sell their self-woven bamboo baskets, homegrown produce, or small potted plants. In addition, there's also a famous Thai floating market. Canoes laden with fresh vegetables and fruits wait along the riverbank for sale. The reds, greens, yellows, and oranges pile up in the boats, alongside the friendly and simple faces of farmers waiting to trade. Even when we photographers suddenly intrude on their business space, snapping photos of this rare scene, they just smile shyly at the lens. Through the viewfinder, photographers often see a different world. In Thailand, besides beautiful scenery, there’s also impressively warm hospitality.

Rose Garden Resort features a Thai Cultural Village, which hosts two different performances each day. The morning shows mainly feature Thai dance. Visitors sit inside traditional Thai wooden buildings to enjoy Thai dance, Muay Thai, sword performances, harvest dances, and Thai-style weddings. In the afternoon, the focus shifts to Thai cultural experience activities such as rice planting, flower garland making, pottery, painting paper umbrellas, Muay Thai instruction, banana dessert making, and herbal sachet crafting. Various activities are divided into sections, each guided by experts on-site. Visitors can choose the ones they’re interested in to participate in.