The study trip to Bangkok, Thailand, proved to be an enriching and insightful experience for students from the BA (Hons) in Fashion Marketing (BFM) programme

The five participating BFM students – Fion Chong Xiao Bing, Michelle Chan Jia Yan, Izzah Khaireena Binti Ibrahim, Wan Nor Khaliq Azfar Bin Wan Noraidil, and Nur Arinah Binti Bakhtiar, accompanied by their two dedicated lecturers Grace Soon Tet Suan and Sharifah Mazwari Bt Syed Mohd. Bakar delved into a comprehensive itinerary from 21 – 25 October 2023, exploring the vibrant intersections of art, culture, and design in the “Land of Smiles.”

The first day commenced with a journey into the heart of Bangkok’s artistic scene, visiting the Bangkok Art & Cultural Centre and the Jim Thompson House Museum for a deep dive into branding and cultural studies. The exploration continued with material sourcing and merchandising excursions to Pratunam area, including Platinum Mall, Krung Thong Plaza, and Pratunam Market. The day concluded with a focus on visual merchandising and branding at Siam Center.

Subsequent days unfolded with a balance of academic and practical engagements. Highlights included visits to Chatuchak Market and Thrift shops for hands-on material sourcing experiences, exploring pop-up store retail and layout design at Jodd Fairs, and immersing themselves in the rich offerings of Sampheng Market and Phahurat Textile Market.

The trip also featured visits to the renowned Chulalongkorn University, where the students had the opportunity to engage with the Social Initiative Exhibition and tour the Hi-Tech Library of the Architecture Faculty. Additionally, the group explored innovative exhibitions like “New Reality: The Assets of Creativity” and gained valuable insights at the Thai Creative & Design Center (TCDC) & Material Library.

The study trip to Bangkok proved to be a transformative experience for the students. Beyond the academic focus, the journey instilled a sense of curiosity and admiration for Bangkok’s multifaceted creative scene.