CHIANG RAI, Thailand. A sprawling rice paddy in northern Thailand has been transformed into a breathtaking canvas of vibrant art, featuring a red dragon, a local feline deity, and depictions of dogs and cats. Tanyapong Jaikham and his team created this living masterpiece as a tribute to the devastating floods that struck Chiang Rai and nearby areas in September, leaving thousands stranded.
Spanning over 2 hectares (5 acres), the intricate designs were meticulously planned using artificial intelligence to plot and refine the outlines, and GPS technology to mark precise planting coordinates. Around 20 kilograms (45 pounds) of rainbow rice seeds were used to bring the images to life.
Tanyapong, who began the project in October, explained the symbolic choice of the dragon and the local four-eared, five-eyed feline deity. “We designed the dragon to carry away all the negativity, hoping this crisis would soon pass,” he said. The inclusion of dogs and cats represents the animals trapped and waiting for rescue during the severe flooding that submerged parts of northern Thailand.
Since the artwork’s debut in December, thousands of visitors, including students, families, and local residents, have flocked to the rice fields to witness the stunning imagery and draw inspiration from its message of hope and resilience.
Farmer Tanet Mala, reflecting on the impact of the floods, shared, “We couldn’t make a living at all. Everything was like a sea.”
This unique blend of agriculture and art celebrates the community’s recovery and highlights the creative spirit that thrives even in the face of adversity.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
