These stoic but colorful figures were loitering with no intent behind a mall in Chiang Mai.
Keeping the peace … and quiet
I came across these stern-faced figures in back of Chiang Mai’s oldest shopping mall. Behind the massive complex is a large green courtyard with fountains, a large Buddhist “spirit house” shrine, and a rarely used event space.
Apart from the small morning farmer’s market held once a week (or less frequently), this courtyard is one of the quietest spots in the neighborhood, if not in the entire city.
Done and gone
While I was taking my favorite short-cut through the courtyard one day, I saw these five little papier-mache figures looking over the event space. (Actually, only the one in the center seemed to be “looking,” while the other 4 had their eyes closed.)
It’s unclear what those figures were doing there. Whatever it was, they seem to have done it properly and finished their task. When I passed through the courtyard a few days later, these little guys had moved on.
