The Little Tea Shop That Became a Public Space

In the basement of Chamchuri Square, there exists a small tea shop named CiliC. It is a location that often goes unnoticed, as many spaces in the area are now taken over by chain stores and franchises. Independent coffee and tea shops like CiliC are becoming scarce. The shop has been owned by P’Ink, an individual who has managed the establishment for over eight years.

Initially, CiliC was one of the pioneering cheese tea shops in Thailand, capable of generating around 20,000 baht daily at its peak. However, nowadays, sales on certain days barely scratch the surface of that figure. Despite the decline in business, CiliC holds significance for me due to the transformation P’Ink has facilitated within the shop.

Over the years, the tea shop has served as a venue for various activities such as board games, flower arranging, Korean fan meetings, gatherings, book launches, and discussions. Sam Yan Press has organized events at CiliC, discussing topics like Wittgenstein and the philosophy of war, with nearly sixty individuals attending at times.

The cost of these events was minimal, as P’Ink charged little to nothing. Additionally, the Morning Glory Collective, which focuses on worker issues around the Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine, has received support from P’Ink. Together, they developed a pomegranate tea recipe to raise funds for workers.

CiliC has evolved into a space that fosters connections among people who might not otherwise interact. It is not uncommon for a customer to become a friend or for a student to attend a discussion, subsequently organizing their own. In essence, CiliC functions as a laboratory of coexistence, where individuals from different walks of life can encounter one another.

The tea shop's impact extends beyond its primary function, as P’Ink quietly contributes to the civic and social fabric of Sam Yan without receiving much recognition for her efforts.