Thailand Presents Expertise, Tradition plus Rest, along with the Perfect Reply to a Weight Loss Resort hotel _two

Alot of persons are alert to their particular wellness - using a strong-arm, mental, aroused and also spectral flat - not very much care is paid to the regions because of always-escalating stressful routines. Ace fat loss resort hotel Thailand is incredibly a lot conscious of this specific in addition to guarantees to support individuals specific of necessity. Tao Lawn is definitely pilot, so it helps to set everything in a wholesome - plus nicely balanced - position.To be sure, this news can be positively charged.

Thailand Gives Expertise, Custom and Liberalization, as well as Perfect Be managed by a diet Watering hole

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Thailand Resorts; The modern along with Hip joint to Graeco-Roman plus Common

There's huge selection regarding hotels inwards Thailand. Run a gamut through budget rearwards-packer living accommodations to five-star topology high class major resorts, there is fitting here to fit an indivdual's seems. Health spas are also very popular inside the quite a few places to stay they usually whirl outstanding serve. Going through the different types of resorts obtainable in Thailand can be an gamble inside of it where there are many tremendous discounts along with undiscovered models waiting found.

Thai Perfumeries By using Thailand Fresh Class Ways of life

Indian Perfumeries ar composed of quite a few varieties of savoury cosmetic makeup products. When i was younger, girls might wear fragrance everyday piece hands would likely liquidate approximately particular(a) events. British Perfumeries may detailed in to 4 areas as follows:one. Urine-dependent perfumeries: Nam-Ob Thai (toilet water ) as well as Nam- Proong (cologne);ii. Oil color-based mostly perfumeries : Aromatic natural oils, Tani petroleum (thick consistency petroleum), along with fresh rim unguent;III. Powdered perfumeries: Fresh talcum, Sarapee talc (siamensis Kosterm), Poung talc, Kra-jae talc, fine-grained nutmeg tree, pulverized Kamin (Curcuma domestica Valeton), along with Juang;four.

Phuket Fantasea Display Offers Substantial Escapades involving Thailand's Antediluvian Historical Life style plus Tradition

Phuket Fantasea betoken is definitely about the famous national activeness night located on the Kamala Seaside. In which bespeak provides for a wide range of opportunity to website visitors to look for the portions concerning Thailand. It really is bring out that could be mixing acquiring racket and light, a number of grocery, new domination along with superb computing machine art technological cognise-how. Hither you can enjoy Thailand's ceremonious turn up diverseness that's really especial(a). This sort of present is actually a production of Las Vegas and a combination of beautiful Native indian modus vivendi conjointly gleam illusions, air ballet, pyrotechny, gymnastic,

Bask Chat up plus Custom having Seashore Marriage Koh Samui Thailand

Many reasons exist for wherefore a seaside wedding ceremony is extremely democratic. For some newlyweds, such a wedding root is usually an easy task to prepare and more low-priced. A wedding for the seashore can be much easier while offering an increasingly romanticist ambience. If you want to enjoy all these added benefits, a seaside marriage Koh Samui Thailand is the smartest choice. Koh Samui is designed with a perfective tense background for your finish marriage ceremony. This can be a rattling amatory as well as endearing place having deep customs in addition to customs.

The particular Songkran Festival One more reason why to check out Thailand

If they ar held in fear to help spiritual objectives in addition to ethnic implication and unornamented amusement, a celebrations associated with Thailand are sure enough unique along with sinful. Essentially the most anticipated of these activities, The particular Songkran Festival, is an that includes a mix of both equally tradition and fun.Any thirteenth connected with August, folks associated with Thailand keep a Songkran Fete. Songkran, and that is with Sanskrit roots import the start of a astronomical year, is a British’s conventional New Twelvemonth.

The particular Chiang Mai Thailand Peak Festival

On the foremost few days connected with January, metropolis regarding Chiang Mai remembers with a colourful flower festival. Right at the end in the aplomb months are as soon as most of these Quite a few corporations and recruiting firms ar interested in the actual imposing promenade that is the main foreground of the Chiang Mai Fete, beatifying the floats with a lot of coloured ornamentation in addition to catching the actual imagination in the spectators using work out along with breathtakingly graphic colors, and mailing an essential environmental-tourism content at the same time as well. Lining upwards alongside a railroad station so that you can Narawatt bridge deck,

Thailand Festivals

Thailand FestivalsThailand has a countless number of festivals who's celebrates. Roughly ar paid for away from ancient customs where by people are actually created to display case thailands resources. Thailand is a country with a plentiful account and that is resembled it included in the celebrations. Here are a couple aren't to be missed. Songkran ( unexampled class)Thailand remembers its unexampled year by 04 13th to be able to August 15th. It's called your songkran inch Thailand as well as date had been earlier based upon atrological calculations. This may not be the start of this indian twelvemonth nevertheless.

Thailand - Trips in addition to Galas

Just about the most authoritative and also well-are aware of  Thailand's  holidays and also celebrations will be Songkran, a Thai New Year. This kind of takes place on the thirteenth so that you can 16th regarding 04 only formulations begin earlier. Inside the former days, masses sporty their particular homes in addition to suntan any kind of scraps no doubt which absolutely nothing spoiled stiff in the older yr for being transported advancing in to the novel delivery tough luck.On Fresh Years Day, all people should go for the topical anaesthetic monastery heraldic bearing food for thought merchandise with the monks.

Songkran Festival Pattaya Thailand Celebrations

Every year in The spring the water festival arises inch Thailand and a lot se Asian countries. It can be used to would like many pelting for any grain vegetation. Evidently this fete will be well-disposed generally in most alternative places it can be specially interesting and festive inch Pattaya Thailand. Oftentimes a little so that you can merry actually plus the destruction price on the roads addition in those times to nearly one thousand…irrespective it's actually a play festival to help get involved in.About Thais also take part in quite a few pursuits, comparable cleansing houses, making deservingness as well as big alms, releasing gulls as well as angle, bathing Buddha pictures, paid someone's aspects to folks aside pouring water system on their custody plus seeking their benefits, throwing water supply during another, along with doing alert making.

Songkran Escapade; Thailand's New Year H2O Festival

April is Songkran, a British Raw Yr. Indian citizenry observe 3 unexampled old age every year: the normal Gregorian 1 with Economy is shown i, China Novel Year, and also British Raw Year. I really like this Indian people enjoy having fun?Songkran can also be acknowledged inch Language every bit "This type of water Fete". Within the Buddhist wats, priests behaviour ceremonies pouring water system o'er folk's men spell intonation A appeal.Around the pavements, still, is when each of the action is actually.TuesdayToday,

Queen's Natal day - A Glamourous along with Gay Festivity of Thailand's Advantageously Adored Tabby

A Queen's Natal day is one of the most famed festivals inch Thailand which is so a treat pertaining to tourists in order to looker as well as receive. The following colorful and also sunny extravaganza in the birthday involving Thailand's darling Queen Sirikit is widely known for the twelfth associated with Venerable totally during the entire nation and it's declared as being a national holiday. For a mirror image from the motherly love how the British multitude tactile property in the direction of King Sirikrit,

Several Festivals In 12 , Have fun with Inward Thailand

This can be fiftieth greatest nation aside expanse where by slenderly bigger than Southern spain plus less space-consuming than Yemen. It really is 20th thickly settled state with more than 65 million populations. Greater degree involving populations can be topical anaesthetic together with lxxv% Thai, 14% Chinese language origination in addition to trio% Malay. Balance element of universe is associated with pocket-sized groupings. Thailand is new industrialized state with touristry, as well as recognized tourism places alike(p) Pattya, Bangkok, Phuket, Ko Samui along with Chiang Mai.

Wind it down and acquire a person's Groove along intended for Samui International Malarkey Medicine Fete, Thailand

A Thai tropical is as well as near idle words medicine. Seems like a winning compounding, doesn't it? Each testament combining in addition to collaborate for any in truth singular consequence in a single associated with Thailand's most favored island destinations, Koh Samui. A great idea is set up, get your channel along and read/write head as a result of the island to get a sincerely remarkable melodic experience since scented nothingness euphony leave fill Samui's air coming from September 24th-September 30th. Why Samui? With all the island's fond plus unagitated oceanic masses, sandy shorelines plus numerous palms and also stunning thrilling, careen clusters in addition to corals, it is only natural which malarkey wish this particular undoubtedly coloured tropical isle. A lot of besides realize the following connection.

Fast High-pitched from Thailand's Yearly External Kite Fast Festival

Featuring a unfastened heavens along with splendiferous cheery days all year about, even now opt for wonder of which Thailand has host to at least one of the extremely hoped-for kite fairs in the community. Peremptory a British work schedule more than few years and also reckoning, this specific capricious fete will get bigger plus punter together with apiece transitory yr. Appealing to kite lovers from all over sixteen nations around the world inwards 08 this festival makes certain an exhilarating know for the complete family. Typically coming about in the month with Border district, the two solar day outcome provides in many different activities to prevent targeted traffic in addition to players meshed in addition to enthralled. The main contest is usually contended involving the four-spot parts of the region as you move the Humankind Most significant Chula Kite Display is an additional foreground. The Pao Kites rival plus the Firm Kite Fast repugn are not regarding kite fast-flying lightweights mainly because it requires life-threatening opposition together with unfathomable skill to succeed in these kind of activities. Visitors could also wonder in the creativeness in addition to lightness in the character created kites such as the Devoid Willy Whale Kite and other inventive fauna shapes and varieties a kites meet. Previous age sawing machine the likes of a Teddy Bear Kite, Giant Devilfish Kite, Maple Kite geartrain as well as a Mermaid Kite among the it's more colourful contributors.

Activities as well as Activities connected with Pattaya, Thailand

You may for being visiting Pattaya, Thailand when before long here are several incidents and also festivals that you are apt to revel. Depending on just what season you decide to go depends upon just what activities you'll be able to advert. Here's a few celebration plus a myopic description on how they are far-famed.Songkran and also the Pallid Lai Festival- Bring a person's swim cause with this i!Within the times of thirteen-fifteenth with April, people of the residential area come together for an exorbitant effect of keeping the approaching on the novel yr by immature immersion your folks manpower along with water supply (normally odoriferous and try to unobjectionable)

Receive Thailand while using the Songkran Fete

If you are intending for being planing a trip to Pattaya, Thailand every time shortly here are a few incidents and also celebration that you'll be apt to delight. According to just what time of year going is dependent upon exactly what activities it is possible to give ear. Here are a few celebration including a unforesightful description on how these are famous.Songkran as well as the Sick Lai Fete- Fetch ones swim case for this one!On the days of long dozen-15th of Apr, multitude from the residential area come together a great outrageous consequence associated with remembering next with the young yr from the new ducking the parents workforce using H2O (usually odorous and uncontaminating) in which the folks would certainly then let them have his or her joys. Demanding pardon regarding tough works from the yesteryear geezerhood. Depending on which often realm you actually sojourn each of them fete Songkran, but flimsy variations. Some fete away washup graphics regarding Buddha in addition to setting up food for thought to the monasteries as well as monks.A Wan Lai (meaning aerodynamic H2O twenty-four hour period) Festival is a lot like Songkran, but it surely begins on the sixteenth in addition to comes to an end a nineteenth connected with Apr. They have religious actions, processions, exhibit its parents esteem, of course the particular organizing of body of water! Pattaya, Thailand is frequently blistering this time of the year therefore it is a very good for cooling cancelled.Pattaya Endurance contest - for competition!This will start in August and benefits four dissimilar marathons. These people have a total endurance contest, one-half-marathon, 25 percent marathon, along with a cycle electric chair endurance contest for those that are personally impaired, but nevertheless adore to vie.

Experience Thailand with the Songkran Fete

This Songkran festival generally means the astrology passage. Regarded as important meter of jubilation for almost all British mass. Oahu is the jubilation in the regular Thai Young Year depending on the particular horoscope wall calendars and often falls inside the month connected with 04. Your festival can be indicated and it is alone(p) due to the fact local shop confuse water system at each other and it is mostly a lot of fun. The following indicates this cleaning along with renewal regarding brain, eubstance in addition to sprightliness for your Novel Class plus it a major tradition of the mollify.

Directly Travel cover secrets and techniques for the particular Songkran Fete, Thailand, thirteenth - fifteenth Apr

Direct Travel cover help guide the Songkran Fete, Thailand, thirteenth - 15th AprilTjock dee pii mai! As well as 'Glad New Class!' inwards Thai. Your Songkran Festival, historied on XIII 04 annually throughout Thailand, grades the beginning of the regular British Young Year. The particular Songkran is actually this celebration from the March equinox much like the ones from the particular Native indian Holi Fete, your China Ching Ming, as well as Roscoe Festival of East wind. As being a democratic supplier regarding backpacker holiday insurance, Unmediated Travel Insurance offers pointed out the particular conventions you don't want to misfire this year! Now...

Chinchy Plane tickets for you to Thailand Plus the Glad, Festal Farming

Thailand would be the gorgeous Fernrrstliche land. Malay, China plus Indonesia effects are distinctly affecting the actual refinement. Bangkok will be the majuscule. Various districts wear a divers(a) climatical weather condition, only overall ar identified as tropical the weather remains smooth throughout the year as well as visitors produce cheap travel arrangements to be able to Thailand with regard to their engaging vacations. Thailand will be the country regarding idyllic numerosity in addition to ancient tradition, of calm wats or temples asset modernized urban center colourful celebrations.

Musical rhythm The warmth on the Sunbathe on Thailand Songkran Festival

Those who been viewer your staidness of your Thailand Songkran could not deny your astonishment during this special solemnization. Songkran Festival is storied in several Northerly function places just like Burma, Vietnam, Laos along with Lao Res publica. Only exactly what manufactured Thailand Songkran not the same as the opposite nation? I think it is only around the localization that will meant it was salient on the various other commonwealth. Considering that Thailand has become the favorite locations inwards Southeast Indonesia, more vacationers along with visitors are actually much of this main event.Songkran Festival is among the most awaited festivals inwards Thailand.

Thailand's Important Buddhist Days

1 Maghapuja Day

Maghapuja means "worship on the full-moon day of the 3rd lunar month in commemoration of the Great Assembly of Disciples".According to Buddhist scriptures, nine months after Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment, on the full-moon day of the third lunar month corresponding to the zodiacal sign of Capricornus, in the year 44 before the Buddhist Era, or 587 B.C., a total of 1,250 disciples of the Buddha from various places spontaneously assembled at Wat Veluvan in Magadha to pay respect to their Teacher.This meeting is considered very significant in Buddhist history because first, it was done without previous appointment and was therefore a miracle, and secondly, all the disciples had been ordained by the Buddha himself and had attained sainthood and become Arahants..

Thailand's Traditional Calendars

The first-time visitor to Thailand may register a bit of confusion as to why the timing of some important Buddhist and traditional holidays seems to 'float' across the calendar rather than occurring on fixed days each year as is customary in the West.The answer is such holidays are scheduled according to the ancient Thai lunar calendar, rather than the western Gregorian calendar which has been official in the Kingdom for many years.However, the traditional lunar calendar is very much in use for determining Thai holidays.Rural Thais still mostly count the date according to the phases of the moon, and Thai calendars distributed in rural areas commonly show both the western date together with the Thai lunar date.Astrologers also use lunar calendars to fix auspicious days for weddings, journeys, the dedication of a new house, and similar important occasions.

Thailand's traditional festivals. in November 2011

Loi Krathong, Nationwide
The water buffalo has always played a significant role in agriculture in Thailand, but in this yearly event, they can be seen in more unsual and entertaining ways than ploughing fields; namely, buffalo races and contests pitting buffalo against man.Loi Krathong, Sukhothai and Chiang Mai
It is belives that the Loi Krathong Festival orginated in Sukhothai, the first Thai capital.it is thereforce appropriate that this captivating event is held on the month amid the breathtaing ruins of the glorious ancient city.Activities include krathong floating a fireworks display, cultural performances and an amazing light and sound show.In Chiang Mai there is an unusual ritual associated with the Loi krathong Festival.This is the launching of Lanna-style hot air balloons, which are considered by local art and cultural performances, various fun-filled competitions, and local products sales and exhibitions..

Asanha Puja and Buddhist Lent

The Asanha Puja Day is one of the sacred days in Buddhism as it marks the coming into existence of the Triple Gems, namely ; the Lord Buddha, His Teachings and His Disciples.The day falls on the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the eighth lunar month (July).It is an anniversary of the day on which Lord Buddha delivered the First Sermon to his first five disciples at the Deer Park in Benares over two thousand five hundred years ago.To observe this auspicious day, Buddhists all over the country perform merit-making and observe Silas (Precepts).Some go to the temples to offer food and offerings to the monks and also listen to a sermon to purify their minds.

Sart Day

The Thai Sart Day refers to merit-making activities in the middle of the traditional Thai year, and if counted by the lunar calendar, falls on the fifteenth day of the waning moon of the tenth lunar month (usually some time during September)
The word “Sart” is derived from the Indian language, Pali, and means “season”, while in English it means “autumn”.In fact, the season of Sart or the autumn is the time at which food crops begin to ripen.However, autumn takes place only in countries which are situated above the tropical zone, such as the countries in Northern Europe, China and the northern part of India.Thus, due to Thailand’s geographical location in the tropics, the Thai Sart Day has no connection with the autumn or the ripening season at all.At this time of the year our rice has not yet ripened and only some fruits are mature enough to be eaten.Meanwhile,

Visakha Puja Day

Visakha Puja Day is one of the greatest religious holidays which falls on the 15th day of the waxing moon in the 6th lunar month.The significant celebration is held to commemorate the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death (Parinibbana)
In Thailand, as a Buddhist country with His Majesty the King as the Upholder of all Religions, this auspicious day is celebrated throughout the country.Religious flags are flown.Religious ceremonies and merit makings are performed countrywide.Meanwhile, in the countryside people will wake up in the early morning to prepare food and sweets for monks, and at dawn they walk in a long line to the nearby temple where they will spend the greater part of the day in religious activities.The activities are usually centred around the temple where they attend sermons during the day and in the evening take part in the candle-lit procession that circumambulates the main chapel three times.In the procession, each person carries flowers, three incense sticks and a lighted candle in remembrance of the Triple Gems (The Buddha, His Teaching and His disciples).On this occasion, a grand religious ceremony is also held at Phuttha Monthon in Nakhon Pathom Province where the statue of the Walking Buddha is located.Here the candle-lit procession is usually led by a member of the royal family.Buddhists from nearby and other provinces come to take part in the procession and some of them may take the time off to purify their minds through the practice of meditation and listening to the sermons.

Constitution Day thai

December 10 marks the Constitution Day which is held annually to commemorate the advent of the regime of Constitutional Monarchy in Thailand.Previously, the government of Thailand was an absolute monarchy until June 24, 1932 there was a transition to constitutional monarchy led by a group of young intellectuals educated abroad and inspired by the concept of western democratic procedures.The group which was known as “People’s Party or Khana Rasdr” was led by Luang Pradit Manudharm (Pridi Panomyong).To avoid bloodshed, King Rama VII graciously agreed to abolish absolute monarchy and handed over the country’s first “Permanent” Constitution.In fact, King Rama VII (King Prajadhipok) had prepared, even before being asked, to hand over his powers to the people.All Thai constitutions, however, recognise the King as Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of All Religions and sacred and inviolable in his person.His Majesty the King’s sovereign power emanates from the people and is exercised in three ways, namely ; legislative power through the National Assembly, executive power through the Cabinet and Judicial power through the law courts.Even though the Revolution of 1932 brought an end to the centuries old absolute monarchy, the reverence of the Thai people towards their kings has not been diminished by this change.Portraits of Thai kings are prominently displayed throughout the kingdom.On Constitution Day, the entire nation is greeted with festivity.The government offices, private buildings and most highrises are decorated with national flags and bunting and are brightly illuminated.On this day, all Thai citizens jointly express their gratitude to the king who graciously granted them an opportunity to take part in governing the country..

National Mother’s Day

August 12 is not only an auspicious occasion as the birth day anniversary of Her Majesty but is also the day on which the entire nation takes the opportunity to pay tribute to their mother-as Thai people regard the Queen as mother of the entire nation.Thus this occasion is also set aside as “National Mother’s day” which was previously celebrated on April 15 of every year.It was only in 1976 that the day was changed to coincide with the Queen’s Birthday which falls on August 12 and a white jasmine flower symbolises the mother whose love towards her children is white and pure.

Magha Puja Day

Magha Puja Day is one of the most important Buddhist celebrations which falls on the full moon day of the third lunar month (about the last week of February or early March)
This day marks the great four events that took place during Lord Buddha’s lifetime, namely ;


1.1250 Buddhist monks from different place came to pay homage to Lord Buddha at Veluwan Vihara in Rajgaha, the capital of Magaha State, each on his own initiative and without prior notification or appointment.2.All of them were the enlightened monks (or Arahantas)
3.All of them had been individually ordained by Lord Buddha himself (Ehi Bhikkhu), and
4.They assembled on the full moon day of the third lunar month.On the evening of that day, Lord Buddha gave the assembly a discourse “Ovadha Patimokha” laying down the principles of His Teachings summarised into three acts, i.e.to do good, to abstain from bad action and to purify the mind.It was unclear as to when the Magha Puja Ceremony took place.However, in a guide book of ceremonies for the twelve months written by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), it is said that, “….In the past, the Magha Puja was never performed, the ceremony has just been practised during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV)…” Having realized the significance of this day, King Rama IV ordered the royal Magha Puja Ceremony to be performed in the Emerald Buddha Temple in 1851 and to be continued forever.Later the ceremony was widely accepted and performed throughout the kingdom.The day is declared as a public holiday so that people from all walks of life can go to the temple to make merit and perform other religious activities in the morning and to take part in the candlelit procession or “Wien Tien” in Thai in the evening.At the same time, at this auspicious time, His Majesty the King will preside over the religious rites to mark the occasion at the Emerald Buddha Temple and will later lead hundreds of people in a candlelit procession held within the temple’s compound.In fact, the candlelit procession can be held at any time suitable to the public’s convenience, either in the morning or in the evening.However, in Bangkok it will usually take place in the evening at about 8.00 pm and the procession will be led by Buddhist monks.In general, most Buddhists are not aware of the significance of this day.As a result, a number of people taking part in the ceremony may be less than on other days such as Visakha Puja or Asanha Puja Days.Even so Magha Puja Day carries an equal meaning to all Buddhists..

National Children’s Day

Children are considered as the most valuable resources of the nation.They are a powerful force in the development and stability of the nation.Normally, the age of children taking part in the celebrations should be less than 14 years old.To prepare themselves to be strength of the nation, children should be industrious in their study, make use of their time wisely, being disciplined, diligent, helpful to each other, unselfish, being aware of right and duty and responsible towards the society.In addition, they should keep the country clean and conserve the natural environment and public property.If children are aware of their own future and of the nation by behaving in such a way, they will be called “Worthy Children” and the country will be prosperous.At the same time, to stimulate children to be aware of their significant role in the country, the National Children’s Day was held for the first time on the first Monday of October 1955 and continued until 1963.Then it was changed to the second Saturday of January as at this time the rainy season is over and it is a government holiday.This is still in practice today.The government has set up an organising committee to co-ordinate with several agencies in both public and private sectors to organise the celebration simultaneously throughout the country.The objectives are to enable children to realize their importance, to be disciplined, being aware of right and duty, responsibility towards the society, be proud of their country, Religion and Monarchy, and believe in a democratic system having the King as the head of state.Every year on this day, His Majesty the King gives an advice while the Supreme Patriarch gives a moral teaching.The Prime Minister also gives a slogan.This indicates that children are the most valuable resource of the nation.We often hear the saying that, “Children are the future of the nation, if the children are intelligent, the country will be prosperous.” Therefore, children should ask themselves whether they are worthy children or not.On this day, many interesting places such as the Duzit Zoo, the Army, Navy, and Airforce bases, Government House and Parliament House are opened for children to visit.Thus, all children look forward to National Children’s Day..

King’s Birthday

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great was born on December 5, 1927 to Prince Mahidol of Songkhla and Mom Sangwan.His Majesty is the ninth King of the Chakri Dynasty and the longest-reigning monarch in the history of Thailand.His Majesty the King is well recognised as the heart and soul of the Thai nation.He is held in high esteem not only by his own subjects,


but His Majesty also commands enormous respect from people in all parts of the world.Everywhere he goes, people turn up to greet him in hundreds of thousands.The manner in which His Majesty conducts himself, giving his whole heart and attention to the people, immediately linked the living symbol of the nation to the people in a bond of mutual understanding and personal affection.The main concern of His Majesty is for the uplifting of the general well-being of the people.Evidence of this can be drawn from His Majesty the King’s ceaseless efforts to visit his subjects in the rural areas.The aim of His Majesty’s visits is to learn at first hand about the needs of his subjects.To obtain such information, his Majesty has to travel many thousands of kilometres throughout the kingdom and, whenever possible, suggests ways to overcome the difficulties.These visits have led to the establishment of over 1,000 Royal and Royally-initiated projects.They are implemented by the relevant agencies of the government after having been given advice and assistance by His Majesty.His Majesty is the first member of the Royal Family to be granted a patent for an invention.The registered patent is for one of His Majesty’s “Chai Pattana Machines”-the Chai Pattana Aerator Model RX 2.The patent rights call it an “apparatus” for water treatment”, which is used for agricultural and industrial purposes and can be seen operating in many polluted water ways.Buddhism is the national religion of Thailand and His Majesty constantly shows himslef to be a convinced and dedicated disciple of the Lord Buddha.To follow the tradition of young Buddhist men to go into the monastery for a period of time, His Majesty entered the Buddhist monkhood at Wat Bovornnives on 22 October 1956.The Constitution of Thailand, however, does not prescribe the King to be only the Defender of the Buddhist Faith, but also to be the upholder of all Religions.He gives equal attention to the protection of all forms of worship and also to the problems of other religious communities in Thailand.His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great came to the throne on June 9, 1946.The meaning of his name is “Strength of the Land, incomparable Power”.Since that date he has reigned over the Kingdom of Thailand as a constitutional monarch.At the Coronation Ceremony on May 5, 1950, His Majesty the King pronounced the traditional Oath of Accession which stated: -“We will reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese people”.His Majesty’s actions since then have thoroughly reflected those words and have always been directed towards increasing the welfare and prosperity of the Thai nation.On his birthday, which is observed as a National Holiday, all his subjects rejoice in demonstrating once more their affection and loyalty to him.Religious rites are held, houses and buildings are decorated with flags, lights and his portraits.The whole nation prays to the Holy Triple Gem and all the sacred things in the universe to bless His Majesty with good health and happiness and the strength to carry on his onerous task..

The Queen’s Birthday

Her Majesty Queen Sirikit was born on Friday, August 12, 1932, as the eldest daughter of His Highness Prince Chandaburi Suranath and Mom Luang Bua Kitiyakara.Her Majesty was born with the royal title of Mom Rajawongse and her name “Sirikit”, which means “Glory to the Kitiyakara Family”, was given by His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII).Mom Rajawongse Sirikit began her studies at Rajini School or the Queen’s School and during World War II she transferred t St.Francis Xavier Convent School in Bangkok.At the end of the Second World War, her father was appointed the Thai Minister to France and Denmark and full Ambassador to the United Kingdom.She thus accompanied him and continued her education in Europe here she met His Majesty King Bhumibol.Their Majesties became engaged on July 19, 1949 and in March of the following year, His Majesty, accompanied by the Royal Family and Mom Rajawongse Sirikit and her family, returned to Thailand for the Cremation Ceremony of His Majesty King Ananda Mahidol.(Rama VII).The Royal wedding took place at 9.30 a.m.on Friday, April 28, 1950 at Sra Pathum Palace.On May 5 of the same year there followed the Coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibol.Their Majesties have four children, namely;


1.H.R.H.Princess Ubol Ratana, born on the 5th of April 1951, in Lausanne, Switzerland.2.H.R.H.Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, born on the 28th of July 1952 in Bangkok.3.H.R.H.Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, born on the 2nd of April 1955 in Bangkok.4.H.R.H.Princess Chulabhorn, born on the 4th of July 1957 in Bangkok.In 1956, when His Majesty King Bhumibol entered the monkhood for two weeks, Her Majesty was appointed as his Regent.During that period, Her Majesty performed her duties so successfully that, on the recommendation of the government, Her Majesty was given a royal title of higher distinction: “Somdejphra Borom Rajininath”
Apart from being a royal wife and mother, Her Majesty the Queen also dedicates her tireless efforts for the betterment of the Thai people and the entire nation.The Queen spends much time enefitin to rural areas to find sources of supplementary income in the off-season or in the areas affected by drought or floods.In order to help poor people in rural areas make both ends meet, The Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related techniques (SUPPORT) was established on July 21, 1976 under Her Majesty’s patronage.The foundation has achieved remarkable success, today thousands of rural folks and their families are enefiting from Her Majesty’s countless efforts and initiatives.As a tribute to Her Majesty’s boundless contributions for the happiness of the entire population and the prosperity of the nation as a whole, August 12 is now a public holiday.We join all loyal and devoted subjects of the kingdom in wishing Her Majesty the Queen a long life of good health and happiness..

Coronation Day

The coranation of the present king took place on 5 May 1950 and His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great is the ninth King of the Chakri Dynasty.On 5 May of every year, all his subjects rejoice in demonstrating once more their affection and loyalty to him by organising a celebration on his coronation day.Prior to the reign of King Rama IV (King Mongkut), there was no coronation ceremony in Thailand,


there was only a private ceremony held by high ranking officials to celebrate their Royal Regalia and positions in the 6th lunar month.A coronation, however, took place for the first time when King Rama IV was crowned on 15 May 1851.The king thought that the coronation was an auspicious occasion and, above all, several countries which have a king or queen as the head of state regard this day as an important occasion to organise a ceremony in honour of their monarch.Thus, King Rama IV issued a proclamation to organise a ceremony on the coronation day.However, the king thought that it would be difficult to explain the meaning of the coronation day to his subjects in detail, he thus allowed people to call this day as a “ceremony to commemorate the Royal Regalia”, but was quite similar to that of a coronation.On that day (the 13th of the full moon in the 6th lunar month), Buddhist monks were invited to perform a blessing ceremony and on the following day monks were invited to have meal at the Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall in the Grand Palace.During the reign of the present king, the ceremonies are performed for three days.The first day falls on 3 May in which the following ceremony will be performed; the king performs a merit-making ceremony at the Audience Hall of Amarindra in dedication to the deceased kings while Buddhist monks chant, give a sermon and perform a requiem (a ceremony to meditate and take memorial robe) on the royal ashes of the deceased kings.On 4 May, the Coronation Ceremonies begin with a proclamation of the Coronation Day read by the Chief of Brahmin priests followed by an evening chanting performed by Buddhist monks.Finally, 5 May is the actual date of the ceremony in which food is to be offered to monks and followed by a celebration of the Royal Regalia, At noon the Army and the Navy, each fires a 21-gun salute in honour of the king.On this day, His Majesty the King also presents the royal decorations to the people who have made a valuable contribution to the country..

Chakri Day

April 6 marks the anniversary of the founding of the present Chakri Dynasty of which the present ruling monarch, King Bhumibol the Great, is the ninth king.The Chakri Dynasty was founded by Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, or Rama I, who was born on March 20, 1737 with the name of Thong Duang and came to the throne on April 6, 1782.He ruled the country for 28 years.During his reign he consolidated the kingdom in such a way that there was no further fear of invasion from enemies.King Rama I has been praised as an accomplished statesman, a lawmaker, a poet and a devout Buddhist.Thus, his reign has been called a “reconstruction” of the Thai state and Thai culture.He was the monarch who established Bangkok as the capital of Thailand, and this is the most long-lasting creation which gains popularity as the “City of Angels”.King Rama I passed away on September 7, 1809 at the age of 72.King Rama I’s son, Phra Buddha Loetla Naphalai, or Rama II, then acceded to the throne.It was during his reign that a renaissance of Thai arts and culture came about, especially in literature.The King himself was a man gifted with artistic talent.Phra Nang Klao came next.He fortified the country with a strong defence force and commissoned many buildings, it was during his reign that Thai arts reached the highest peak since Ayutthaya period.It is said that the reigns of King Rama II and III constituted a Golden Age of Literature and Arts, similar to King Narai’s in Ayutthaya.King Rama III or Phra Nang Klao was succeeded by King Mongkut (Rama IV) who was a bold religious leader.He started the commercial contacts with foreign countries and was responsible for the introduction of western science and modernisation into Thailand.Then came King Chulalongkorn, the benevolent monarch.During his reign of 42 years, many changes and reforms were made in Thailand.Slavery was abolished, modern system of administration was introduced, efficient law courts were established, education was systematically spread, and the financial system was revised.King Vajiravudh, who succeeded King Chulalongkorn, further consolidated and developed what had been accomplished in the previous 40 years.He contributed much to the national language and literature so much so that he was sometimes called the poet who was a king.The outstanding achievement of his reign is perhaps a number of new treaties concluded between Thailand and other powers as it helped enhancing the prestige of Thailand.The King also introduced the use of tricolour flag to replace the old red flag with a white elephant.King Vajiravudh passed away on November 26, 1925 and was succeeded by his younger brother King Prachadhipok, the seventh king of Chakri Dynasty who reigned as the last absolute monarch.On June 24, 1932 a revolution took place and his Majesty accepted the proposal of a constitutional regime.On March 2, 1934 the King abdicated and later died in exile, leaving the throne to his nephew, King Ananda Mahidol, who after 11 years rule met a sudden death leaving the throne to his younger brother, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the present monarch.On Chakri Day, His Majesty King Bhumibol accompanied by members of royal family presides over a religious ceremony performed to give merit to the deceased rulers at the Royal Chapel, then pays respects to His Majesty’s Predecessors at the Royal Pantheon and lays a wreath at the statue of King Rama I at the Memorial Bridge.On this occasion, the Prime Minister, Ministers, high ranking officers, students, public and private organisations and people from all walks of life take part in a wreath-laying ceremony and make merit for the great kings who dedicated the best part of their lives for the betterment of their subjects..

The Teacher’s Day

In 1956 Prime Minister Field Marshal P.Pibulsongkram, who was the Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Teachers’ Council at that time, addressed a gathering of teachers from throughout the country and suggested that as teachers were our benefactors and persons who gave light to our life they should have a day of their own so that their students would get an opportunity to pay respect to them.He continued, “On other auspicious days such as New Year’s Day and the Songkran Festival we pay a tribute to both our living and dead relatives and make merit in dedication to their souls.Since our teachers play an important role next to our parents, I would like to propose the idea to this gathering and ask you to consider it in principle.I hope no one will object to this idea.”
As a result of his remarks and the welcoming opinions expressed by the teachers through the media, which reported that a Teachers’Day should be held in order to remember their significance as the ones who make a great sacrifice and do good deeds for the benefit of the nation and the people as a whole.The Teachers’ Council unanimously agreed to set up Teachers’ Day in order to hold a ceremony to pay a tribute to the teachers, to promote unity among teachers and to promote better understanding between teachers and the general public.Thus, on November 21, 1956, the Cabinet passed a resolution to announce January 16 of every year as Teachers’ Day and it was celebrated for the first time on January 16, 1957.The event has been held since then and is held nationwide.The highlights of the day include religious activities, a ceremony of paying respect to teachers and activities to strengthen unity among teachers.To express our gratitude to the teachers, we wish them and their families happiness and a good health throughout their long life..

New Year’s Day

Thailand is well-known for her festivals which take place all the year round.Most of these festivals are influenced by Buddhist and Brahminical religions, however, with the passage of time a number of them have been adopted in deference to the international practice.Actually, the official New Year’s Day of Thailand has undergone several changes.Once it used to fall at the end of November.Later, during the reign of King Rama V(1868-1910) it was moved to a date round about April and then New Year’s Day was changed to April the first.The universal practice of celebrating the new year on January 1 was adopted in 1941 in deference to the western calendar and this is one of a number of changes aimed at modernising the country.


Though January 1 is regarded as official New Year, the majority of Thais still regard the middle of April (Songkran) as their new year’s day, and on this auspicious occasion a week-long celebration is held throughout the kingdom.Most of activities on Songkran Day involve water throwing, building sand pagodas and pouring lustral water on the aged as a means of blessing.To be frank, a celebration on January 1 is not so popular as that of Songkran.Normally, before the upcoming January 1, people will exchange greeting cards and gifts.Since on this auspicious occasion, a few grand celebrations are held in the kingdom, people take this opportunity to travel upcountry to visit their relatives or spend holidays at a tourist attraction site, while those stay at home will prepare food and other necessary items to make merit on the early morning of January 1 and then take part in various charitable activities held in various places.At the same time, several companies take this opportunity to give a bonus and announce promotions to their employees who later cash money to buy gifts for relatives and friends before heading to their hometown for a long vacation.Obviously, in Thailand people celebrate New Year three times a year, namely ; the Thai traditional New Year or Songkran, January 1 and the Chinese New Year.Out of these, Songkran is the most joyous occasion which draw people from all walks of life to take part in a week-long celebration.Meanwhile, the Chinese New Year is important especially for Thai organisations will close their business for several days so that the employers and their employees will be able to celebrate the auspicious occasion with their relatives at home or spend a long holiday in a place they like..

Honey Offering Ceremony

Usually on the full-moon day of the tenth lunar month (around September or October), Thai people of Mon descent throughout the country perform an annual merit-making ceremony of offering honey to monks or “Tak Bat Nam Phueng” in Thai.Mon people believe that since honey is abundant in the summer time (the fifth month),


but during this period it is rare, thus if they offer to the monks at this time, they will receive great merit.The ceremony thus has been practiced since the time of their grandparents.On this day, Mon residents will gather at a nearby temple with their offerings.Men and women of all ages, dressed in their traditional costume, bring with them honey, savoury food and luk yon, a special offering made for this event.However, due to the scarcity of honey at this time of the year, Mon residents in some communities have replaced it with white sugar.Meanwhile, in the old days all household would prepare their own luk yon.But today people can buy ready-made luk yon from their neighbours.Those who prefer to make their own luk yon will soak sticky rice in water before cooking it in coconut milk and adding black beans, then wrapping the mixture in phong leaves or screw pine leaves (Bai Toei).After tying each packet into a triangular shape with banana string, it is then steamed.The honey offering ceremony begins in the early morning.The monks’ alms-bowls are placed in three rows outside the temple compound; one for rice, one for luk yon, and the other one for a variety of savoury dishes.Honey is to be offered after that.A line of bowls is placed in the temple hall to receive honey.After all offerings are made to the monks, the monks then eat luk yon with honey.The ceremony ends after the monks give a blessing chant to the merit-makers who then retire to their home.

Kathin Ceremony

With the end of the 3-month Rains Retreat (about July to September), monks throughout the country are free to move from place to place and are eligible to receive new robes in an annual presentation ceremony called “Thot Kathin”.Besides new robes, Buddhist literature, kitchen equipment, financial contributions and building materials e.g.nails, hand-saws and hammers etc.are also presented to monks on this occasion.In fact, the word “Thot” means “making an offering to the monk” and the word “Kathin” literary means the “embroidery frame” used in sewing the yellow robes which, in those days, were collected from rags on dead bodies in the jungle since clothes were not available in plenty as nowadays.Buddhist people regard the “Thot Kathin” ceremony as the most significant form of merit-making nest to the ordination of their close kin.Thus, once in their lifetime everybody is looking forward to having an opportunity to be the sponsor of a Kathin ceremony as it involves a lot of time, manpower and expense.Above all, an advance booking must be made with the temple, otherwise, the chance to be a sole sponsor of the Kathin may not be possible especially with the reputable temples.Nontheless, those who fail to be the sole sponsor of Kathin can also take part in the ceremony which, in this type, is known as “Kathin Samakki” or the “United Kathin”.Meanwhile, for the royal temples such as the Temple of Dawn or the Reclining Buddha Temple etc.The King or his representatives will be the sponsor of the ceremony, and usually His Majesty the King himself will present the royal Kathin robes to the Buddhist monks of Wat Po (The Reclining Buddha Temple) and other leading temples in Bangkok especially the famed riverside Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn).


On this special occasion, the king will take a journey on board the Royal Barge accompanied by a colourful fleet of escort barges along the Chao Phraya River from the Wasukri Royal landing stage to Wat Arun.The grand waterbone procession of the royal barges is the most beautiful event and visitors to Thailand should not miss a chance to take a glimpse which will remind them of Thailand forever.Sometimes a Kathin group will travel for several hundred kilometers by bus, train, boat or even by plane to present the Kathin robes and other necessities to monks in remote temples or in other countries where Buddhist temples are established.People thus hold this merit-making festival not only for earning merit for themselves but also for enjoying a fun-filled holiday free from the daily hectic life full of stress and strain in the city.During the Thot Kathin period, it is very common to see Kathin processions traveling to and fro throughout the country.In fact, anybody can take part in the event through the simple method of enclosing a small amount of money in the white envelope given by friends or relatives.It is to be noted that Kathin and Pha-pa (or the Forest Robe or a robe left for the monks to take as a discarded cloth) are totally different from one another, in other words, while the Kathin ceremony can be performed only once a year and only after the end of the Rains Retreat, the Pha-pa ceremony can be performed all the year round and at any time suitable.In addition, while each temple is allowed to accept the Kathin robes only one time in a year, the Pha-pa robe can be presented to monks as often as possible.Evidently, the Pha-pa ceremony is less significant than the Kathin ceremony which requires greater preparation.Thus, the Kathin is treated as one of the most significant religious events and can take part from the king to the poor people in rural areas..

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony

The annual Ploughing Ceremony usually takes place in May every year at Sanam Luang near the Grand Palace in Bangkok.The ceremony has been performed since ancient times and designed to give an auspicious beginning to the new planting season.In fact, the Ploughing Ceremony is of Brahman origin and it was practised even before the birth of Lord Buddha who, then a Prince, used to take part in the ceremony.The auspicious day and time are to set by the Royal Brahman astrologers.Nowadays, although Their Majesties are present at the ceremony, the King no longer takes the leading role, His Majesty the King appoints the Ploughing Lord as his representative to carry out the rites.During this colourful ceremony, the amount of rainfall to be expected in the coming season is forecast.The Ploughing Lord is offered a choice of three lengths of cloth, all looking identical, if his choice is the longest one there will be little rain during the coming year; if it is the shortest one, rain will be plentiful while the one of medium length indicates average rain.After donning the piece of cloth, called “Panung”, the Ploughing Lord then ploughs furrows in Sanam Luang with a sacred plough of red and gold drawn by sacred white bulls and followed by four consecrated ladies who carry gold and silver baskets filled with rice seed.Walking alongside the plough are Brahmans who are chanting and blowing conch shells.When the ploughing is finished the bulls are presented with seven different foods and drink, i.e.rice seed, beans, maize, hays, sesame seed, water and alcoholic liquor.Whatever the bulls choose to eat or drink, it is forecast that this will be plentiful during the year.After the ceremony has ended, the crowds scramble for the seeds sown by the Ploughing Lord as the seeds are regarded as things that twill bring the owners wealth and good luck.The farmers will mix the see.

The Phi Ta Khon (Ghost Festival)

Phi Ta Khon is a type of masked procession celebrated on the first day of a three-day Buddhist merit-making holiday known in Thai as “Boon Pra Wate”.The annual festival takes place in *May, June or July at a small town of Dan Sai in the northeastern province of Loei.Participants of the festival dress up like ghosts and monsters wearing huge masks made from carved coconut-tree trunks, topped with a wicker-work sticky-rice steamer.The procession is marked by a lot of music and dancing.The precise origin of the Phi Ta khon is unclear.However, it can be traced back to a traditional Buddhist folklore.In the Buddha’s next to last life, he was the beloved Prince Vessandorn.The prince was said to go on a long trip for such a long time that his subjects forgot him and even thought that he was already dead.When he suddenly returned, his people were over-joyed.They welcomed him back with a celebration so loud that it even awoke the dead who then joined in all the fun.From that time onward the faithful came to commemorate the event with ceremonies, celebrations and the donning of ghostly spirit masks.The reasons behind all the events is probably due to the fact that it was held to evoke the annual rains from the heavens by farmers and to bless crops.On the second day, the villagers dance their way to the temple and fire off the usual bamboo rockets to signal the end of the procession.The festival organisers also hold contests for the best masks, costumes and dancers, and brass plaques are awarded to the winners in each age group.The most popular is the dancing contest.Then comes the last day of the event, the villagers then gather at the local temple, Wat Ponchai, to listen to the message of the thirteen sermons of the Lord Buddha recited by the local monks.Then it is time for the revellers to put away their ghostly masks and costumes for another year.From now on, they must again return to the paddy fields to eke out their living through rice farming as their forefathers did.

The Giant Cat Fish

Every year, at Hat Krai Village of the northernmost province of Chiang Rai between April and May, Thai and Laotian fishermen will be very busy casting their 250-metre long nylon net to catch the Gian Catfish in the Mekong River
The Giant Catfish is known in Thai as “Pla Buk”.This giant of freshwater and the King of Mekong River can grow up to 300 kilogrammes and 3 metre after 15 years.During this period of the year as it is the mating season the fish will migrate up the river to spawn.Unfortunately, on the way they become the victims of the deathtrap laid by the fishermen of the two countries.In fact, before catching the fish, the Brahmin rituals must be held in order to please the Father-spirit of Pla Buk.It is believed ceremony.After performing the rituals, Thai and Laotian fishermen will build temporary bamboo shelter on their respective islands.After each crew has offered a chicken and local-made liquor to the guardian spirit of their boat, they then burn a special herb to drive away the evil ghosts from the net.Not the hunting begins.The fishing rotation is decided by a draw.Everybody is waiting for his turn enthusiastically and immediately after a Thai team has gone, a Laotian boat is ready to push off.It is said that the problem in its flesh is good for nourishing the brain much more than any other animal protein and it is also believed that whoever tastes the fish will have a long life and become clever.So its meat has become favourite and expensive dish served in leading restaurants in nearby province and also in Bangkok.Each season about 25-30 giant catfishes will be caught by fishermen of the two countries.The fishing season also attracts a lot of attention from both local and foreign tourists who are enthusiastic to see the freshwater monster.Unless the fish faces extinction, the fishing season will be carried on from generation to generation of both countries.

Yee Peng Festival

Yee Peng is the annual festival held to celebrate the full moon in the northern capital of Chiang Mai on the day preceding Loy Krathong by one day in November.The word “Yee Peng” is the northern Thai term referring to the full moon of the 12th lunar month in the Buddhist calendar.The festival is celebrated as a religious event in which local people throughout the region make merit and other religious activities.The highlight of the event focuses on the launching of the Khom loy or floating lanterns into the night sky with the belief that misfortune will fly away with the lanterns.It is their belief, if the lanterns are made and offered to monks, they will receive wisdom in return as the flame in the lantern is said to symbolise knowledge and the light it gives will guide them to the right path of their lives.Meanwhile, “Khom loy” is a Thai word signifying the floating lantern which is a large balloon – like made from a light bamboo frame covered with saa (mulberry) paper.It floats by means of hot air heated by a flaming torch fixed in the balloon.During the event, both day and night local people and monks are closely involved with the Khom making process.Besides, the premise of large hotels, the temple compound is thus the appropriate venue for the launching of the Khom.The activity has gained such popularity that at the height of the event the flight training of the Royal Thai Air Force has to be suspended until all the Khom loy have dispersed while all commercial air traffic at the airport has been warned to exercise extreme caution as the climbing lanterns could pose a danger to the jet turbines.To celebrate the auspicious event, companies and private individuals make merit by sponsoring ballons to dispel bad luck and seek good fortune.If their balloons rise high and travel far, this indicates prosperity.It has been said that this kind of hot air balloon could rise to heights of up to 1,250 metres and travel even as far as Hat Yai District of the southern province of Songkhla.The most spectacular event is held at the Thapae Gate area where local and foreign visitors can see floats, marchers and beautiful Yee Peng queens.As the night falls, the spectators will be excited to see the long strings of Khom loy rise gently into the limitless sky as they stimulate the participants’ spirits to rise higher to the heaven.This brings joy and happiness to the merit-makers since their ill – fortune has been floated away.

The Poy Sang Long Festival

The Poy Sang Long is a three-day celebration of Buddhist novice ordination which usually takes place in late March or early April of every year in the Thailand’s most north-western province of Mae Hong Sorn.The festival is the custom and tradition of the Shans or Tai Yai an ethnic Thai tribe who migrated from northern Burma and then inhabited most of Mae Hong Sorn.The Tai Yais have a strong devotion to Buddhism, and to follow their age-old tradition the young boys between the age of 7 and 14 will be ordained as novices for a period to learn the Buddhist doctrinces and to gain merit for their parents.It is believed that the tradition is probably to follow in the footsteps of Prince Rahula, the first Buddhist novice who was the Buddha’s own son.The young prince gave up his worldly life to follow his father’s spiritual teachings.The festival is rich in colour and display making it a most exciting event that draws residents of the entire province to take part.Prior to the arrival of the three-day festival, the boys have their heads shaved and are then bathed and anointed with special waters.They are dressed up in jewelled finery and their faces are expertly made up.These boys are known as the “Jewel Princes” or “Look Kaew” in Thai.In the early morning of the first day, the celebration begins with a procession around the town.Accompanying the procession are flutes, lutes, fiddles, drums and cymbals.In the procession, each boy is accompanied by three attendants ; one to carry him, another to shelter him from the sun with a tall gold umbrella, and the third to guard the precious jewels.The Boys are led to visit relatives and friends and then join the communion lunch.After the feast, relatives and the elders tie white threads around the wrists of the boys to protect them from evil spirits.Thus ends the first day of the event.On the second day, the same procession again takes place.This time, the procession includes offerings for the Buddha, other necessities for monks and a horse symbolising the vehicle of the spirit of the city pillar.In the evening, after having dinner, there is the rite of calling “spirit” or “Kwan” in Thai and a verbal recitation to prepare the boys for the actual ordination in the following day.The last day begins with the procession of the boys to the temple for ordination.At the temple, the boys ask permission to be ordained from the senior monks.Once accepted, the boys then take vows, change the princely attires to yellow robes and become full novices.The greatest event then ends here.The Poy Sang Long Festival attracts a large number of Thai tourists and has now become popular among foreign tourists as well.

Chinese Vegetarian Festival

This annual auspicious event is a most colourful and dramatic celebration which takes place during the first nine days of the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar.The 9-day event is usually in late September or early October.The origin of the festival is unclear.However, it has been passed from generation to generation that it originated in the south-eastern part of China near Fujian Province.The festival was celebrated to make merit and save animals from being killed for food.In Thailand, the most talked-about vegetarian festival is in Southern Province of Phuket where the auspicious ceremony is held in a grand celebration.During the 9-day period, the devout Chinese Buddhists dress in white attire, convert to vegetarians and observe the ten rules in order to purify their minds and bodies.Besides a strict vegetarian diet and temple offering, some highlights of the 9 – day event include incredible acts of self – mortification such as climbing knife – blade ladders, walking on hot coals, a ritual of bridge – crossing and a street – procession in which the mediums in a state of trance have their cheeks pierced and bodies spiked with various types of sharp objects.The entire atmosphere is full of religious frenzy with the ear – splitting sound of firecrackers and lion dances.In the evening of the last day event, the main road of Phuket Town is turned into a path of din and smoke of firing crackers.All the local residents participate in the event.Visitors to Thailand should not miss an opportunity to visit Phuket during the auspicious event.

Rocket Festival

Rocket festival or “Boon Bang Fai” in Thai is usually held in the second week of May of each year, at the beginning of the rainy season.The farmers are ready to cultivate their paddy fields.The festival is popularly celebrated in the northeastern provinces of Yasothorn and Ubon Ratchathani.The celebration is an entreaty to the rain god for plentiful rains during the coming rice planting season.The festival itself owes its beginning to a legend that a rain god named Vassakan was known for his fascination of being worshipped with fire.To receive plentiful rains for rice cultivation, the farmers send the hope-made rockets to the heaven where the god resided.The festival has been carried out till these days.Under the guidance of Buddhist monks, it takes the villagers weeks to make the rockets, launching platforms and other decorations.An average rocket is some nine metres in length and carries 20-25 kilogrammes of gunpowder.* ธัมมจักกัปปวัตนสูตร
In the afternoon of the festival day, rockets are carried in the procession to the launching site.Villagers dressed in colourful traditional costumes attract the eyes of the onlookers, who line up along the procession route.Before ignition of the rockets, there will be more singing and dancing to celebrate the festival.The climax of the festival is the ignition time.One by one the rockets are fired from the launching platforms.Each liftoff is greeted by cheers and noisy music.The rocket that reaches the greatest height is the winner and the owner of this rocket will dance and urge for rewards on their way home while the owners of the rockets, that exploded or failed to fly, will be thrown into the mud.The celebration is a communual affair of the villagers who come to share joy and happiness together before heading to the paddy fields where hard work is waiting for them.

The Moon Festival

The Chinese Moon Festival usually takes place on the 15th day of the eight lunar month (in September or October).The Mid-Autumn Festival is held in honour of the Moon Goddess which is believed to have been born on this date.However, the historical fact about the origin of the festival is still unclear.Some say that the great Han dynasty emperor Wu Di initiated a three-day celebration to worship the autumn moon.Many, however, argue that the festival, in fact, originated around 1368 during the Mongol’s domination of China.The cake was made to hide a secret message of the rebellion to tell people across the country of a large gathering during the eight lunar month.The Mongol army was not aware of the rebellious purpose, they thought that the cakes were an old tradition.They, thus were defeated that night.After a new dynasty named Ming was set up, the practice has been carried on till these days.Besides these historical facts, there are also many myths and legends, one of these is that of Siang-Ngor (Some says Chang-E) Siang-Ngor was very beautiful.She was the wife of a high-ranking Chinese officer.After taking a magic medicine, she flew up to the moon and lived there.She later became immortal after consuming the immortal water given to her by a certain Goddess in heaven.Siang-Ngor the Moon Goddess was said to be very kind.When the cultivation season arrived, she would pour immortal water to the earth and this brought prosperity to all farmers.To express their gratitude to the Moon Goddess, farmers thus made Khanom go (or sweetmeat) from rice flour as an offering to her on the full moon night of the eight lunar month.Since chinese festivals usually involve special delicacies to be given as offerings, on this occasion, Moon cake is specially made as an offering.This Chinese delicacy is, however, hardly a cake in the western sense of the world.In Thailand, the art of Chinese style cake was brought to the country by Chinese immigrants almost 100 years ago.The original Chinese Moon cake included such ingredients as red beans, five types of Chinese nuts and ground lotus seeds and so on.Thailand has its own variations of including durian, chestnut, and persimmon.Additional ingredients may include lotus seeds, salted egg yolk and watermelon seeds.It is to be noted that the ceremony is usually conducted by women as people believe that the moon is uniquely associated with female diety.Thus, powder and cosmetics are also offered with the hope of bringing beauty and beautiful skin to the entire female family members.Whatever the scientific progress may be, it will never make any impact on traditional beliefs and festivals which have been passed on from generation to generation..

Songkran Festival

“Songkran” is the Thai traditional New Year and an occasion for family reunion.At this time, people from the rural areas who are working in the city usually return home to celebrate the festival.Thus, when the time comes, Bangkok temporarily turns into a deserted city.The festival falls on April 13 and the annual celebration is held throughout the kingdom.In fact, “Songkran” is a Thai word which means “move” or “change place” as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac.It is also known as the “Water Festival” as people believe that water will wash away bad luck.This Thai traditional New Year begins with early morning merit-making offering food to Buddhist monks and releasing caged birds to fly freely into the sky.During this auspicious occasion, any animals kept will be set free.Paying homage to one’s ancestors is an important part of the day.People will pay their respects to the elders by pouring scented water over the palms of their hands.The elders in return wish the youngsters good luck and prosperity.In the afternoon, after performing a bathing rite for Buddha images and the monks, the celebrants both young and old, joyfully splash water on each other.The most-talked about celebration takes place in the northern province of Chiang Mai where Songkran is celebrated from April 13 to 15.During this period, people from all parts of the country flock there to enjoy the water festival, to watch the Miss Songkran Contest and the beautiful parades.In Bangkok, the Buddha image “Buddhasihing” is brought out from the National Museum for people to sprinkle lustral water at Sanam Luang opposite the Grand Palace..