Thailand Stories

Happy New Year 2011! I hope everyone had fun celebrating last night and managed to get safely back home. This time of year is really dangerous on the roads and I prefer to stay at home rather than travel to other provinces. Too many drunk drivers out there. However, the big exodus from …

Darkest Isan (where decent thais fear to tread), Part Seven If I had a baht for every time, back home and in the far east, I’ve been told or read how Buddhism is different, it’s a religion of tolerance and enlightenment…

At Sriwittayapaknam School this morning, students from every grade took part in a competition for Thai manners. What they had to do was walk around the playground and then act in the correct manner for each situation. I am not sure about you, but I find in general that Thai people have very good manners. I am …

It’s a Nun’s Life. Thailand and Myanmar, a comparison “Buddhism’s not really for Women…………. they can’t make merit.” As Lo Win my Burmese Buddhism sceptical motorcycle taxi driver I hired for the day in Mandalay put it, while I snapped the…

Today marks the start of the Vegetarian Festival in Thailand. In Samut Prakan it runs from 7th to 17th October 2010. We went to Thong Siang Vegetarian House in Samut Prakan to watch this opening ceremony. The event was a signal for the nine Gods to come down to earth. Something similar happened all over Thailand…

Various religious groups, government agencies, private organizations, and the general public have joined hands in merit-making as a tribute to His Majesty the King during the Buddhism week from July 22 to 26. The period is in observance of Asalha Puja Day, which coincides with July 26 this year. …

Young Thai hill tribesmen walk towards Wat Benchamopit, also known as the Marble Temple, before a mass ordination, in Bangkok July 18, 2010. About 300 boys will enter monkhood for a period of three months to study Buddhist teaching during Buddhist Lent which falls during the rainy season. The ceremony was sponsored by the Foundation for the Promotion of Buddhism among people living…

While I was exploring the BRT route I came across this fascinating museum near Wat Pariwat. I have never heard about it before so thought I would go in and take a look. The museum is opposite BRT Wat Pariwat so it is now …

The three most important holy days of the year for Thai Buddhists all include the word “Puja,” which means to pay homage. Asanha Puja commemorates the day the Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. Makha Puja marks both the occasion when…

Thailand has quite a few ethnic minorities. One of these groups are the Mons which have their own distinct culture, clothing and language. They originally came from Southern Burma where they were once rulers of their own kingdom. Due to persecution …

I recently visited Ancient Siam in Samut Prakan for their Guan Yin Festival. The Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara represents the spirit of compassion and is highly revered among the Chinese and other nations such as India, Tibet, Korea and Japan. The events at Ancient Siam started with paying respect to the female image at…

The grounds of a Buddhist temple in Thailand have a variety of buildings of all shapes and sizes. At first glance their use might seem to be random. But, there is one building, called the “phra ubosot” which is not only the most sacred but also has distinguishing features that makes it…

Traditionally, in Thailand, when a Buddhist dies, their body is cremated and then the bones and ashes are collected and are either kept at the temple or at home or sometimes both. However, there is a third option which is seemingly becoming more popular these days. It is called “loi angkarn” which …

During the school holidays in Thailand, it is common for Thai students to ordain as novice monks for a short time. In the olden days, before there were government schools, poor boys would ordain in order to get an education. However, these days, their parents want …

During the school holidays in Thailand, it is common for Thai students to ordain as novice monks for a short time. In the olden days, before there were government schools, poor boys would ordain in order to get an education. However, these days, their parents want them to ordain for a short…

Many activities will be held both in Bangkok and the provinces to celebrate the 8th cycle or the 96th birthday anniversary of His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch, from late September to the end of October 2009. The Supreme Patriarch will turn 96 on October 3. For Thai people, the 8th cycle is an important milestone of life and a …