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Jao Por Tap Chinese Parade

Posted on January 24, 2010

The Chinese people of Samrong in Samut Prakan Province believe that their God Jao Por Tap will help them get rich. Behind Imperial World, on the old Paknam Railway Road, they have built a large Chinese shrine dedicated to this God. Every year, on the last Sunday of January, they hold a parade through town which is attended …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Jao Por Tap Chinese Parade at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Children’s Day in Samut Prakan 2010

Posted on January 09, 2010

The annual National Children’s Day for Thailand took place today. Children are considered as the most valuable resource of the country. There is a Thai saying that goes, “Children are the future of the nation, if the children are intelligent, the country will be prosperous.” …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Children’s Day in Samut Prakan 2010 at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Making Good Luck for New Year

Posted on January 01, 2010

Judging by these photos that I took early this morning, not everyone was nursing hangovers after welcoming in the New Year at midnight last night. Like thousands of other local people from Paknam, I was up early at 6 a.m. to head down to the City Pillar where the main road through town had been closed for a merit …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Making Good Luck for New Year at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Thai Orchid Festival 2009

Posted on December 31, 2009

Some of the best orchids in the world can be found in Thailand. They grow here easily and can also be bought at a good price. However, with over 1,000 species of orchids in Thailand the price can vary from cheap to extremely expensive. If you are interested in…

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Thai Orchid Festival 2009 at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Christmas in Thailand 2009

Posted on December 25, 2009

Sriwittayapaknam School in Samut Prakan put on Christmas activities for their students on the morning of 25th December 2009. As the students arrived at school, they were greeted by Santa Claus and a couple dozen fairies. The young fairies handed out candies …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Christmas in Thailand 2009 at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Siam Niramit Cultural Show in Bangkok

Posted on December 17, 2009

One of the most spectacular cultural shows in Bangkok is undoubtedly at Siam Niramit: Journey to the Enchanted Kingdom of Siam. So many people had been talking about it on the Paknam Web Forums that I thought that I should make an effort to go and see it for myself. It is a big show…

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Siam Niramit Cultural Show in Bangkok at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Anniversary of King Rama VI’s Death

Posted on November 25, 2009

Today marks the anniversary of the death of King Rama VI on November 25, 1925. As this King is regarded as the “Father of Thai Scouting”, schools all over the country took part in a special ceremony to celebrate his life and to remember the day he died. Mr. Surachai Kanasa, the Governor of Samut Prakan, presided over …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Anniversary of King Rama VI’s Death at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Loy Krathong Sai

Posted on November 16, 2009

This year I have been to several Loy Krathong Festivals. The first was Loy Krathong Jay which was held back in October during the Vegetarian Festival. Then the normal Loy Krathong during the full moon of November. Then, this weekend I went to Loy Krathong Sai at Bang…

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Loy Krathong Sai at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Chinese Dragon Dance

Posted on October 28, 2009

After nine days and nights of eating a vegan diet and keeping the 10 precepts, the Vegetarian Festival in Thailand is finally over. The festival ended with a large parade through the town of Paknam early on the morning of 27th…

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Chinese Dragon Dance at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Loy Krathong in October

Posted on October 24, 2009

Everyone knows about Loy Krathong that happens on the full moon in November. However, not many people know that we have another Loy Krathong in October. The phrase “loy krathong” means to float a bowl shaped container. It is not a festival like Christmas which celebrates a particular event. You can …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Loy Krathong in October at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Boat Parade on Gulf of Thailand

Posted on October 22, 2009

One of my favourite festivals in Thailand is undoubtedly Luang Phor Pan Worshipping Festival in Bang Bo District of Samut Prakan. I went last year for the first time and had no idea what to expect. There were so many surprises that I had a really…

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Boat Parade on Gulf of Thailand at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Festivals and Holidays in Thailand in 2010

Posted on October 20, 2009

People are already planning their holidays in Thailand for 2010 and so we thought we would help out by letting you know the dates of the main events and holidays. I know so many people keep asking “When is Loy Krathong in 2010?”. The answer is below. 1…

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Festivals and Holidays in Thailand in 2010 at Thai Culture Blogs

Vegetarian Festival in Samut Prakan

Posted on October 17, 2009

Today marks the start of the Vegetarian Festival in Thailand. I went to Thong Siang Vegetarian House in Samut Prakan to watch this event. The ceremony was a signal for the nine Gods to come down to earth. Something similar happened all over Thailand today. …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Vegetarian Festival in Samut Prakan at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Traditional Sports at Phra Samut Chedi

Posted on October 12, 2009

The Temple Fair in Samut Prakan has now reached its fourth day. Today is the 8th day of the waning moon of the 11th lunar month. On this day every year, the local people from Phra Samut Chedi District come together to compete in various traditional games. The event was presided over by Mr. Surachai Khanasa, the…

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Traditional Sports at Phra Samut Chedi at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Sacred Red Cloth Ceremony

Posted on October 09, 2009

Today saw the start of the 182nd Phra Samut Chedi Temple Fair in Samut Prakan. This takes place every year five days after the full moon in October. It goes on for twelve days and twelve nights and includes mandy sideshow games…

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Sacred Red Cloth Ceremony at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Phra Samut Chedi Worshipping Ceremony

Posted on October 08, 2009

Mr. Surachai Khanasa, the Governor of Samut Prakan Province, took part in a ceremony this morning to announce to the Gods and Angles in Heaven that they will be holding the annual Worship Fair for Phra Samut Chedi. During the ceremony, they also sought good luck for the period of …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Phra Samut Chedi Worshipping Ceremony at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

The Lotus Throwing Festvial in Bang Phli

Posted on October 03, 2009

One of my favourite festivals in Thailand is the Rap Bua Festival in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan. I usually go every year now. In English, the festival translates as “Lotus Receiving Festival”. However, it has another name in Thai which I think describes it more accurately. This is “Yon Bua Festival” which translates as the …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: The Lotus Throwing Festvial in Bang Phli at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Boat Racing at Bang Phli

Posted on October 02, 2009

Towards the end of the Rainy Season, people from all around Thailand come together to race boats on their local canals and rivers. At Bang Phli, where we went this morning, this happens a few days before the end of the Buddhist Rains Retreat. At this time, the …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Boat Racing at Bang Phli at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Cultural Activities to Stimulate Confidence in Thailand

Posted on September 28, 2009

The Ministry of Culture has planned many cultural activities to promote Thai culture and stimulate confidence in Thailand among international tourists and investors. Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch said that Thailand, in the eyes of in the world community, is a…

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Cultural Activities to Stimulate Confidence in Thailand at Thai Culture Blogs

Muay Talay Sea Boxing

Posted on September 07, 2009

Everybody knows Muay Thai which is the popular Thai boxing sport known around the world. This version that I went to watch at the weekend at the Bang Phli Riverside Market in Samut Prakan is called Muay Talay. This translates as “sea boxing”. The rules are …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Muay Talay Sea Boxing at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand



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