The Phi Ta Khon

The Phi Ta Khon
Pi 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 overjoyed. 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 organizers 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 come 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 revelers to put away their ghostly masks and costumer 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.

Hill tribes in Thailand

Hill tribes in Thailand

The word "hill tribe" refers to ethnic minorities living in the mountainous regions of the northern part of Thailand. Each hill tribe has its own language, customs, mode of dress and spiritual beliefs. Most of them migrated to Thailand from Tibet, Burma, China and Laos during the past 200 years or so.

It is estimated that in Thialand there may be up to 20 different hill tribes whose total population is about 550,000. Out of these, the six dominent hill tribes include Yao, Kren (Kariang), Akha (I-Kew), Lahu (Musoe), Hmong (Meo) and Lisu (Lisaw). The hill tribes usually grow rice, corn and other agricultural products on the mountainsides. Though in the past some tribal groups such as Yao, Lahu, Hmong and Lisu used to grow opium, now with the encouragement of the royal-initiated project, they trun to earn a livelihood through the cultivation of temperate fruit crops like apples, strawberries and other cash crops sush as kidney beans, coffee, vegetables and flowers. At the same time, the hill tribes are also encouraged to stop destroying forest through slash-and-burn cultivation.

It is quite easy to see that each tribe and village have their own preference in the styles and designs of their houses, but in general the houses are built in two basic designs, either on the ground with beaten earth floor or raised some feet off the ground on stilts. Materials used in the construction are commonly bamboo poles, split bamboo, wooden poles, planks and thatched roofs of grass and largs leaves such as palm leaves.

At present, contacts and trade between tribal people and the lowlanders are quite frequent. Meanwhile, the new tribal generations are exposed to life of the outside world as they come down to pursue their studies or get jobs in city. Therefore, when we visit tourist spots in the North, we will see that there are many tribal people selling their hand-made products and souvenirs. Some of them can speak good English as well. The new tribal generation seems to live in a better life than that of their forefathers whose life was isolated from the rest of the world.

Thai silk

Thai silk is an ancient home industry. It was for a long time an occupation of people in the Northeast of Thailand, where cloth weaving is a traditional folk craft. To follow the footsteps of their ancestors, northeastern women used to rear their own silkworms, spun and dyed the yarn using the primitive methods for their family needs and sometimes for sale in the markets.
Unfortunately, from the latter part of the 19th century onwards, the Thai silk industry went on the decline due to the influx of Chinese and Japanese cheaper, factory-produced fabrics into the Thai markets. During the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama v), there was an attempt to improve silk production, but it achieved limited success. It was only after the world War II that Thai silk found its way into the world market when an American named Jim Thompson revived the industry and made the silk known to the outside world.
Usually with the arrival of cheaper, modern materials and more labour-intensive production techniques, folk arts and handicrafts will have difficulty in surviving modern challenges. To maintain these talents and supplement the income of rural people, the Foundation for the Promotion of supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques (support) has been set up under the initiation of Her Majesty the Queen. A key function of support is to open new markets for the finished products.
One of these products is the northeast’s beautiful “Mudmee” silk which is widely popular as it is durable and can be worn for many years if given proper care. Thai silk is today one of the best known handicrafts sold all over the world. It is mostly exported in plain lengths, plaids brocades, stripes, prints and checks worldwide. The Queen herself helped popularize Thai silk by wearing it and encouraging villagers to expand the weaving of mudmee and other types of clothes. In addition, a silk fashion show is frequently held to display its attractiveness and beautiful designs. From its humble origins, Thai silk has now become an important national product.

A brief history of Thailand

A brief history of Thailand
The word “Thai” means free, and therefore Thailand means the “land of the free”. Previously the country was well-known to the world as “Siam” and only on May 11, 1949 did an official proclamation changed the name of the country into “Prathet Thai” or “Thailand” by which it has since come to be known throughout the world.
In childhood, our school textbooks told us that our ancestors had their roots in Southern China where they originated some 4,500 years ago. Under pressure from China, they moved southward through Burma down to the Indo-Chinese peninsula, the “Thai Noi” then established their capital in Sukhothai, the northern province of Thailand.
Now there are conflicting opinions and theories about the origin of the Thais since the discovery of many instruments and artifacts at the village of Ban Chiang in Nong Han District of the northeastern province of Udon Thani. The theory about the origin of the Thai people has now changed, it appears that the Thais might have first settled down here in Thailand and later scattered to various parts of Asia, even to some parts of China.
The controversy over the origin of the Thais shows no sign of definite conclusion as many more theories have been put forward and some even go further to say that the Thais were originally of Austronesian rather than Mongoloid. What the outcome of the dispute may be, by the 13th century the Thais had already settled down within the Southeast Asian mainland with Sukhothai as the “first kingdom”. The Sukhothai era marked a period of great cultural development. Under King Ramkhamhaeng the Great who ruled from 1275 to 1315, the land of Sukhothai was thriving. There were fish in the water and rice in the fields. Due to the kingdom’s prosperity, it is regarded as a “golden age” in the Thai history.
Then in 1350, a new dynasty led by King Ramathibodi I (Uthong) established a new capital at Ayutthaya, and in 1378 during the reign of King Borommaracha I, Sukhothai was subdued several wars with Burma before falling to the invading Burmese in 1767.
Following this defeat, the Thais led by King Taksin retreated south and established another capital at Thon Buri. On his death in 1782, the King was succeeded by King Phra Buddha Yodfah Chulaloke (Rama I) who moved the capital across the river to the present location in Bangkok as Thon Buri was too vulnerable to Burmese attack. The King founded the Chakri dynasty which riles the country to the present day.

4 Never-to-Miss Attractions in Samut Prakan

“Forts of the Navy; Chedi in the river heat; Large Crocodile Farm; beautiful Muang Boran; Songkran Phra Pradaeng; Dried Salid fish; Rab Bua Tradition and Industrial Center”
Samut prakan or Muang paknam, also called “Muang Phra Pradaeng”, is at the end of the Chao Phraya river that flows to the Gulf of Thailand. Located about 29 kilometers south of Bangkok, the city covers a total area of 1,004 square kilometers, most of which are made up of rice fields and plantation, a lot of canalswith no mountains.
The history of Muang Paknam started in Ayuthaya Period with an old town located in Amphoe Phra Pradaeng as a commercial center for foreign freighters. Later, King Taksin the Great of Tonburi had the city wall of Phra pradaeng demolished, while in Rattanakosin Period, King Rama II, seeing that it was a weak point in case of enemy attacks, had Samut Prakan city settled at Tambon Paknam in 2362 B.E. with 6 forts on both sides of the river and a pagoda Phra Samut Chedi in the heart, all of which were completed in the reign of King Rama III with three more forts added.
In 2403 B.E. King Rama V had Phra Samut Chedi renovated and added a sea fort named “Pom Phra Chedichomklao”. At present only two forts Pom Pri Sua Samut and Pom Phra Chulachomklao remain.

4 NEVER-TO-MISS ATTRACTIONS
4 outstanding attractions are on the Highway No. 3 toward Chonburi and can be visited within 1 day starting from the Erawan Museum and then Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and zoo before the Ancient City and ending with Sunset and seagulls viewing at Bang Poo Seaside.
1. Erawan Museum
Location: Sukhumvit Road (old routs) on the 12 rai land of Thonburi Auto Co., Ltd.
The museum was inspired by the imagination of Khun Lek Viriyaphan, the founder of Ancient City and Prasat Sajadham, as a place for keeping collections of antiques and cultural heritage. The three-headed elephant Airavata is the world’s first copper sculture of neat hand-made metal cast. The statue and building stand altogether 43.60 meters high, inside of which is divided into 2 part-the upper body called Heavan displaying objects such as powder color painting of the Universe, and invaluable Buddha images.
The lower body of the elephant is made up of the basement or the World displaying antiques with exquisite decorations of mixed arts. The Underground floor or the Underworld is for exhibition and antiques like Buddha images and statues of different periods including chinawares.
The museum is surrounded with flora from literature and Ramayana Epic-depicted scultures. Open for public daily between 08.00-18.00 hrs, the admission fees are 150 baht/adult and 50 baht/kid. Additional information www.erawan-museum.com
2. Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo
Location: Thanon Tayban, about 3 kilometers away From the city
Built in 2493 B.E., this is the world’s largest crocodile farm with over 6,000 crocodile of various sizes. Shows are available daily with crocodiles between 09.00-16.00 hrs (every hour with two more shows at 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs. on holiday), and elephants every hour between 09.30-16.30 hrs.
Other than crocodiles, the farm has such animals as tiger, Chimpanzee, gibbon, turtle, snake, bird, camel, hippo, deer, and fish to see in addition to dinosauras museum. Open for public daily between 07.00-18.00 hrs, admission fees for Thai are 60 bath/adult, 30 bath/kid and for foreigners 300 bath/adult, and 200 bath/kid. Group visit with guide is available on advance contact. More information call 0 2703 4891, 0 2703 5144-8
3. Muang Boran
Location: Tambon Bang Poo Mai at KM. 33 on Sukhumvit Road (old route) about 8 kilometers away From the city.
Muang Boran is divided into 6 zones-South, Central, East, Northeast, North and the Creative zone. A tour can be made by private car or hire a bicycle or by the street car service with a guide.
Muang Boran Tai: The Land of Buddhism
This is a long pointed area of the south sandwiched by sea shores—a landing spot for travelers in the old days and the location of Thailand’s important pagodas which include Phra Boromthat Nakorn Srithammarat; Surat Than’si Phra boromthat Chaiya, Petchaburi’s Hor Phra Tri-Pitaka and Sala Kanparian Wat Yai Suwannaram; Rachaburi’s Phra Prang Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat; and other sites such as the ancient market or Talad bok; Suan I-Nao, Suan Manohra, etc.
Muang Boran Klang: The Administrative Centre of Siam Prates
This is a huge river basin where the Kingdom of Siam is Located since Ayuthaya, Thonburi up to Ratanakosin- the land that prosperity of Siam civilization. Historical monuments include Sanphet prasat Throne; Dusit Prasat Throne; Ho PHra Kaew; Krung Thonburi Royal Hall; SaraburiMondapa of Buddha footprints; Ayuthaya’s ChomThong Throne; Wihara Sanphet, Mooban Thai Klang; Suan Khun Chang-Khun phan, etc.
Muang Boran Nua: The Beauty of Laan Na
The northern area where Sukhothai is located with the gentle buauty and unique Laan Na Art is for visitors to experience such places as Tevalok Park; Floating Market; Phitsanulok’s Phra Prang Wat Chulamanee; Vihara Sukkhothai; Lampang’s Ho Kham; Northern Thai Village; etc.
Muang Boran Tawan Ork Chiang Nua: The I-san Civilization
This area copies the various pre-historical to historical art and culture traces including local arts. Important archaeological sites include Loei’s Phrathat Sri Songrak; Phrathat Phanom; Khao Phra Vihear; udonthani’s Ho Nang U-sa; Prasat Hin Phimai and Prasat Hin Phanom Rung, etc.
Muang Boran Tawan Ork: The Siam Fortification
This zone reveals the abundant seashores where eastern cities of economic and political importance are located. Interesting sites are Suan Phra Abhaimanee; Chanburi’s Tuek Daeng; Trad’s Sala Thong Wat Nimitr; Chachoensao fors and city walls; and Sra Kaew’s Stone Sanctuary Satokkokthom.
The Creative Zone: A Reflection of Thai Wisdom
This area, Extended from Thailand’s landscape, displays the systems of Thai society’s thoughts, beliefs, and wisdom. Interesting sites are the Pavilion of The Buddha’s 10 lives Sala Dhosachat; the Giant Swing and Bhraman Bot; the Mondapa of Bhodhisattava Avalokitesavara; the Royal Barge Procession; Sumeru Mountains; etc.
A visit to Muang Boran
Open for public daily between 08.00-17.00 hrs.
Admission fees for Thai are 100 baht/adult and 50 bath/kid, for foreigner are 300 bath/adult and 200 bath/kid (inclusive of bicyclr and street car with Thai-language guide; guide in English a fee of 75 bath/person is required.)
50 bath/private car or van (driver not included)
50 bath/single bicycle and 150 bath/duo bicycle
30 bath/private bicycle
150 bath/adult and 75 bath/kid for passenger street car with a guide