Loy Krathong Festival in Thailand

Loy Krathong Festival in Thailand

A crowd with flickering light of candles and color of flowers decorating floating object is familiar scene in a celebration occurring in a twelfth month in lunar calendar. It is one of wonderful Asian cultures when rivers and canals are full of water. Since we have been a kid, I guess everyone must be impressed with this festive occasion in November - Loy Krathong. Most of us are convinced that floating objects or Krathongs are originated in Sukhothai by Tao Sri Chulalak or Nang Noppamas, who was one of Phra Ruang’s wives. However, some assert that the story was written in the reign of Rama III merely to advocate women on role model of a good wife, as no evidence is found to prove the festival’s existence. They believe that Loy Krathong has just been celebrated since the end of Ayutthaya. Despite the confusing history, this gracious culture is still alive. People still conducts this ritual not only to worship the footprint of the Buddha on a riverside in India, but also to pay respect to Chulamanee Chedi in heaven. Another well-known purpose is to show their gratitude to the Goddess of the Water on their plentiful use of water and ask for forgiveness in the ensuing pollution. Moreover, many people believe that floating the beautiful Krathong away also refers to flying away misfortune and bad things in the past and asking for good luck in the future.
In the past, people in Lanna Kingdom in the north of Thailand also show respect to rivers, but they use fire instead. They float a lantern like a hot-air balloon in the sky which is called Yee Peng. And now we still can find this celebration in Chiang Mai. Interestingly, people other than Thais have the similar tradition. Not far from us, Laos float Pratips (or our Krathong) and Lai Rue Fai (or flowing an ablaze boat) in worship of Water Goddess. This rite is also used to welcome the Buddha after His return from preaching to His mother in the second heaven. In Cambodia, this period is called Ok Ambok which means worshipping the moon. They float Pratips on a full moon night as well. Another neighboring country as Burma has the same culture. They float Krathong to worship the Buddha and Nut or household spirit. Looking upward farther, some of us may be surprised that Vietnam, Korea and Japan have the similar rituals too. They apologize the Water Goddess and float away ill fortune. It is assumed that the origin is Mahayana Buddhism which was expanded from China. On the other hand, Indians claim that they are the root of this ceremony derived from Brahmin. This festival is aimed to worship Naraya God who sleeps in the milk ocean and He then will throw our sin away.
In Thailand, people enjoy creating their own Krathong made from natural resources, such as leaves and trunks of banana adorned with flowers. Some might use bread instead of synthetic materials showing their concern for environment. Other than flowers, a candle and incense sticks, we often put some coins or betel pepper and nut in our Krathongs. And that’s why our Krathongs can’t drift any further as they are raided for little money. Nevertheless, Loy Krathong Festival remains the most romantic and favorite occasion for a number of people and still best represents our gratitude.

Phra Phrom, Bangkok Thailand

When asked about their religion, most Thais will happily respond that they are Buddhists. However, a simple glance around town will reveal that there are many elements in daily spiritual life that have little to do with Buddhism in its stricter forms. Hinduism and Animism are still there.If you look around Bangkok, you will see little shrines placed in front of virtually all major buildings. These are the spirit houses, basically there to protect the building from anything happening to it. Small offerings such as food and drinks, are regularly placed there, and Thai people offer their respect when passing the shrines.One such spirit house was placed in front of the Erawan hotel in the 1950's. However it was not doing its job properly, and many mishaps occurred during the construction of the hotel. So after consulting some spiritual advisers, the spirit house was replaced the present San Phra Phrom (Brahma) or Erawan Shrine. Everything went well after that with the construction work.
Then there is the story of the old lady that asked for help in her business, and promised to dance to the shrine, if her wisher were granted. Legend has it that her business flourished and she performed as promised.
Now, many hundreds (thousands?) of people visit the Erawan Shrine daily, wishing for luck in business or love. They make small offerings, and often in return for granted wished classical Thai dancers (with orchestra) perform at the Shrine. Also wooden elephants are offered.
The Erawan Shrine itself is gilded and features four arms and four faces. It is located at a very busy intersection (crossing Rajadamri and Phloenchit Roads) with the skytrain going almost overhead in two different direction (one off to Silom Road, the other to Sukhumvit Road). The Erawan Shrine has actually become ever more busy over the last ten years in our opinion, and many garland sellers no line the sidewalk close to San Phra Phrom. The Erawan Shrine is worth a short visit, and is located very close to Chitlom skytrain station. As said before it is at a busy intersection, and many, many shopping centers are located in the same vicinity.

by thaiwebsites.com

Nonthaburi Province, Thailand

Nonthaburi Province is found in history as a part of Krung Si Ayutthaya. In the year 1636 King Prasat Thong commanded a canal dug as a short cut from Ban Talat Khwan to the mouth of Bang Kruai Canal a total distance of five kilometers. In the year 1665 King Narai the Great gave a royal command to build a fortress at the mouth of Khlong Mae Nam Om and the township area was moved over there too. The fortress was demolished during the reign of King Rama III to reuse the bricks for the construction of Wat Chalerm Phra Kiat. In the year 1928 King Phra Pok Klao gave a royal command to relocate the township area to the present site. Nonthaburi was once consolidated with Krung Thep on January 1, 1943; however, it was re-established as an independent province again on May 9, 1946.
Nonthaburi occupies an area of 622.3 square kilometers, only 20 kilometers from Bangkok, and is conveniently accessed by both land and water transportation. It consists of six Amphoes: Muang, Pak Kret, Bang Kruai, Bang Yai, Bang Bua Thong and Sai Noi. The slogans of Nontaburi Province are "Graceful Palace-Suan Suan Somdej's famililiarity-Pottery at Koh Kred-Renowned ancient Wats-Delicious durian-Brilliant Governmental Center".
Nonthaburi Fruits Fair
This annual fair is held during April-June to celebrate the abundance of such local fruits as durian, mangoesteen and mangoes, then at their peak of succulent ripeness. Besides stalls selling the produce of surrounding orchards and local products, there are colourful processions of floats decorated with fruits and flowers, beauty pageants, fruits contests, cultural shows, exhibitions of provincial handicrafts and agricultural produce, and local entertainments.
Wat Prasat
This monastery is on Bang Kruai - Bang Bua Thong Road in the area of Tambon Bang Krang, Amphoe Muang. The Ubosot is of Ayutthaya art having sophisticated craftsmanship. The designs on the gable of the niche entering the Ubosot and the mural paintings maintain special characteristics of the Nonthaburi school of arts which have always been visited by archaeological students.Tourist Attractions
Wat Ku
Located in the vicinity of Tambon Bang Phut, Amphoe Pak Kret, four kilometers from the district township area, this monastery was constructed at the time when the Mon people led by Phraya Cheng migrated into the Kingdom during the reign of King Taksin of the Thon Buri era. Construction is of Mon architecture having mural paintings in Mon style. There is a building constructed to commemorate King Rama V's Queen Suantha who was drowned by shipwreck; her body was temporarily placed in the monastery prior to transfer into Bangkok.
Suan Tan Noi
A flower garden located on the Chao Phraya River bank, amidst an orchard. Within typical Thai houses and a Mon village. To reach the garden one proceeds over the Nonthaburi Bridge passing Wat Ko Kriang, Wat Bang Tanai, and Wat Tan, arriving at the garden. Another way to get there is to park the vehicle at Pak Kret Landing or at Wat Ku; then proceed on to the garden by a ferry. It is open every day from 08.00 to 17.00 hours and the detailed information can be obtained by dialing Tel: 662-5833913.
Floating Market at Khlong Bang Khu Wiang
The floating market is located at the mouth of Khlong Bang Khu Wiang. Tambon Bang Rao Nok, Amphoe Bang Kruai. It takes about 10 minutes by boat to go to this floating market from Amphoe Bang Kruai.
The floating market starts around 5.00 a.m. everyday, and finishes when the sun is hot, shortly before mid-day. Sellers bring a large variety of fruits, vegetables and foods along in their small rowing boats. Monks also come in rowing boats and the people will present food to them. The floating market offers a pictures of Traditional Thai life scarcely seen nowadays.Tourist Attractions

Buatong flowers bloom festival on Mae au core hill , 2550 yearly.

Buatong flowers

Mr. Visut Borchum the chief of center coordinates activities province Maehongsorn tourism , ( The Tourism Authority of Thailand ) , disclose that ,Buatong flowers which Mae au core hill , the district feeds , Maehongsorn province , this year have beautiful again after , a tourist impresses in year that change , because of , the air provides , and an organization administrates province Maehongsorn part , ( bake the province ) , throw the budget adjusts Buatong flowers bloom field has the completeness and beautiful more and more.

One Buatong flowers bloom budget hill Mae au core field in the tourist attraction like , nature that is famous of Maehongsorn province , be in on Mae au core hill , 6 Tumbol mother groups are neck , amphur feeds or stay far from amphur feeds , about 26 a kilometer , by Buatong flowers bloom will yellow full splendid the field and the valley in the area almost 1,000 a farm , from the beginning November go to until the the middle of the lunar month December , make Mae au core yellow splendid hill covers throughout both of a mountain , there is the beauty very extremely much , and attract give a tourist comes to touch Maehongsorn city greatly , Buatong flowers will blossom to show off the beauty is on the height about 1,600 the meter from water sea level , unless , Buatong flowers bloom beauty has already , with the altitude of Buatong flowers bloom field can make a tourist touches the cold goes to at the same time , for travel at go up lodge still will get dead women who dwelled in the medicine crow corpse forest is tired go down in the evening , and fog sea in the morning field Buatong flowers bloom area , get as well.

In this year , unless a tourist will have seen the beauty has of Buatong flowers bloom field already , between on (day) 11 - 30 November 2550 bake Maehongsorn province , get very the activity enhances the interestedness gives a tourist with going up balloon sees Buatong flowers bloom field and the scenery of national field Buatong flowers bloom park by air for the first time , fully sip brook coffee surrounds , ( taste good coffee of Maehongsorn ) , free on the balloon , round vacate about 15 minute , in the rate just a person vacates 100 a baht only and between on (day) 1 5 November 2550 bake the district feeds , still very the activity adds at airport old area feeds , ( in amphur feeds ) , there is daughter Buatong flowers bloom contest , goods sale , concert , etc. , with.

In the part of the facilities , on Mae au core hill while , Buatong flowers bloom has will to serve stay overnight on the hill keeps sufficiently , for a tourist has touched Buatong flowers bends to roast is close to , in the price the back vacates 150 a baht build 2 persons. For a tourist who lead to come to by oneself , there is the place stretches out don't pay for expenses anyhow , can contact with in done to a turn advance , amphur feeds , the telephone is 6653691108 , besides , still have area residence adjoin , Buatong flowers bloom field , such as , area waterfall mother Surin residence , the residence will be ofing private that invent in the route to will go up Buatong flowers bloom field , and the residence in amphur feeds to support keep amount of again. For a tourist who want side residence easiness , unless , the residence in amphur has fed already , coordination tourism province Maehongsorn center , advise give a tourist contacts with the residence in amphur mother border arranges , which , there are about 400 rooms , and the residence in Maehongsorn city , again about 1,300 room , besides , still have food shop , bathroom , toilet and the seeing offers the convenience , safety to a tourist extremely.

The travel goes up to see Buatong flowers bloom tourist field can lead a car has gone up still Buatong flowers bloom field type , comfortably , both of with individual automobile and use to serve minibus automobile from the entrance go up Mae au core hill from car harbour in the city feed , in the price tours to vacate 800-1,000 baht.

A tourist who take an interest to travel come to touch field Buatong flowers bloom beauty on Mae au core hill , and city attractiveness , Maehongsorn , can inquire travel data and other advice , done to a turn , coordination tourism province Maehongsorn center , the telephone is 6653612982-3 , bake Maehongsorn province , the 6653611385 amphur telephone feeds , 6653691108 telephones bake the district feeds , the telephone is 6653691466.