The King's Passion for music

It has been said thay King Bhumibol Adulyadej's genius passion for artist pursuit can be traced back to his father, H.R.H. Prince Mahidol of songkla, and his penchant for technology has no doubt been influenced by her Royal Highness the Princess Mother , known for her interest in Photography.

   

His majesty began to compose songs in earnest when he turned 18 years old, and the person who both encouraged him and became his inspiration was none other than his royal brother king Ananda Mahidol. In April 1946, King Bhumibol Adulyadej composed his first-ever song , a blues, under the title of "candle light Blue." But he had yet to go public with it , feeling that he still needed to polish the tune for better effect.As a result, the first royal song released to the Thai public was "Love at Sundown", the second number he composed in the same month as the first.

  

He next came up with the third number, called "Falling Rain" ,  a sweet waltz which, since its release, has been most popular with Thai listeners and still is today. The fourth and final number he composed during his pre-accession days as the king's younger brother was titled "Near Dawn"

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" Candle Light Blue "

" Near Dawn "

"Love at sundown"

Bai Sri

The Bri Sri is a blessing ceremony performed to bestow happiness and prosperity to a person or place. The ceremony feature a beautifully-shaped ornament called a khrueng bai sri ton, made of elaborately-folded banana leaves. A container is beautifully decorated with fresh flowers ans banana leaves, It is often used during auspicious ceremonies. The popular forms of the Bai Sri offering are the Bai Sri Pak Cham and Bai Sri Yai.

Bai Sri Pak Cham is small and looks like a bowl. A section of banana trunk can be used to make this form of Bai Sri, which is often used in ceremony to worship deities and in a ceremony to pay homage to teachers. Bai Sri Yai is generally used in significant events , such as a royal ceremony to strengthen the royal Khwan. 

According to ancient traditions, a nine-tier Bai Sri is for the  King and the Queen, a seven-tier Bai Sri is for a prince or a princess, a five-tier Bai Sri is for the royal guest with the status of a president , three-tier Bai sri is for a miniter or for use in the wedding of a royal grandchild.

Each item used in the making of Bai sri has a significance : the cone of rice means fertility , yellow cassia flower means logevity , Calotropis flowers means long lasting love , boiled eggs sometimes means intelligence, money means good luck and auspicious thread represent the bonds of friendship.

The Thai Wai Greeting

Thai people greet each other with a gesture similar to the one in the picture opposite. Thai people do not shake hands like people in the west. They place the palms and fingers of both their hands together as in a prayer position in the center of their bodies and at different levels depending upon the level of gesture as explained below.

This thai greeting gesture is called a "wai" , it is pronounce more like "why" in English.

The greeting gesture is also accompanied with a slight bow. The various position and gesture can be very graceful and expressive, show different degrees of respect, authority, submissiveness happiness and obedience. The Different levels of position of the joined hands show different degrees of respect. The higher the joined hands are held in relation to the face is an indication or more respect. The wai is also used to say "sorry" or "Thank you"

For Thai people the gestures are complex but foreigners are not expected to understand this aspect of Thai culture in detail. But for those who do try to understand and participate correctly the you start to be more integrated into Thai society and culture.

              

The Traditional Khon Dance

Khon dance is the most stylished form of Thai dance. It is performed by

 troupes of non - speaking dancers, the story being told by a chorus at the side of the stage. 

Chereography follow traditional models rather than attempting to innovate

                               

It is a genre of dance drama from Thailand. It is traditionally performed solely in the royal court, by men in masks accompanied by narators and traditional piphat ensemble. A variation of this genre with female perfomers is called "khon phu ying"

                               

Modern khon contains many elements from the Lakhon nai and now adays, include female perfomers for female characters which were traditionally performed by men. While the ogre and monkey characters still wear masks, most of the human characters do not

                              

most khon performance feature episode from the Ramakien. Costume are dictated by tradition, 

with angles wearing color masks.

                  

Amphawa Floating Market

Today, Floating market is paid attention by tourist more than it is in the past. As it is not too far from Bangkok, just taking 2 hour , you will be embraced atmosphere of liveliness in floating market

Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram , Thailand.

in this floating market, Tourist could see people going about their lives, a number of boat vendors selling their fresh produce seafood dish,cool drink and so on.

In Amphawa Canal, vendors row their boat laden with foods such as boat noodles, phat thai, tradition-style coffee and Thai desserts. On land , food stalls also filled the area. Another popular activity in Amphawa is to take a boat and watch the beautiful flickering fireflies at night, especially the waxing-moon nights.

      

opening hour : 16.00 to 21.00 (weekend)
How to get there : You can take the fast van direct to Damnernsdauk and get of at Amphawa from Victory Monument under express way, but a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal might be a safer option but you have to take the bus to Smoot Songkhram first and switch on to a songthaew or bus heading for Amphawa. The ride will take about 15 minutes and it is obvious where to get off.

Taling Chan Floating Market

this market is in close proximity to Bangkok, and so makes a nice weekend trip if you're in for a new shopping experience. A strew of canals around the market can be visited by hired boat where small villages are revealed along the way. Homestays are also available for a truly Thai experience.

Taling Chan Floating Market in Bangkok, Thailand 

For those who stay in bangkok, this is the nearest floating market 

where you can observe the locals' ways of life

                              

 products sold here are fruit and vegetables fresh from nearby garden, several kinds of plants, edible stuff like traditional desserts and OTOP goods. You should seek for the "boat noodles"which is a renowned Thai bowl with superb flavours. And what shouldn't be misses is a long tail boat trip along the canals. the boat are presented therefrom 08.00-16.00

opening hour : 09.00-17.00 (weekend only)
How to get there : Take bus numbers 79 , which cross the chao praya river to the Thonburi side of bangkok. the market is located near the front of  Taling Chan District Office.

Bang Khu Wiang Floating Market

perhaps the best choice to enjoy  a traditional Thai floating market 

without the touristy push is Bang Khu Wiang. Monks arrive by boat in early morning 

on their daily "tak baat" (Alms round) , and a viriety of farm - fresh produce is offered

   

   Bang Khu Wiang Floating Market in Nonthaburi , Thailand

is one of the most remarkable floating market that you have to visit once.

Bang khu wiang is located at the mouth of Khlong Bang Khu Wiang. Tambon Bang Rao Nok , Amphoe Bang Krui. It take about ten minutes by boat to go to this Floating Market from Amphoe Bang Krui.

Opening Hour : 04.00 - 07.00 (every day)

How to go there : One option is to rent a boat from Chang Pier (in bangkok) , and ask to be taken to Noi-Khlong Om-Bang Khu wiang Floating market. A cheaper option is to catch a boat from Wat Chalo Pier for a 45 minute ride to Bang Krui (5 bath) , Which runs every 15 minute from 05.00-20.00. From there it is a 10 minute boat ride to the market. If boats don't suit you , no worries as taxis and tuk-tuks are availiable for hire at the market.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Markets

floating market is a market where good are sold from boats. Originating in times and places where water transport played an important role in daily life, most floating markets operating today mainly serve as yourist attractions, and are chiefly found in Thailand , Indonesia and Vietnam.

  

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi, Thailand.

is one of the most famously known floating markets, and a major tourist destination.

Floating maket at Damnoen Saduak is the old Traditional way of selling vegetables, fruit, etc. 

from a small boat. Well on the tourist trail after the bond film, the trip to the famous floating market at Damnoen Saduak is still worth doing. Totally chaotic, small "klong"or canals are filled with small flat boat jockeying for position, expertly paddled by mature ladies ready to stop and bargain at a moment's notice. It's colorful, noisy, totally touristy but great fun.

Opening Hour : 07:00-11:00 (every day)

How to get there : Take a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal at samut songkhram Ratchaburi province, 80 km southwest of bangkok. You can then walk along the passageway to the market, or take a boat to the market pier.

Songkran Festival

                The Songkran Festival is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year's Day from 13 to 15 April. It coincide with the New Year of many calendar of south and Southeast Asia. Of all the feast and festivals in thailand, which are many, the songkran festival is the most striking, for it is widely observed not only in this country but also in Burma, Cambodia and Lao state.

                                       

Songkran has traditionally been celebrated as the New Year for many centuries, and is believed to have been adapted from Indian Festival. It is now observed nationwide, even in the far south. However, the most famous Songkran celebrations are still in the northern city of Chiang mai, where it continues for six day and even longer, It has also become a party for foreigner and an additional reason for many to visit Thailand for immersion in another culture.

                                      

songkran means "movement" or "changing" since according to Thai astrology, the sun will move into a new sign of the Zodiac on this day. Songkran is also called the "Water festival". Water is believed to flow and wash away all bad omens during this time. 

     

In the Thai tradition, the New year begins early in the morning when faithful Thai buddhist give alms to budhist monks. After that they release caged animals, especially bird and fish. Elder and parent will be visited and respect by their children and grandchildren. The young pour scented water over their elder's hands, they in return, wish them good health, happiness and prosperity.
This tradition of paying is called "Rod Nam Dum Hua"

Loy Krathong Festival

Loy kratong is held on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional thai lunar calendar. 

In the western calendar , this uaually falls in November

During the night of the full moon, many people will float a small rafts (krathong) on the river or other body of water , such as canals, lakes and seas. Some people even float a raft on the river is to honor and pay respect to the goddess of water. Also, floating a raft in the river is to apologize to the goddess of the water for the bad things we have done to the river during the past year. That is why loy krathong is held at the end of the year. There also local and officially organised raft competitions, regarding its beauty and craftsmanship. In addition, there are also fireworks and beauty contests during the celebration of the festival.

Loi Kratong coincides with Lanna festival known as "Yi Peng". a multitude of Lanna-style sky lanterns (khom loi) are launched into the air where they resemble large flock of  giant fluorescent jellyfish gracefully floating by thought the sky. The festival is meant as time for tham bun, to make merit.

The most elaborate Yi Peng celebrations can be seen in Chiang mai, the ancient capital of the former Lanna Kingdom, where now both Loi krathong and Yipeng are celebrated at the same time resulting in the lights floating on waters, and lights hanging from trees and buildings or standing on walls, and lights floating by in the sky.