Thai-Nong Khai

@Tha Sadet Nong Khai^^

2012-01-19T20:26:00.000-08:00

@UDONTHANI^^

2012-01-19T20:15:00.001-08:00

Pra Tat La Nong

2012-01-19T20:14:00.000-08:00

E-CARD THAILAND

2011-12-29T18:19:00.000-08:00

Pra Sri Maha Pagoda@Khon Khean Province Thailand^^

Bueng Kan Province

2011-05-28T00:42:00.000-07:00

Bueng Kan (Thai: บึงกาฬ) is the 76th province (Changwat) of Thailand, established by the Act Establishing Changwat Bueng Kan, BE 2554 (2011) which entered into force on and from March 23, 2011.[3] The province, consisting of the districts (Amphoe) partitioned off Nong Khai Province, is situated in the northeastern region of the country, called "Isan" (Thai: อีสาน). It is named after its central district, Mueang Bueng Kan.

The Province is located in the northeastern corner of Thailand. It borders from the south clockwise Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani and Nong Khai Province. To the north and east it borders Laos, with the Mekong river forming the natural boundary.
In Bung Khla district is the Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary, protecting a forest-covered hill area close to the Mekong river.

In 1994, Sumet Phromphanhao, member of the House of Representatives from Nong Khai Province, proposed a province of Bueng Kan to be established by disjoining Amphoe Bueng Kan, Amphoe Seka, Amphoe So Phisai, Amphoe Bung Khla, Amphoe Bueng Khong Long, Amphoe Pak Khat, Amphoe Phon Charoen and Amphoe Si Wilai of Nong Khai Province to be considated as a new province. The new province, if created, would be 4,305-square-kilometre wide, with the population density about 390,000 inhabitants.

At that time, the Ministry of Interior replied that creating a new province would load a heavy burden to the state budget and was contrary to the resolution of the Council of Ministers.

The proposal of creating Bueng Kan Province has been deserted for about 20 years, until 2010 when the Ministry of Interior renewed the project and made a proposal to the Council of Minister for having a "Bill Establishing Changwat Bueng Kan, BE ... (...)" (Thai: ร่างพระราชบัญญัติจัดตั้งจังหวัดบึงกาฬ พ.ศ. ...) considered.

In a popular poll at the same time, 98.83 % of the inhabitants of Nong Khai province supported the proposal. On August 3, 2010, the Council of Ministers resolved to present the bill to the National Assembly, citing the main reasons that: the proposal met with the criteria as to the number of districts and population and as to special characters of the proposed province, and that Nong Khai Province lies along the Mekong, making it difficult to maintain adequate security along the extensive border.

On February 7, 2011, the National Assembly approved the bill. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva presented it to Bhumibol Adulyadej for his signature. Bhumibol Adulyadej signed the bill on March 11, 2011, enacting it as the "Act Establishing Changwat Bueng Kan, BE 2554 (2011)" (Thai: พระราชบัญญัติตั้งจังหวัดบึงกาฬ พ.ศ. 2544). The Act was published in the Government Gazette on March 22, 2011 and came into force from the next day onwards.

Nong Khai Charity Marathon

2011-05-28T00:24:00.000-07:00

When:
5 Jun 2011 (annual)

Where:
Naga Fountain Yard

Cost:
£10-£15

Opening Hours:
5.30am start

Surges of adrenaline during the annual Nong Khai Charity Marathon aim to help people with disabilities. Complete a full, half or mini marathon of 10.5km or a wheelchair race to and from Nong Khai's Naga Fountain Yard, past the Mekong River.

Phu Tok@Nong Khai

2011-05-27T21:19:00.000-07:00

Mun Bhuridatta

2011-05-27T21:13:00.000-07:00

Venerable Acariya Mun Bhuridatta Thera, A Spiritual BiographyAjahn Mun Bhuridatta Thera (Thai: มั่น ภูริทตฺโต), 1870–1949, was a Thai Buddhist monk of Lao descent who is credited, along with his mentor, Phra Ajahn Sao Kantasilo Mahathera, with establishing the Thai Forest Tradition (the Kammatthana tradition) that subsequently spread throughout Thailand and to several countries abroad.

In 1912, Ajahn Mun spent the Rains Retreat at Wat Sa Pathum (now known as Wat Pathum Wanaram) in Bangkok, where he received instructions and advice from His Eminence Phra Upali of Wat Boromnivasin. After Rains Retreat, he journeyed up to the town of Lopburi and stayed in various caves such as Phaikwang Cave, Mount Khao Phra Ngarm, and Singho Cave, where he practiced intensive meditation.

In 1913, Ajahn Mun stayed in Sarika Cave at Great Mountain (Khao Yai) in Nakhon Nayok. It was during this time, at age 43, when he attained anagami, according to the biography written by his disciple Luang Ta Maha Bua. Ajahn Mun spent the next two or three years living at this location in the Khao Yai Mountains. He struggle with a mortal life-threatening illness during these years. A chapel shrine to Ajahn Mun is located at this cave today and is a major pilgrimage site.
In 1915, Ajahn Mun spent the Rain Retreat at Wat Sapathum in Bangkok, and frequently walked to a nearby temple to hear sermons by Ajahn Jan, an important high-ranking monk.

From here, Ajahn Mun returned to the rural districts of northeast Thailand. In 1918, he spent Rains Retreat in Wat Burapha, on the outskirts of Ubon city. He remained at the same monastery for the Rain Retreat of 1920. For the next five years he wandered throughout the northern districts of upper Isan region: Sakhon Nakhon, Udon Thani, Nong Khai and Loei.

Ajahn Mun was increasingly recognized as a highly gifted teacher during these years, and attracted growing numbers of disciples among both monks and laypeople. In 1926 he was accompanied by a group of 70 monks in a "thudong" south to Daeng Kokchang Village, Tha Uthen District, heading toward Ubon.

A controversy engulfed Ajahn Mun and his disciples at this time. The monastic authorities in Bangkok were in the process of imposing reforms intended to standardize and centralize the sangha, and were pressuring the wandering forest monks to settle down in temples and become "productive" members of society. Monastic administrators were suspicious of these apparently "vagrant" monks who lived in wild forests and jungles, beyond the realm of civilization. Ajahn Jan, the monastic administrator of the province, ordered the people to withhold support from the wandering monks. Several of Ajahn Mun's disciples were taken into custody by civil authorities under suspicion of vagrancy.

Ajahn Mun became increasingly concerned by the encroachments of modern ways that threatened the traditional monastic customs he had been trained in. He began to think of leaving his homeland in order to seek more remote regions beyond the reach of modernizing influences of Bangkok authorities.

In 1927, Mun was in Ubon teaching monks and laypeople in Wat Suthat, Wat Liap, and Wat Burapha. He made arrangements for his aging mother, and then took leave of his family to go wandering into the direction of the Central Plains region of Thailand, not certain of his destination. He wandered by stages across the barren lands and sparsely populated lands of central Isan, sleeping under the occasional shade tree, receiving alms food from the poor rice farmers along the way. When he reached the rugged, wild mountains and jungles of Dong Phaya Yen Forest between Sara Buri and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces, he rejoiced at the flora and fauna of nature.

Luang Pho Phra Sai-Phra Sook

2011-05-20T21:31:00.000-07:00

Luang Pho Phra Sai
This gold Buddha image is highly revered by the Nong Khai people and dates back to the ancient Lan Chang Lnpire crntuies ago. It is believed the image is one of 3 images commissioned to be molded by the 3 daughters of the king of Lan Chang. In 1778, the images were mived to Vientiane and during the reign of King Rama III, they were briyght to Thailand, but one sank in a stirm. The remaining images were placed in Watpho Chai and Wat Ho Klong. Wat Pho Chai is the temple where Luang Pho Phra Sai is housed. There is a celebrartion erer, the seventh Iunar minth at the temple

Thai Forest Tradition

2011-05-20T21:28:00.000-07:00

Thai Monk, My Brother by ~SICK-HEART on deviant ART

The Thai Forest Tradition is a tradition of Buddhist monasticism within Thai Theravada Buddhism. It uses remote wilderness and forest dwellings as training grounds for spiritual practice. Maha Nikaya and Dhammayuttika Nikaya are the two major monastic orders in Thailand that have their own forest traditions. It originated in Thailand, primarily among the Lao-speaking community in Northeastern Thailand.

The Thai Forest Tradition emphasizes direct experience through the practice of meditation and strict adherence to the monastic rules (vinaya) over scholastic study of the Pali Tipitaka. Forest monks are considered to be specialists in meditation. The Forest Tradition is usually associated with the attainment of certain supernatural powers (abhiñña). It is widely known among Thai people for its orthodoxy, conservatism, and asceticism. Because of this, it has garnered a great deal of respect and admiration from the Thai people.

The adherents of this tradition model their practice and lifestyle on that of the Buddha and the early generations of his disciples. They are often referred to as 'forest monks' because they keep alive the practice of the historical Buddha, who himself spent a much time dwelling in forests during his spiritual quest.

Outside of Thailand, the Thai Forest Tradition exists in the United States (Thanissaro Bhikkhu, the community of Abhayagiri), Australia (Ajahn Brahm, Bodhinyana Monastery, Bodhivana Monastery), New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom (The Forest Hermitage, Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, Harnham Buddhist Monastery Aruna Ratanagiri and Chithurst Buddhist Monastery), Germany (Muttodaya Monastery, Metta Vihara, Anenja Vihara) and Italy with the monastery of Santacittarama. Perhaps its most widely known representative was Ajahn Chah and in the UK Ajahn Sumedho.

The Thai Forest Tradition draws its inspiration from teachings contained in the Sutta and Vinaya Pitakas of the Pali Canon, where the Buddha is frequently described as dwelling in forests. In the Pali Canon discourses, the Buddha frequently instructs his disciples to seek out a secluded dwelling (in a forest, under the shade of a tree, mountain, glen, hillside cave, charnel ground, jungle grove, in the open, or on a heap of straw). The Buddha himself achieved Awakening in a forest, under the foot of a Bodhi tree. In the Bhaya-bherava Sutta, the Buddha explained that the mental challenge he faced during his stay in the forest had aided his quest for Awakening. There are many suttas in the Pali Canon where the Buddha instructs monks to practice in remote wilderness. Here are some examples:

In the Andhakavinda Sutta:

'Come, friends, dwell in the wilderness. Resort to remote wilderness & forest dwellings.' Thus they should be encouraged, exhorted, & established in physical seclusion.

In the Dantabhumi Sutta:

Come you, monk, choose a remote lodging in a forest, at the root of a tree, on a mountain slope, in a wilderness, in a hill-cave, a cemetery, a forest haunt, in the open or on a heap of straw.

The Forest Tradition was revived in the early 1900s in Thailand. The revival movement was led by Ajahn Sao Kantasilo Mahathera and his student, Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta. In the 20th century notable practitioners included Ajahn Thate, Ajahn Maha Bua and Ajahn Chah. Theravada Buddhists regard the forest as part and parcel of the monastic training ground. As such, this training method needed to be revived and maintained for the benefit of oneself and future generations. Myanmar and Sri Lanka have had their own forest traditions.

In Thailand, Buddhism plays a central role in social life. In the early 1900s, the urban monasteries often served as centers of scholastic learning. Monks usually receive their education in monasteries and earn the rough equivalent of "graduate degrees" in the studies of Pali language and the Tipitaka scriptures, without necessarily engaging in the meditative practices described in the scriptures. During that period, it was also generally believed that it was no longer possible to achieve awakening. Because of the tendency in urban monastic life towards scholarship, debate, greater social activity and so on, some monks believed the original ideals of the monastic life (sangha) had been compromised. It was in part a reaction against this perceived dilution in Buddhism which led Ajahn Sao and Ajahn Mun to the simpler life associated with the forest tradition and the practice of meditation. Forest monasteries are situated far away from urban areas, usually in the wilderness or very rural areas of Thailand. One finds such monastic settings in other Buddhist countries as well such as Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Myanmar. The revival of the Forest Tradition is, then, an attempt to reach back to past centuries before modernization to reclaim the old standards of discipline, an attempt to stave off increasing laxness in contemporary monastic life.

It was later spread globally by Ajahn Mun's students including Ajahn Thate, Ajahn Maha Bua and Ajahn Chah and several western disciples among whom the most senior is Luang Por Ajahn Sumedho.

The household life is close and dusty, the homeless life is free as air. It is not easy, living the household life, to live the fully-perfected holy life, purified and polished like a conch shell. What if I, having shaved off my hair & beard and putting on the ochre robe, were to go forth from the home life into homelessness?

The Autobiography of a Forest Monk Venerable Ajahn Thate of Wat Hin Mark Peng Nongkhai Province by Venerable Ajahn Thate (Phra Rajanirodharangsee) translated from the Thai by Bhikkhu Ariyesako

2011-05-20T21:19:00.000-07:00

Contents

Foreword
Translator's Note
Preface to the First Edition
Preface to the Twelfth Edition
The Autobiography of a Forest Monk
Parents' Life Story
An Auspicious 'Dream' and A True Perception of my Youth
1. Oppressive Times and Its Effect on People
2. Meeting Venerable Ajahn Singh Khantayaagamo
3. Leaving Home for a Second Time (Following after Ven. Ajahn Singh)
4. Receiving the Going Forth as a Novice (Further Studies)
5. A Novice Becomes Government Millionaire
6. Ordination at Wat Sutat-narahm
7. First Taste of Yearning
8. A Group of Tudong Monks Leaves Ubon
9. Meeting the Venerable Ajahn Mun for the First Time
10. Second Rains Retreat, 1924 (at Nong Laht)
11. Third Rains Retreat, 1925 (at Nah Chang Nam)
11.1 Returning Home to Assist my Mother, Uncle and Brother
12. Fourth Rains Retreat, 1926 (in a Cemetery North of Ahgaht Amnoy District)
12.1 A Formula for Sleeping or not Sleeping
13. Fifth Rains Retreat, 1927 (Again at Nah Chang Nam Village)
14. Sixth Rains Retreat, 1928 (at Phra Nah Phak Hork Cave)
14.1 The Affair of Luang Dtah Mun
14.2 Concerning Luang Dtee-a Tong In
14.3 Staying with the Venerable Ajahn Sao
15. Rains Retreat, 1929, at Nah Sai Village
16. Eighth Rains Retreat, 1930 (with Ajahn Maha Pin at Phra Kreur Village)
17. Ninth Rains Retreat, 1931 (in the District of Phon)
18. Tenth Rains Retreat in Korat, 1932
18.1 Reflections and Anxieties that are not Dhamma
19. Eleventh Rains Retreat, 1932 (at Wat Araññavasee in Tah Bor)
19.1 Risky Encounters of the Monk's Life
19.2 Following Ven. Ajahn Mun into Burma, 1933
19.3 A Bad Omen for the Travelers
20. Twelfth Rains Retreat, 1934 (at Pah Mi-ang Maer Pung; A New Way of Meditation Practice)
20.1 A Distorted View Arises
21. Thirteenth Rains Retreat, 1935 (at a Moo-ser Village (Bahn Poo Phayah))
22. Fourteenth Rains Retreat, 1936 (The Same Location with Three Monks)
22.1 About the Forest People Entering the Village
22.2 The Latent Tendencies and Defilements of the Heart
23. Fifteenth Rains Retreat, 1937 (Bahn Pong in Maer Dtaeng District)
24. Sixteenth Rains Retreat, 1938 (in Nong Doo Village, Pah Sahng District, Lampoon Province)
25. Seventeenth to Twenty-fifth Rains Retreats, 1939-47 (in Wat Araññavaasee, Tah Bor, Nongkhai)
26. Twenty-sixth and Twenty-seventh Rains Retreat, 1948-1949 (Khao Noi, Tah Chalaep, Chantaburi Province)
26.1 Concerns for a Worrier
26.2 First Visit to Phuket Island and a Dangerous Encounter
27. Twenty-eighth Rains Retreat, 1950 (Koke Kloi, Phang-nga Province)
28. Twenty-ninth to Forty-first Rains Retreat, 1951-63 (in Phuket)
28.1 My Apprehensions Seem to be Coming True
29. Forty Second Rains Retreat, 1964 (Tam Khahm Cave, Phannah Nikom District, Sakhon Nakorn Province)
30. Forty-third to Fiftieth Rains Retreat, 1965-72 (at Hin Mark Peng)
31. Fifty-first and Fifty-second Rains Retreat, 1973-74 (Establishing Wang Nam Mork as a Monks' Dwelling Place)
32. Fifty-third Rains Retreat, 1975 (Building Wat Lumpini)
33. Fifty-fourth Rains Retreat, 1976-77 (Spreading the Dhamma Abroad)
33.1 Singapore — The First Stop
33.2 To Australia
Conversation with a Hindu Leader
The Essentials
Some Suggestions for Ven. Mahaa Samai
Reflections Arising from Australia
33.3 Visiting Indonesia
Some Views of Mine
33.4 Feelings about Going Overseas
34. Fifty-fifth and Fifty-sixth Rains Retreat, 1977-1978 (This Conditioned Body is the Va.tacakra)
35. Fifty-seventh Rains Retreat up to the Present, 1979-1991
Twenty-seven Years at Wat Hin Mark Peng
The Virtue and Merit of Buddhism
36. Summary
36.1 The Blessings and Beneficence of Parents
36.2 Activity that should not to be Performed (Kamma that should not to be Made)
36.3 Coming to Birth — Dying
Translator's Epilogue
Venerable Ajahn Thate's Funeral
Appendix A: Siila (Precepts)
Appendix B: The Dhamm' Characters as Written by Venerable Ajahn Fan Aacaaro
Appendix C: The Buddhist Order of Monks in Thailand
Appendix D: More Building Projects
Celebrating HM The King's Fifth Cycle Anniversary
Glossary

Steps Along the Path
Preface
Parting Thoughts
Glossary for Steps Along the Path
The Meaning of Anattaa

Read More.....

INVESTMENT Thailand – China high-speed train project to start in 2011

2011-05-09T23:46:00.000-07:00

A high-speed train project, a planned joint investment project between Thailand and China, which will link between the Thai capital and Nong Khai province bordering Laos is expected to be completed in late 2015, said Supoj Saplom, permanent secretary for Thai Transport Ministry.

Mr Supoj said after a meeting of the working committee on Friday that the meeting had discussed on preparing a draft of memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the joint venture project. The draft is expected to be ready in early January next year and forward to the cabinet for its consideration later the same month before it is submitted to the parliament for its consideration and approval in February.

Initially, the Beijing investment on the project between the two countries will be on a 50-50 per cent basis while the Thai finance ministry is responsible on investment details of the project.

Two more senior Thai officials — one from Finance Ministry and the other from Foreign Affairs Ministry — have been appointed to join the working committee as the entire process involves a joint investment between the two countries.

Distance between Bangkok and Nong Khai is about 640 kilometres. Previously, the scheme involved on constructing a high-speed train with dual rail track at construction costs estimated at Bt180 billion. But the costs could be lower between 20-30 per cent after the system is switched to a standard gate high-speed train system. Upon completion, the rail system could lower goods transportation costs as well as boosting tourism between Thailand and Laos.

via Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed train project to be completed late 2015.

China has agreed to invest in Thailand’s first high-speed railway, which was part of the talks between the two countries during Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister’s visit to China on July 16-23. Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban Wednesday reported to Thai Cabinet that China will provide investment, technology and management support for the 240-kilometre railway line from Bangkok to province of Rayong, the country’s official MCOT news agency reported.

Suthep also disclosed that the two countries may also cooperate in railway projects at the Thai-Lao border of Thailand’s Nong Khai province to Laos and China. The line is expected to also link southern Thailand to Malaysia.

He praised the quality of China’s high-speed railway system, adding that Chinese technology for high-speed trains is highly advanced. China has said it would promote Thailand as a tourist destination among Chinese. It will as well consider buying more rice from Thailand, while adding the rail link development will provide convenience of people in the region to travel and enhance a better logistics and transport system.

Boris Sullivan

The 8th SMEs in a Global Economy Conference 2011

2011-05-09T23:43:00.000-07:00

The 8th SMEs in a Global Economy Conference 2011: Rising to the Global Challenge: Entrepreneurship and SME development in Asia

9 to 11 November 2011
Nongkhai Province, Nongkhai Province, Thailand

Selected Papers will be potentially considered for the following refereed journals: Australasian Accounting Business and Finance Journal, Journal of New Business Ideas & Trends and International Journal of Business and Development Studies.

Organized by: Khon Kaen University, Nong Khai Campus, Nong Khai, Thailand
Deadline for abstracts/proposals: 30 July 2011

Thailand to proceed with high speed rail project

2011-05-09T23:39:00.000-07:00

BANGKOK, March 21 - Thailand's Transport Minister Sophon Zarum on Monday said the Thailand-China Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation has approved a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the construction of a Bangkok-Nong Khai high speed train route as proposed by his ministry.

The minister said the initial draft was approved by a joint committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban. The working committee on the project will initiate talks to conclude the MoU draft between Thailand and China. Talks will also be held at the ministerial level.

Mr Sophon added the completed draft will be proposed to Cabinet and later forwarded for parliamentary approval. He gave assurances that all processes will be done within the tenure of the Abhisit administration.

The 615-kilometre high speed train project will link the Thai capital to Nong Khai, the northeastern province bordering Laos, with an investment of Bt150 billion (US$50 billion).

Initially, the Transport Ministry plans the official signing of the MoU to take place in mid-2011, with construction expected to begin at the end of 2012 and open for serving the public in 2016. (MCOT online news)

Nong Khai-Padang Bezar high-speed train construction to be done in 4 years: Suthep

2011-05-09T23:37:00.001-07:00

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the construction of the Nong Khai-Bangkok-Padang Bezar high-speed train will start next year and will be completed in four years.

Suthep said he visited China to discuss the project in details on Saturday.

Suthep said the Chinese government asked him to speed up drafting conditions and seek a parliamentary approval before the contract for the construction will be signed in March or April.

Suthep said he also asked China to provide soft loan for the construction.

Source...The Nation

Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed train project to be completed late 2015

2011-05-09T23:36:00.001-07:00

BANGKOK, Nov 27 -- A high-speed train project, a planned joint investment project between Thailand and China, which will link between the Thai capital and Nong Khai province bordering Laos is expected to be completed in late 2015, said Supoj Saplom, permanent secretary for Thai Transport Ministry.

Mr Supoj said after a meeting of the working committee on Friday that the meeting had discussed on preparing a draft of memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the joint venture project. The draft is expected to be ready in early January next year and forward to the cabinet for its consideration later the same month before it is submitted to the parliament for its consideration and approval in February.

The parliamentary process is expected to be completed in March while construction could start in 2011 and furnished in late 2015, Mr Supoj said.

Initially, the Beijing investment on the project between the two countries will be on a 50-50 per cent basis while the Thai finance ministry is responsible on investment details of the project.

Two more senior Thai officials -- one from Finance Ministry and the other from Foreign Affairs Ministry -- have been appointed to join the working committee as the entire process involves a joint investment between the two countries.

Distance between Bangkok and Nong Khai is about 640 kilometres. Previously, the scheme involved on constructing a high-speed train with dual rail track at construction costs estimated at Bt180 billion. But the costs could be lower between 20-30 per cent after the system is switched to a standard gate high-speed train system. Upon completion, the rail system could lower goods transportation costs as well as boosting tourism between Thailand and Laos.

Thailand's joint parliamentary meeting on Oct 26 has approved a proposed draft framework of Thailand-China negotiations to construct a high-speed train system in Thailand.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva met his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao on Nov 12 and the latter agreed to speed up negotiations to construct a high-speed train system in Thailand.

The Chinese premier said the discussion should begin with the details of the routes and format of joint investment, according to Mr Abhisit. (MCOT online news)

The Finest Place For Retired Living In The Land Of Smiles

2011-04-24T21:43:00.000-07:00

Sun sets over Nong Khai by ~relaxis on deviant ART

There is a current trend that many more people are considering retirement in areas away from their current residences. Why you ask? The primary reason is to live your lifestyle.

For that reason alone, many choose Thailand. Whether it be in Chiang Rai, Nong Khai, Bangkok, or Kalasin, Thailand is one great place to live out your golden years.

Friendship bridge on Mekong by *Robert75 on deviant ART

If you want an idea of retired life in the Land of Smiles, this how I start off most of my days in Khon Kaen, Thailand. I have been retired here for one year and do not regret my choice at all.

I am usually greeted by the sound of a bell from a local Buddhist temple ringing indicating it is now time for the Buddhist monks to go on mornings alms rounds. Barefoot monks will walk up and down the side streets with a bowl and devotees will sit and wait with their merit making offering of sticky rice, milk, or sundry items.

As I ride my bicycle around the lake near my house I can see fisherman in small boats on the lake or wading with their nets strung out to ensnare the fish.

Runners and other early morning exercise enthusiasts run the two-and-a-half miles around the lake or use the free exercise equipment.

Food vendors are firing up their barbecue grills and cooking chicken or pork on wooden skewers.

Kids in blue and white uniforms waiting for the modified pick-up truck to carry them to school.

Store owners are busily sweeping last night’s rubbish from the front of their small business.

Drunks on their way home stop at the 7-11 to get munchies or medicine to cure their hangover.

Motorcycles with sidecars go zipping by carrying businessmen and women to their government jobs.

The start of another day in Khon Kaen.

This is what I usually wake up and see during my morning bicycle ride. I do this to get some exercise and keep the weight off, get away from the computer and televison, and see the city that I have now chosen for my home.

Buddhist Monk by *CalThai on deviant ART

Larry Westfall is retired in Thailand and living the good life in Khon Kaen

Retire And Enjoy The Good Life In Thailand

2011-04-24T21:39:00.000-07:00

Isaan Sunrise by ~jbrum on deviant ART

For men looking to get more out of life –

I have 3 questions for you:
1. Have you ever wished to retire to a sunlit equatorial climate?
2. Are you disenfranchised with the way things are going in your nation and civilization?
3. Do you long to become happy again?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may need to explore hidden lands. Those lands that comprehensively break the norm and boundaries of your current culture.

I did just such a thing when I visited Thailand for the first time, and I’ve been going back ever since. I fell in love with the region so much that I plan to retire there early, and spend the rest of my life as an expatriate.

Why do I want to do so? Here are various reasons:
1. I love temperate warm and humid climates
2. An affluence of unattached affectionate women
3. I need a country where my finances can go a long way
4. I always wanted to live on or near the beach
5. It seems as though I no longer fit in

Finances

One of the main things to keep in view when planning such a move is economic affairs. Although your dollars may go much further in Thailand, to under-finance your new way of life will be devastating. You must look at the master plan. Once over there, your options to create income will be minimal, so you must salt away! 10 to 20 grand is not going to do it for you.

Most Popular Areas for Expats In Thailand

Two of the most attractive areas for expats in Thailand are Bangkok and Pattaya. Bangkok is an amazingly large city with all that goes along with a huge major city:
1. Shopping
2. Dining
3. Arts
4. Nightlife

Pattaya is a beach resort area huge into the nightlife. Pattaya first started out as an “R and R” spot for American servicemen during the Vietnam War and has been going strong ever since.

You don’t have to limit yourself to these two areas, but first time expats are usually most comfortable in Bangkok or Pattaya due to the large expat communities. More and more expats are heading Northeast to the Isaan area of Thailand. Many have found their place in the sun in Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Udon Thani, or Korat.

Visa Runs

Once in Thailand, there is also the subject of remaining there legally. Most vacationers are granted a 30-day visa. When this is nearing an end, you must leave the country and re-enter so you are granted a new 30-day visa. This is a practice that will continue with your tenure in Thailand, unless you do the paperwork with the Thai government for a retirement visa.

If you plan to stay in Thailand for an extended period of time, you will need a current passport and visa. The type of visa is determined by the local Thai Consulate and what your plans are. If you wish to apply for a Non-Immigrant O-A visa (retirement), you will need to be at least 50 years old and meet some financial requirements. A doctor’s check and a background investigation are also required. Check with your local Thai consulate for up-to-date information.

If this sounds like a life you may be interested in, I caution you to read and research as much as you possibly can. You want to talk to as may expats as possible and get opinions on both sides.

Thailand is not for everyone. But for those of us that live here, we definitely love our life in the Land of Smiles.

The Way Home by ~jbrum on deviant ART

Larry Westfall is a retired expat living in Thailand and loves Isaan

Udon Thani - The Gateway City Full of Fire

2011-04-24T21:37:00.000-07:00

Udon Thani by *griswold on deviant ART

Udon Thani, also known as simply Udon, is a province in the northeast of Thailand, close to the Laotian border and is the gateway to Laos via the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai. It's capital city is also named Udon Thani. Most Thais refer to it as Udon.

It was relative unknown to foreigners until the Vietnam war, at which time the USA set up a military base. That base has since been turned over to Thailand, which was part of the deal when the USA was granted permission to set up the base.

Udon Thani itself is better known as a gateway city rather than a major tourist destination. Many tourists pass through on their way to somewhere else, such as Laos and Nong Khai during the time of the Naga Fireballs.

The Naga Fireballs is a phenomenon that has to be seen to be believed. No one seems to know how this phenomenon occurs, but it is predictable. Along the banks of the Mekong River, when the moon rises, the phenomenon begins, with these fireballs rising out of the river. Sometimes there are only a few. Sometimes there are thousands. This year, 2009, the phenomenon is expected to occur the evening of Sunday, October 4. If you wish to experience the phenomenon you won't be alone. As many as 500,000 spectators are expected. If you wish to go, if you don't already have hotel reservations, try to make them immediately. Don't be too surprised if you cannot find any vacancies. Reservations are usually made months in advance.

Getting to this area is easy. Udon Thani has a good passenger airport. There is also an abundance of bus services to Udon and is a 14 hour railroad train ride from Bangkok. Within the area there is plenty of public transportation. There are motorcycle taxis, tuk-tuks, baht buses, and even bicycle rickshaws for short-distance rides. You can also rent bicycles and pedal around the city yourself.

There are many mid-range priced hotels in the area and surrounding areas.

In Udon Thani you will find an abundance of Korean barbeque restaurants. These are quite popular in Udon. If that is not to your taste, then along with all the Thai food, you can find the typical fast food restaurants in the shopping centers and a few western restaurants. The best western restaurants, along with some the best shopping, can be found in the Charoen Shopping Complex. There is also a good night bazaar near the railroad station. The shopping action at the night bazaar usually begins around 5:00pm and finishes up around 10:30pm.

The Charoen Shopping Complex also houses most of the nighttime entertainment venues, with bars, karaokes, and English style pubs.

This area is in the real Issan part of Issan. Wherever you go, you can count on seeing one thing. Rice farms. Everywhere you look you'll see rice farms. This is the major industry in this area of Thailand and this is also the area at whioch most of Thailand's famous sticky rice is grown.

Sightseeing in and around the area includes:

* Ban Chiang - This is widely considered to be the most important recent archeological discovery in nearly all of Southeast Asia. The discoveries, beginning in 1967, here date back to the Bronze Age and artifacts have been made here that date back as far as 4400 BC. This is one of the finest museums in Thailand and is considered a must when visiting Udon Thani.
* Udon Thani Museum - This museum houses collections dating back to the founding of Udon Thani and includes an abundance of historical information.
* Udon Sunshine Orchid Farm - This is one of Thailand's finest collections of common and rare orchids. A stop here is a must if you are an orchid enthusiast and well worth a stop even if you are not. Some of the most beautiful flowers you will ever see can be found here.
* Phu Foi Lom - This is a major eco-tourism site, located in the Pa Phan Don-Pakho National Forest.
There are also several caves, waterfalls, rapids, and other historical sites to visit.
Local food products include the Chinese sausage called kun chiang, moo yong, which is a pork floss, moo yo, which is steamed pork, and moo naem, which is a sour pork product.

If you wish to enter Laos via the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai, the visa-on-arrival fee for foreigners is US $35 and entitles you to 30 days in Laos You must have two passport photos available. Thais pay a different fee of their own. Air conditioned buses to Vientiane depart six times daily from Udon Thani. The fare is 80 baht one way.
To learn the most abut this great area and Thailand, check out http://thailandvisa.com

space. by ~NeesaBear on deviant ART

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/udon-thani-the-gateway-city-full-of-fire-1547660.html#ixzz1KVNTatzX
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Traditional Thai-Medicine

2011-04-20T19:23:00.001-07:00

Traditional Thai-Medicine

Traditional Thai-Medicine is an ancient healing science. It is a cocktail of Indian Ayurvedic Practices, Traditional Chinese Medicine and genuine Thai folk healing and spiritual rituals.
Contrary to many Traditional Chinese Medicine or Ayurveda, it has never been formally systematized. The knowledge has been passed on from generation to generation orally, and written research is just showing up since efforts from various institutions in Thailand, specially the Ministry of Public Health.

There is a growing number of books on Traditional Thai-Medicine in English, and you can find most of them here:

Traditional Thai Medicine Books

Pierce Salguero's Books

There are some people outside of Thailand who also strongly promote and advertise traditional Thai-Medicine, Thai Massage and Herbal Medicine.
The most popular is definetly Pierce Salguero and his Tao Mountain. I have read Pierces books and they are well written, well researched and worthwhile reading. So I really can recommend you to go and get Pierce Salguero's books.
If you are into Traditional Thai-Massage, I really recommend you his Encyclopedia of Thai-Massage.
However, he wrote another nice book that on the herbal medicine of Thailand, it's full of recipies that you can use to enhance your own well being and background information you need and want to know. The book is called A Thai Herbal and it's well worth reading.
His third book deals with the religious, shamanic, spiritual side of medicine. Thai people believe strongly in spirits, ghosts and the supernatural. It's a fascinating, wonderful and mysterious world, and Pierce's Book The Spiritual Healing of Traditional Thailand can give you an insight into some aspects of it.

The Songkran Festival in Chiangmai

2011-04-19T19:49:00.000-07:00

Everywhere is wet at Songkran Festival Thailand by rainie_mine featuring distressed denim shorts

Songkran today is still the most important of all the Thai festivals and holidays. It marks the beginning of a new astrological year and is much in keeping with the old lunar calendar of Siam. It is officially celebrated this year on April 12, but the festival actually takes place over a period of four days. It includes the 'Troot Festival' discussed above as well as all the merit-making at Buddhist temples and the ultimate Songkran, or The Pouring of Water ritual, by which we have come to identify Songkran with today. Each year, the four-day celebration of Songkran consists of many activities, and these are briefly explained below.

April 12 is Wan Sungkharn Lohng. This is a day for house cleaning and general preparation for the New Year. In the evening it is traditional for Thais to dress up as a signal of the coming new year.
In Chiangmai, the Songkran procession is held on this day. This is a parade through Chiangmai comprised of Buddha images and attendants on floats, which are accompanied by minstrels and the town's people. The procession begins at Nawarat Bridge on the Mae Ping River and moves the Thapae Gate before approaching its final destination of Wat Prasingh.

April 13 is Wan Nao. On this day people prepare cooked meals and preserved food for the Buddhist merit-making that takes place on the following day.
Activities at Wat Prasingh continue on this day and in the evening local residents go to the banks of the Mae Ping River and gather sand to be deposited in piles topped by flowers in the temples. This practice is the ancient "raising the temple grounds" ritual which was necessary in the old days because then Thai New Year was held at the end of the rainy season in the first month of the old Thai Lunar Calendar.

April 14 is Wan Payawan. On this day a grand new year begins with early morning merit-making at the temples. Preserved and cooked foods, fresh fruit, monks' robes and other offerings are made at the temples. In the home, people do the final cleaning of Buddha images using scented water.
Traditionally this is the day that the pouring of water begins. It was once the practice to pour gently, but the fun-loving Thais have transposed this into a relative water free-for-all.

April 15 is Wan Parg-bpee. On this day homage is paid to ancestors, elders and other persons deserving respect because of age of position. This is called 'Rohd Nam Songkran', meaning 'The Pouring of Songkran Water', and the water is sprinkled on the elder persons while uttering wishes of good luck and a happy future.
In Chiangmai, this is the final day of the celebration and the day on which people have built up to a crescendo of water throwing. It is the day when all family and religious obligations have been completed and the people are totally dedicated to "Sanook...Sanook."

Thailand Vacation - Things to Do in Bangkok

2011-04-19T19:46:00.000-07:00

Sawatdee Thailand..For my vacation:) by rainie_mine featuring harem pants

Bangkok is one of the most vibrant cities in the world. It's loud, it's noisy, it's modern and fast-moving, and at the same time it's quiet, slow and old-fashioned. It's a fusion city, a city where tradition and modernity not just meet, but mix and create something new.

It's a fascinating place. Many people who make a stopover in Bangkok for a couple of days before heading to one of the many beautiful beaches Thailand has to offer do not like it at all. All they see are decadent red-light districts, annoying traffic jams and nosy tuktuk-drivers.

But that's really just Bangkok's most outer layer - that's what is the easiest to find for a tourist who comes here. If you peel that first layer away, you will find the many other faces of Bangkok: the gentle, the kind, the cultural, the culinary, the religious and more.

Temples in Bangkok
There are so many temples in Bangkok, if you have an interest in Buddhism or religious architecture, you will love it here. The temples are built in many different styles, and the "must see" temples are the Wat Pho which features the 46 meter long reclining Buddha image and Wat Arun, which is just across the river.

Wat Trai Mit is another impressive place to see, as it houses the golden Buddha. It's the largest Buddha statue in the world made out of solid gold. And it has an mysterious history. Nobody knows for sure how old this Buddha statue is. And in fact, nobody even knew it existed until a couple of decades ago. It was once covered in plaster, probably to hide it from invading armies who where known to melt down the gold from Buddha statues. Accidentally a monk discovered that under the plaster, there was a golden Buddha, when a piece of the plaster chipped of.

Culture and History
If you want to know more about the history of Thailand and gain a better understanding of Thai culture, the National Museum is a great place to visit.

Many people also like to visit the Grand Palace, which is a huge compound that mixes architectural influences from different regions of the world.

Shopping
Seasoned shoppers love Bangkok. It's a true shoppers paradise. Do you have cash to spend? Modern shopping palaces like the Siam Paragon or Central World offer you ample opportunity to buy pretty much all the material things that one can crave for. Almost every luxury brand of the world has a flagstore at Siam Paragon, and in case you want to buy a new Lamborghini, just head to the second floor.

If you want cheap clothes and fashion accessories, you probably want to check out Pratunam, specially Platinum Mall. But Pahurat also has a lot to offer, just as Bobae.

And then there is the Chatuchak Weekend Market, also known as JJ or Jatujak market. It's the world's largest weekend market and has a very diverse mix of merchandise on offer. If you love markets, this is the one to check out.

There is so much more to do in Bangkok. But it can be overwhelming.

21/60 Bangkok by julietaV featuring printed shorts

To learn more about temples in Bangkok visit http://www.bangkoktemples.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ramin_Assemi

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4086092

Thailand@2500

2011-04-11T20:30:00.000-07:00

Songkran 2011

2011-04-11T09:22:00.000-07:00

Thailand Songkran Festival

View more presentations from Paolo Basso - Phuket

Lots of festivities and feast in Thailand are beyond doubt remarkable one. One of the most awaited festivities in Thailand is the Songkran Festival. Thai people, travelers and tourists are looking forward for this event especially the Songkran 2011. This celebration falls from the 13th to 15th day of April. What to expect during this event? Well, if you love water during the hottest days in Thailand you this festivity is surely right for you! It is the biggest Water Fight in Thailand wherein you'll certainly get soaked in water the moment you put your foot outside your doorstep.

Seeing everyone handling their bucket of water and water gun, while shouting out loud "Sawadee Pi Mai" meaning Happy New Year, you'll be amazed on how Thai people express their happiness in this special occasion. Songkran Festival is the longest holiday that is why most of the travelers and vacationers set their holidays on this day to ensure that they will be a part of this once a year event. For people in Thailand, water is the main thing for cleansing purposes for them to wash away all the evil doings that they've done from the past. It is also one way of removing bad fortune for the years ahead.
Songkran Festival is not merely on the water throwing, though for some people especially for the vacationers it is the main highlights of the festivity. The real essence of this festivity aside from cleansing them and washing away bad luck, traditionalists take this opportunity to give respect to their ancestors, elders' neighbors and friends. During this time they also have a monastery visit to feed the monks and offer prayers to revered Buddha.

Songkran 2011 is one major event to look forward to. It is not just for fun but it is also a circumstance to do well and show respect to the people around you. Being a part of this big event, you will truly feel how Thai people treasure their families. You can also feel how warm they welcome you the time you enter in this perfect place. You're not just a tourist to them but you are also a part of the celebration.

Songkran festival in Thailand

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Holiday List Thailand - 2011

2011-04-11T09:16:00.000-07:00

January - 01 Saturday New Year's Day
January - 03 Monday New Year's Day - Observed
February - 18 Friday Magha Puja
April - 06 Wednesday Chakri Memorial Day
April - 13 Wednesday Songkran
April - 14 Thursday Songkran
April - 15 Friday Songkran
May - 01 Sunday Labor Day
May - 02 Monday Labor Day - Observed
May - 05 Thursday Coronation Day
May - 17 Tuesday Vesak Day
July - 15 Friday Asalha Puja
August - 12 Friday The Queen's Birthday
October - 23 Sunday Chulalongkorn Day
October - 24 Monday Chulalongkorn Day - Observed
December - 05 Monday The King's Birthday
December - 10 Saturday Constitution Day
December - 12 Monday Constitution Day - Observed
December - 31 Saturday New Year's Eve

Holidays in Thailand

New Year's Day
(Wan Khuen Pi Mai) New Year's Day is the first day of the year. On the modern Gregorian calendar, it is celebrated on January 1.

Makha Bucha
(Wan Makha Bucha) Makha Bucha is an important religious festival celebrated by Buddhists in Thailand on the full moon day of the third lunar month (this usually falls in February). Makha Bucha Day is for the veneration of Buddha and his teachings on the full moon day of the third lunar month.The spiritual aims of the day are: not to commit any kind of sins; do only good; purify one's mind.

Chakri Memorial Day
(Wan Chakkri) Chakri Day commemorates the founding of the Chakri Dynasty in 1782 by King Rama I, known among Thais as Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke the Great who assumed power on April 6. During the day, the nation pays respects to all of the Kings of the Dynasty.

Songkran
(Wan Songkran) The Songkran festival is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year's Day from 13 to 15 April. Families and friends gather to celebrate by visiting temples, sprinkling water on Buddha images in reverence, and sprinkling water on each other's hands as an act of wishing good luck. The word Songkran is from the Sanskrit meaning the beginning of a new Solar Year, but nowadays Thailand celebrates the New Year on 31 December.

Labor Day
(Wan Raeng Ngan Haeng Chat)

International Labor Day is also celebrated as a national holidayin Thialand.

Coronation Day
(Wan Chattra Mongkhon) Commemorates the coronation of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1950. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was crowned as Rama IX, the 9th king of the Chakri dynasty, on 5th May 1950.

Vesak
(Wan Wisakha Bucha) Buddhist observance commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha.Also observed as National Tree Day. It falls on the full moon of the 6th lunar month.

Asalha Puja
(Wan Asanha Bucha) Asalha Puja (known as Asanha Puja or Asarnha Bucha) is a buddhist festival which typically takes place in July, on the full moon of the eighth lunar month. It commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon in the Deer Park in Benares and the founding of the Buddhist sangha. The day is observed by donating offerings to temples and listening to sermons.

Beginning of Vassa
(Wan Khao Phansa) This day marks the beginning of the Buddhist ‘lent’ period, a time when monks are supposed to retreat to their temples while new life springs forth. Known as "Khao Phansa", the Buddhist Lent is a time devoted to study and meditation.

The Queen's Birthday
(Wan Chaloem Phra Chonmaphansa Somdet Phranang Chao Phra Boromma Rachininat)

Commemorates the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen Sirikit in 1932; also observed as National Mother's Day (Wan Mae Haeng Chat).

Chulalongkorn Day
(Wan Piya Maharat) Commemorates the passing of King Chulalongkorn in 1910. Piya Maharat is a nickname for the King, meaning the beloved great king.

The King's Birthday
(Wan Chaloem Phra Chonmaphansa Phrabat Somdet Phra Chao Yuhua)

Commemorates the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1927. Also observed as National Day and National Father's Day.

Constitution Day
(Wan Rattha Thammanun)

Commemorates the promulgation of the first permanent constitution in 1932.

New Year's Eve
(Wan Sin Pi) Final day of the Gregorian year. The day before the Western New Year day is always marked a national holiday.