Thailand Travel The Land of Smiles at smiling-holiday.blogspot.com

The Celebrations on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King's 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary 5th December 2011 Commemorative Stamps

2011-12-08T23:22:00.000-08:00

Worldwide recognition

Seven designs featuring pictures of the coins and awards that different international organizations presented to His Majesty the King.

The Celebrations on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King's 7the Cycle Birthday Anniversary 5th December 2011

1. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) : Rome, Italy

2. World Health Organization (WHO) : GENEVA Switzerland

3. The Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award (UNDP) : The United States of America

4. THE INTERNATIONAL RICE AWARD, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) : Laguna, Philippines

5. Glory to the Greatest inventor : His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in the Year of Creativity & Innovation 2009 : Hungary

6. WIPO Global Leader Award (WIPO) : Geneva, Switzerland

7. Gold medal with mention, Brussels Eureka 2000 : 49th World Exhibition of Innovation. Research and New Technology, Brussels, Belgium

The Stamps are printed in four colors on foils sheets with embossed patterns to imitate each coin. A profile drawing of His Majesty the King in gold foil is placed on top of the award in each stamp.

Eye on Thailand, Thailand's 'Angel Princess'

2011-12-06T18:16:00.000-08:00

http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/eye.on/

Reverred in Thailand, Pricess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
uses her status to improve education in deprived communities.

credit : www.cnn.com

Loi Krathong 2011, Postage Stamps

2011-11-09T22:54:00.000-08:00

ประเพณีสะท้อนวิถีไทย
Reflection of Thai Way of life, Postage Stamps

ลอยกระทงสาย (จังหวัดตาก)
Loi Krathong Sai (Tak Province)

Tak Province organizes Loi Krathong Sai Festival on the full moon of the 12th lunar month of each year. Latex of Yang trees is mixed with wood chips, formed into small balls and placed at the bottom of halved coconut shells. Ont eh nights of the festival the latex balls are lighted and floated in the Ping River at regular intervals, forming long rows of the flickering lights above the water. These coconut shells (krathong) will eventually flow out of the audiences' sight. It is believed that participants and spectators of this festival will be blessed with what they wished for during the festival.

ยี่เป็ง (จังหวัดเชียงใหม่)
Yi-Peng Festival (Chiang Mai Province)
This stamp depicts the 12th Lunar Month Full Moon Festival of Lanna thai (the northern region) which is known as Yi-Peng. On the day of Yi-Peng, people decorated Buddhist temples and their houses with banana trees, sugar cane, coconut fronds, Tung flowers, and Chor Prateep. Various styles of paper lamps called Khom Yi-Peng are hoisted high as offerings to the Lord Buddha. Small bowl lamps are hoisted high as offerings to the Three Gems of Buddhism while floating paer lamps are lighted and released into the sky as offerings to Phra Ketkaew Chulamanee in heaven.

ไหลเรือไฟ (จังหวัดนครพนม)
The Festival of illuminated Boat Procession (Nakhon Phanom Province)
The Festival of illuminated Boat procession or locally known as Lai Rua Fai is an important festival held by the northasterners to celebrate the end of Buddhist lent on the 15th vexing moon night or the 1st waning moon night of the 11th lunar month of each yeear. "Rua Fai" is a boat made from banana trunks or bamboos of 5-6 wah tied together. Swets and any itms people want to donate are placed in the boat. the boat exterior is decorated with flowers, incense sticks, candles, lamps and torches to be lighted before the boat is released into a canal or river. This is the origin of the name "Lai Rua Fai".

เผาเทียนเล่นไฟ (จังหวัดสุโขทัย)
Loy Krathong and Candle Festival (Sukhothai Province)
This festival has been held as far back as Sukhothai period. Inthe reign of King Ramkhamhaeng, it was known as "Jong parien ceremony" or Loi Phra Prateep". There was a mention in the Stone inscription No. 1 that this was the largest festival in Sukhothai city, which led to a belief that this must be the same festival as Loi Krathong.

Date of Issue : November 10, 2011
Credit : Thai Stamp Bulletin Vol.2011 issue 4 (Oct - Dec, 2011)

The Big (Headed Ghost Cave) Part II

2011-10-06T02:35:00.000-07:00

ถ้ำผีหัวโต หรือกระโหลกผี

ตั้งอยู่ในเขตหมู่ที่ 2 บ้านบ่อท่อ อำเภออ่าวลึก จังหวัดกระบี่ ชาวบ้านเรียกว่าถ้ำหัวกระโหลด เพราะว่า พบกระโหลกศรีษะมนุษย์ภายในถ้ำ เมื่อปี พ.ศ.2497

The Big - headed Ghost
The Big - headed Ghost or the Skull Cave is located in Moo 2, Ban Bo Tho, Krabi Province's Ao-luk District. The villagers here call it the Skull Cave because in 2497 H.E. skulls were found in the cave.

ภายในถ้ำเป็นภูเขาหินปูน มีหินงอกหินย้อย บริเวณที่พบภาพเขียนสี ส่วนใหญ่จะอยู่ตามเพดานถ้ำ และผนังถ้ำ เป็นแหล่งที่พบภาพเขียนสีมากที่สุดในภาคใต้ ซึ่งแบ่งได้เป็น 3 ลักษณะ คือ 1. รูปร่างคน 2. ไม่เป็นรูปร่างคน สัตว์ 3. ลักษณะพิเศษเป็นรูปมือเท้า สีที่ใช้มีหลากสี ได้แก่ สีแดง ดำ เหลือง และน้ำตาล

It is a Iaimestone cave with stalagmites and stalactites, Cave paintings are also found on the roof and the walls of the cave. Compared to other caves in the south of Thailand, this cave is believed to have the largest number of mural paintings. The painted murals in the cave can be divided into three main categories. Those in the shape of human beings and animals, nonhuman being and those shaped like a hand and foot, a variety of colours was used in painting such as red, black, yellow and brown.

ภาพเขียนสีเหล่านี้ เป็นหลักฐานสำคัญทางโบราณคดี ที่แสดงให้เห็นว่าเมื่อประมาณ 3,000 ปีมาแล้ว แถบชายฝั่งทะเลอันดามัน มีชุมชนสมัยก่อนประวัติศาสตร์ ที่ว่าคงชีวิตอยู่ด้วยการอาศัยทรัพยากรตามชายฝั่ง และในทะเลเป็นแหล่งอาหารและที่อยู่อาศัย

Tham Pee Hua Toe,Krabi - Part I

2011-09-05T21:08:00.000-07:00

ถ้ำผีหัวโต
อุทยานแห่งชาติ ธารโบกขรณี
จังหวัดกระบี่

Tham Pee Hua Toe
Thanboke Koranee National Park
Krabi, Thailand

Cave Art, Rock Art

สภาพที่ตั้ง

ถ้ำอยู่ในเขาของกลุ่มเขาถ้ำลอดใต้ เป็นภูเขาหินปูนในอ่าวพังงา

ในแนวเทือกเขาภูเก็ต ตัวถ้ำอยู่สูงกว่าระดับน้ำทะเล ประมาณ 10 เมตร

ภูมิประเทศโดยรอบถ้ำเป็นป่าชายเลน มีลักษณะเป็นอ่าวใน

Statelocation

Cave in his group, he coves under the underpass. The limestone hills in vertical mountain basin Nga Phuket The Caves above sea level about 10 meters terrain around the mangrove cave. Look inside the bay.

Thai alphabet and nationhood

2011-07-31T23:36:00.000-07:00

Thai alphabet and nationhood

Language is one of the most important cultural aspects of Thailand. Apart form being a means of communication, the Thai language is also a valuable cultural heritage that reflects the country's progress and prosperity. It signifies the "unity" of the Thai people

The Thai language is an important national identity that deserves to be preserved for posterity. The Commitee for the Thai Language Campaign, Chulalongkorn University, made a recommendation to the government that a "Thai Language Day" be established to raise public awareness of the Thai language's merit and significance to recruit their year has been designated the "National Thai Language Day" for the presided over an academic conference organized by the Thai Language Club of the Faculty of Art, Chulalongkorn University, and participated in a discussion with other Thai Language experts.

44 Thai alphabet

The Thai Alphabet Postage Stamps

Date of issue : July 29, 2011

Credit : Thai Stamp Bulletin Vol. 2011 issue 3, July-September 2011

Helping the Human Race

2011-05-10T23:34:00.000-07:00

Red Cross 2011 Commemorative Stamp
Date of Issue : 30 March 2011
Purpose : To commemorate the Thai Red Cross Fair 2011

Helping the Human Race
The Thai Red Cross Society is a non-profit organization, established to promote humanitarian causes. It provides assistance to the sick, the deprived and the victims of mishaps, without discrimination on the grounds of sex, aga, social position, caste, nationality, religion or politacal ideology. The present Executive vice-President of the Thai Red Cross Society is Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

During her term of office, the Princess has closely supervised and helped to develop the Red Cross activities, enabling it to consistently progress and contributing to its success by boosting the morale of officials and employees at all levels.

credit : Thai Stamp Bulletin 1

Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, Ayuttaya

2011-04-19T02:48:00.000-07:00

Ayutthaya is a distinguishingly historical place that still keeps its mesmerising charm until today. This province once was a capital city for the longest period in the Thai history. Thus, it is rich of historical sites and historical artifacts, making it the world's notable cultural heritage.

Wat Yai Chaimongkhon constructed in King U-Theng's era. housing a pagoda built by King Naresuan the Great to commemorate his victory over a Burmese King.

The Reclining Buddha image and its vihara were probably built in the reign of King Narasuan. It was particularly used to worship and meditation. The present image was restored in A.D. 1965.

King Narasuan The Great Palace

King Narasuan

Phra Mongkhon Bophit, Phra Nakorn Si Ayutthaya Province

2011-03-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

Phra Mongkhon Bophit

History of Phra Mongkhon Bophit
Phra Mongkhon Bophit is one of the largest bronze Buddha images in Thailand. The image measures 9.55 metres at the widest point across the lap, and 12.45 metres high without the base. This Buddha image is seated in the position of subduing mara and situated on the west side of the old palace compound in the Vihara of Phra Mongkhon Bophit temple. The image is believed to have been condstructed in the early Ayutthaya period between 1448 to 1602 A.D. and was originally situated at the east side of the old palace compound. Later, during the reign of King Song Tham it was moved to the west side and a Mondop was built to shelter it. During the reign of King Phra Chao Sua (1706 A.D.) the top part of the Mondop and the head of the image were damaged by lightning. The Mondop was converted into a Vihara and the main restoration of Phra Mongkhon Bophit was completed during the reign of King BoromaKote (1742-1743 A.D.).

During the fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1767, the roof of the Vihara was damaged by fire and the head and the right arm of the image were broken. Later the image was repaired and the Vihara was completed again in 1956.

On 23 March 1990, The Supreme Patriarch presided over a candle lighting ceremony in front of the image and amounced that people could honour the image by convering it with gold leaf H.M.Queen Sirikit auspiciously paid homage to the image a donated Baht 70,000 to the restoration fund. Henceforward the Mongkhon Bophit Foundation undertook to cover the image with gold leaf in celebration of the 60th birthday of H.M. Queen Sirikit.

credit : signed board Courtesy of Shangri-la hotel

Wat Pho or Wat Phra Chetuphon

2011-02-24T23:18:00.000-08:00

Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajworamahavihan

Wat Pho or Wat Phra Chetuphon, the oldest and largest wat in Bangkok, was built in the 16th century during the Ayutthaya period and then almost completely rebuilt in 1781 by King Rama I.

It leatures the largest reclining Buddha and the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand and was the earliest centre for public education.

Phra Buddhasaiyas

Viharn Phranorn

Wat Pho is the national headquarters for the teaching and preservation of traditional Thai medicine, including Thai massage.

The Eight Chinese Deities

2011-02-03T22:33:00.000-08:00

Li Tie Guai, the Deity of Medicine and Medical Treatment, is a young, intelligent and robust man. He is a vegetarian, follows religious precepts and leads and austere life.

Han Zhong Li, the Deity of Fortune, is plump and of huge stature, with a broad forehead, long, thick eyebrows and a large nose.

Lu Dong Bin is the Deity of Industry, Trad and Business, Intellectual People and eyebrows and elongated eyes like those of the swan. His left eyebrow is marked with a black mould. His fae features a large, round nose, chubby cheeks, a wide mouth and a long, slender neck. this eight foot two inch Deity is clever and has a very good memory.

Zhang Guo Lao is the Deity of Stability, Long Life and Good Health. The Zhang Guo Lao legend has it that a white bat lived on the sunlight and the moonlight for over a thousand years until it was made into the deity. He can transform himself into an aged man and he has a white donkey as his vehicle.

Lan Cai He is the Deity of Flowers and Abundance. According to legend, this Deity was given a mirculous fruit that enabled him to maintain his youthful looks and complexion forever. There is nothing to show whether this Deity is male or female, but in Taoism, he is taken to be a male.

He xian Gu is the Deity of Virtues, Loyalty and Gratitude. He is knowledgeable, articulate and his words are endowed with reason. He is graceful and tender in his manner. He loves to help the deprived with his magical powers and he is able to give solid predictions.

Han Xiang Zi is the Deity of Fortune Telling. He is regarded as a prophet and a music lovers. Having a special interest in people who had megical power he took lessons in magic and pracised penance wiht Lu Dong Bin.

Cao Guo Jiu is theDeity of Status and Prestige, Royal Duties, Employees and Loyatty. He was a member of the royal family and was blessed with a great fortune, yet he decided to sacrifice his luxurious and easy life for meditation.

The Eight Chinese Deities Stamp

Date of Issue : February 1, 2011

Credit : Thai Stamp Bulletion Vol 2011 issue 1

Madame Tussauds Bangkok Part II

2011-02-02T18:40:00.000-08:00

Ludivig van Beethoven

Albert Einstein

Devid Beckham

Khaosai Galaxy

"The Left hand tht drills intestines"

Muhammad Ali

"I am the greatest"

Tony Jaa

Ronaldinho

Michael Jackson

Jim Carrey

Oprah

Tata Young

Britney Spears

Madonna

Nicole Kidman

Shayne Ward

Leonardo Dicaprio

Angelina Jolie & Brad Piec

Madame Tussauds Bangkok - Part I

2011-01-17T01:27:00.000-08:00

Madame Tussauds Bangkok
The World's Favourite wax museum
10th attraction in Bangkok, with over 70 wax figures
at 6th Floor Siam Discovery, Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan,
Bangkok 10330

Buddhadasa Bhikkhu

Born : Surat Thani Province, Thailand

The Dalai Lama

Born : 6th July 1935 in North-East Tibet

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Born : Elizabeth Alexanda Mary on 21st April, 1926 in London,United Kingdom

Diana, Pricess of Wales

Michelle Obama & Barack Obama

Obama in the Oval Office

General Prem Tinsulanonda

Having served His Majesty The King Bhumibol Adulyadej as Precident of the Privy Council

since 1998

Born : Songkhla Province,Thailand

M.R.Seni Pramoj

As a co-founder and a leader of Democrat Party,

M.r. Seni Pramoj served as Prime Minister of Thailand, the youngest Prime Minister

at the age of 40 in 1945

Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore

Hu Jintao

He is now serving as the 4th and current precident of the People's Republic of China

and General Secretary of the Communist Party

Born : Jiangsu Province, China

Mahatma Gandhi

Born : Mohadas Karamchand Gandhi 2nd October 1869 in Gujarat, India

Died on 30th January, 1948 in Delhi, India

Aung San Suu Kyi

She was awarded the Noble Peace Prize in 1991

Born : Rangoon , Burma

Dr. Porntip Rojanasunan

is Thailand's most senior forensic pathologist,author and human rights activist.

Sunthorn Phu

The Great post of the Ratanakosin Era

Born : Thon Buri Palace (Phra Racha Wang Derm) in Bangkok

Pablo Picasso

Wat Rakhang

2011-01-06T01:23:00.000-08:00

Wat Rakhang Kosittaram Woramahavihara (Wat Rakhang) was built in the Ayutthaya period.

Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To Brahmaramsi) Wat Rakhang Khositaram Woramahawihan, Bangkok vast and complex Buddhist knowledge in easily comprehensible way to general public. He is widely respected among Buddhists from early reign of Chakri Dynasty. He was born on Aripl 17, 1788 (B.E. 2331) at Pichit Province and died on June 22, 1872 (B.E. 2415) at Wat Rakhang Khositaram Woramahawihan at the age of 84 years old. His important artifiacts include many sets of small image of Buddha.

credit : Thai Stamp Bulletin

Chao Praya Express boat to Wat Rakhang Pier

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2011

2010-12-21T22:00:00.000-08:00

This Land is Mine

2010-12-15T20:05:00.000-08:00

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (This Land is Mine)
5 December, 2010 at Dusit Palace Plaza (King Rama V Statue)
Photo Album

Long Live The King of Thailand, His Majesty the King's 83 Birthday Annivesary on 5 December, 2010

2010-12-09T01:29:00.000-08:00

Long Live The King of Thailand
His Majesty The King's 83 Birthday Annivesary on 5 December, 2010

Photo Album
Part I

Body Ornaments : Belief,Beauty, Creativity

2010-11-28T23:42:00.000-08:00

Body Ornaments : Belief,Beauty,Creativity
and exhibition at Phufa Treasure Trove, 4th Floor, Siam Paragon,
during October - December, 2010

Bronze anklet and ear plugs, dated about 2,300-1,800 year ago

Bangles and beads made of marine shell, dated about 3,000 years ago

Chalcedony & Agate

Fluorite, Labradorite, Agate, Tiger's Eye

Temporary Exhibitions at Phufa Treasure Trove
"Body Ornament : Belief, Beauty, Creativity" is the 8th special temporary exhibition displayed in Phufa Treasure Trove, Siam Paragon. This specialized shop was initiated by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and is expected to be a cultural center in downtown of Bangkok. The main purpose of Phufa Treasure Trove is to support the creativity, imagination. innovation as well as the integration of science, techology and arts.

Two to three temporary exhibitions are planned to be displayed each year in Phufa Treasure Trove in which crafts and souvenirs that can inform and imply the beauty and meaning of natural and cultural products from the past to the present can be acquired.

Operating the Phufa Treasure Trove can also be considered as an activity of the "Fund for the Development of Chidren and Youth in Remote Areas" which is a nonprofit organization initiated by, and under the patronage of, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Loi Krathong Festival

2010-11-22T01:34:00.000-08:00

Loi Krathong Festival 21 November 2010

http://www.loikrathong.net/en/index.php

Wonderfull Palaces

2010-11-10T00:49:00.000-08:00

The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace standing next to Sanam Luang was constructed by King Rama I immediately after Bangkok was made the capital to replace Thon Buri. Inside the spacious palace exist several small palaces notably the Dusit Palace, the Arphonhimok Palace, the Phiman Rataya Palace and the Chakri Palace.

Thailand Vegetarian Festival 2010

2010-10-13T01:22:00.000-07:00

Thailand Vegetarian Festival 2010

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Date : 7 - 16 October 2010

Venue : All Chinese shrines in Phuket, Nawamin Ground and Saphan Hin Gymnasium, Phuket

Website : http://www.phuketvegetarian.com/

Krabi Vegetarian Festival

Date : 7 - 16 October 2010

Venue : Krabi City Pillar Shrine (In front of Krabi Provincial Hall)

Trang Vegetarian Festival

Date : 7 - 16 October 2010

Vene : Kieo Ong Ia Shrine, Chao Poh Muen Ram Trang Shrine and all shrines throughout Trang

Photo Album : Trang Vegetarian Festival 2009

Hat yai, Songkhla Vegetarin Festival

Date : 7 - 16 October 2010

Website : http://kin-j.khontai.com/

Guan Yin Postage Stamp (2nd Series), The Power of Miracles

2010-10-13T01:19:00.000-07:00

The Power of Miracles

The Thousand Armed and Thousand Eyed Guan Yin or, for short, The thousand Armed Guan yim is one of the attitudes of the Bhodhisattava Guan Yin. The Guan Yin goddess looks grand and majestic, creating asense of awe at her miraculous powers.

the Characteristics of the Goddess in this particular attitude have two hidden meanings. Firstly, the Goddess uses her one thousand eyes to look after creatres that are in a limbo of suffering through her mercy and with her 1,000 arms, she pulls them away from capture in the meaningless life cycle. The second meaning refers to the miracles of the Bodhisattava in being able to subdue evil and it them from intruding into human lives.

Guan Yin Postage Stamp

Date of Issue : October 10, 2010

OTOP 2010 (One Tambon One Product)

2010-10-05T23:07:00.000-07:00

Photo Album : OTOP Mid Year 2010

(21-29 August, 2010 at Impact Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi Province.)

OTOP (One Tambon One Product)

Product from nature, extraordinarily skills lands, unique local materials and thailand's cultural heritage,

The purpose of OTOP was to improve upon, refine the locally available resources and produce goods that are acceptable internationally.

OTOP (One Tambon One Product) - unit called, Tambon,which is the equivalent of Village or Town in English.

OTOP City 2009 (Part I)
OTOP City 2009 (Part II)
OTOP City 2009 (Part III)

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai (2)

2010-09-20T02:13:00.000-07:00

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, in Doi Suthep National Park, is one of the most popular temples in Chiang Mai with worshippers.
Tourists travelling to this province usually come by to pay respects at this temple.
Leading to the temple, which is around 11km. from the foot of the mountain on a winding road.

Visitor can walk up 300 steps to the Naga stairs to the temple.

Tropical Waterlily

2010-09-06T21:55:00.000-07:00

Taxonomy of Ornamental Nymphaea ประดับ , Nelumbo และ Victoria in Thailand
Ornamental Nymphaea, Nelumbo and Victoria
1. Family : Nelumbonaceae
    Genus : Nelumbo

2. Family   :    Nymphaeaceae
2.1 Genus :   Nymphaea
      2.1.1 Hardy Waterlily
      2.1.2 Tropical Waterlily

2.2 Genus :    Victoria
      2.2.1    Victoria Cruziana
      2.2.2    Victoria amazonica

Photo Album

2.1.2 Tropical Waterlily

บัวฝรั่ง 'คอมมาเช่' 'จำปาห้าสี'

Comanche

บัวผัน 'ไมอามี่โรส'

Miami Rose

บัวผัน 'ไดเร็กเตอร์ จีทีมัวร์'

Director G.T.Moore

(Director George T.Moore)

บัวผัน 'ชูลาภ'

Choolarp

บัวผัน 'ศรีสมบูรณ'

Sri-Somboon

บัวผัน 'ฉลองขวัญ', 'คิงก์ออฟสยาม'

Chalong Kwan

บัวผัน 'ไจแกนเตีย' อัลเบิร์ต เดอลาสแตง

Gigantea Albert de Lestang

credit : erawan museum