Thai's New Year Song Kran Festival 5 (15 Apr)
by suraphona
APRIL 15 - WAN PHYA WAN
April 15 marks the Thai New Year.
This is the most important day of the Songkran New Year celebrations. It is a day traditionally spent making merit and performing charitable acts such as presenting offerings to the monks and listening to sermons, sprinkling holy water on Buddha images and monks, propping up the sacred Bo tree in the temple grounds, and calling on elders to receive their blessings.
A bathing ritual is observed in which lustral water is poured over respected elders in a gesture of respect and reverence. The seeking of their blessing or forgiveness for past wrong-doing is also implied. Additionally it is believed that through these acts of merit-making, loved ones, long-departed are endowed with blessings and good fortune. Last but not least comes the water-splashing ceremony and other festivities which is the most fun-filled part of the celebrations.
The religious ceremonies and folk rituals associated with Songkran are principally performed to bring good luck and prosperity. The rituals are also acts of gratitude and indebtedness undertaken in the memory of those who have passed on to another world.
The Songkran activities that take place in various locations around the kingdom are culturally unique and reflect local beliefs and practices.
hill tribes crafts
by call_me_rhia about night bazaar
Once again the shop is the night bazaar market. Among the hundred of stalls there are some run by hill-tribe people who dell their traditional crafts. Some of them, like the Akha or the Lisu have wonderful colourful items on sale. One fun detail I noticed: some products look very south-american-like... purses, handbags, scarves after you bargain - about 4 dollarsfor a purse.
Food with a View
by SayItAsItIs about Phu Jaya Restaurant
Ambience: Excellent ambience as the restaurant is built on a slope and has tables and small huts located on the left side as you walk up the steps to the reception area.
Price: Reasoably priced and we had a hearty meal for THB1200 (approx. USD40) for 5 people. Here are some good ones:
Steam sea bass fish with soy sauce and ginger - great texture and the gravy was good
Green curry - the texture of the brinjals which soaked up the curry is a must try
Fried mushrooms - the fried mushroom balls served with Thai Chilli Sauce makes for a good starter
American Breakfast
by vigi
The guesthouse I stayed in Chiang Mai and Chiang Khong serve only American / Western Breakfast, unless you specially request local / Asian breakfast, then they will show you the lunch & dinner menu. These backpackers seems very happy with it, while I don't really understand why they travel so far to eat the food which they cook better back home.
Bamboo Rafting
by foxglove23
After our elephant ride we took a bamboo ride down the river. Most rafts had 3 or 4 people to them plus a man who steered and pushed the raft using a long bamboo stick. He gave each of us a try (there were some sharp turns and near crashes into the rocks, I can tell you that much!). And just when you think you're safe from salesmen...they're wading out into the water trying to sell you stuff! A man with a cooler of pop and beer waded around us and women and children came later with little trinkets. The raft flowed down the river at a very relaxed pace, and if you can ignore the children pleading with you to buy their bracelets it's a nice ride.
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Tard Mork Falls
Thai House
local or factory made purse?
Staff
