The Illuminated Night of Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong is conceived as a renowned festival in Thailand. The word "Loy" means to float and "Krathong" is a banana leaf cup made of natural materials such as a banana trunk, banana leaves and lotus petals. It is laden with a candle, incense sticks, flowers and coins to ensure an auspicious life. People will flock to the river and then make a wish before drifting their Krathong onto the river. The floating of Krathong is intended to banish all sufferings and ask for apologies to the Goddess of the River in contaminating her waters. Some believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha's footprint on the bank of the Narmada River whilst others say that it is to pay respect to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha's great disciples.

The illuminated night of Loy Krathong comes with various entertaining activities. Thai people of all ages and from all walks of life can marvel at plenty of delightful activities after gliding their Krathong away. There are folk entertainments, light and sound presentations, dance parades, local product fairs as well as many other genres of traditional and cultural performances. The highlight of the festival will be the most beautiful Krathong contest and beauty pageant set in memory of "Nang Noppamas", a legendary woman in the Sukhothai period. Significantly, the lighting of fireworks is always done in the same spirit as when lighting candles in an act of worship. Firework displays have become a quintessential element of this vibrant festival.

The exact origin of Loy Krathong is supposed to begin more than 700 years ago in Sukhothai, the ancient capital of Thailand, when farmers held a lantern floating festival shortly after sowing seeds in their drenched paddy fields. One talented woman named Nang Noppamas or Thao Si Chulalak who resided in the palace of King Phra Ruang marvelously created special lanterns for this festival. Unlike other conventional lanterns, they were made of banana leaves devised in the shape of lotus petals. The lanterns so astounded the king that he commanded once a year on the full moon night a grand ceremony should be celebrated through floating lotus shaped banana leaf cups. This practice has been thoroughly upheld up to the modern day.

This year Loy Krathong is as always commemorated nationwide during 31 October - 6 November in a different manner especially in Sukhothai, Ayudhya, Chiang Mai, Tak and Bangkok. The theme of Loy Krathong accentuates Colorful Water-Loy Krathong Great Festival. Sukhothai, the site of origin of the festival, celebrates Loy Krathong and Candle Festival. The most interesting aspect of the festival is a light and sound show and the "Dawn of Happiness" activity that will be organized in the age-old setting of the Sukhothai Historical Park. Some more fascinating activities comprise firework displays, cultural performances and a procession of offerings carried by pretty girls to pay homage to the statue of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great.

"Loy Krathong Festival by Bangkok Guide"

Also a well-known place to celebrate Loy Krathong is Chiang Mai. The festival is called "Yee Peng" when the largest Krathong is marched along the city on an ornately embellished truck. At night the colorfully lit Krathong form a luminous parade as they make their way to the river. People also rejoice the festival with thousands of candlelit "Khom Loy" or floating lanterns consisting of "Khom Fai" - a fire lantern - and "Khom Khwan" - a smoke lantern that are released into the night sky based on the belief they are to pay respect to the Buddha#@*s holy relics and Phra Chula Manee in the heaven. These balloon-like lanterns are as well said to send away calamities. Ideal venues to visit are the Tha Phae Gate and the banks of the Ping River.

Tak similarly celebrates the festival of "Loy Krathong Sai" that is reflected through a long line of Krathong made of coconut shells lit with candles as well as threaded together as a string of floating lights on the Ping River. When the lit Krathong are floated onto the right current typically one after another they would wander along and make a breathtaking and twinkling curving line or "Sai" in Thai amidst the darkness of the night. This represents the accord and oneness of local people when they assemble on the river banks where they sing and dance with utmost bliss. Tourists will also have a mesmerizing occasion to relish the atmosphere of Krathong Sai contest and water curtain presentation relating to "The Legend of Krathong Sai". In "the City of Angels", the banks of the glorious Chao Phraya River are the prime location to celebrate the festival. So as to revive an old custom of the ancient capital, Loy Krathong is arranged to preserve the royal ritual of the early Rattanakosin period in which several types of traditional Krathong were set afloat onto the Chao Phraya River and its waterways. Many riverside hotels and restaurants also hold special celebrations for their guests. For a more stunning night of Loy Krathong in Bangkok, meticulous tourists are earnestly invited to partake in this yearly festival and join the crowds along the Chao Phraya River, the Rattanakosin Island, the Santichaiprakarn Park, the Rama VIII Bridge, the Taksin Bridge and the Krungthon Bridge.

Thai people from all walks of life are gathering on the nearest river with their hands holding a fine-looking banana leaf cup. The rivers and waterways are illuminated with glittering lights whilst the historical remains and commercial buildings along the banks of the majestic Chao Phraya River are adorned with electric decorations. The joyful festivities like firework displays, traditional performances as well as light and sound presentations are just around the corner.

These are the common scenes awaiting you on the colorful night of Loy Krathong.

http://www.iguidebangkok.com

Avoid Traffic Jam on the Day of Your Flight by Staying in a Bangkok Airport Hotel

I have discovered some great ways in order to avoid getting stuck in the airport for more than a few hours while waiting for your flight. I understand how tiring, boring and irritating waiting at the airport for several hours feels like. I have experienced that a few times whenever I fly to other countries but my recent flight to Bangkok made all the difference. Sometimes when you travel, you get to learn many things and I owe this one to my recent trip to Bangkok. Sure, there are many things that you can do aside from just sitting and doing nothing but most importantly you have to get to the airport early so that you can avoid the heavy traffic by staying in one of the hotels nearby.

Bangkok is flooded with so many tourists that everyday, they just come in and out of the country so expect that the streets are always busy. So when you are waiting for an international or domestic flight, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has found some ways in order to entertain the passengers while waiting. The good thing about it is that when you take one of the special tours that they offer, they will no longer include the 700 Baht airport tax to your usual fee. In this way, they can encourage passengers to participate and promote tourism in their country.

The mini tours that they offer include Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha, the Golf tour in some of the best golf courses proximal to Suvarnabhumi airport such as Kiarti Thanee Country Club and Summit Windmill Golf Club, Massage and Spa, Siam Niramity, Siam Ocean World, and Klong Tour where you can get a boat ride to see the Venice of the East. If for instance you decided in choosing one of these tours, you approach the tour transit desk personnel and inquire about the offer. There will be a form which you have to fill out in order to be exempted from the airport tax. If you are done, an official will guide you with the tour you have selected and upon returning, you will also be assisted to your flight.

So there is no reason why you should bore yourself while you are waiting for your flight at the airport especially when you are in Bangkok.

Lam Bong is an Author living in Sydney, Australia. He is interested in reading and creating websites. His latest website is about bangkok vacation packages and finding the best phuket vacation packages on the web today.

Living and Teaching in Bangkok

Education in Thailand, Bangkok

International schools in Bangkok are for students aged 3 to 18 and are mainly found in the Bangkok area. The students are almost exclusively well motivated, honest, well behaved and success oriented. They are from families who are ambitious, who value education and who are keen on academic progress.

Many schools in Thailand employ assistants who are able to sort out display work, photocopying etc so that you can get on with the job of teaching.

The students study the English National Curriculum, the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and Advanced Supplementary (AS) and Advanced (A) level examination. Whilst others follow the American curriculum or I.B.

A typical school day will start at around 8.30 in the morning and finish at 2.30 in the afternoon for Primary age children. Nursery will normally finish at 2pm. A lunch break of an hour usually takes place from noon till 1pm is, during this time and also between 3 and 4pm club activities usually take place.

These activities are usually very diverse and play an important role in the International Schools. The school year is from the middle of August to the end of June with schools usually closing for two months. Most schools follow a traditional three term year.

Living in Bangkok

Located in South East Asia Bangkok is a friendly place to live and work so you can be guaranteed to be made very welcome and will make new friends easily. People in Bangkok are used to foreigners and will be only too pleased to practice their English on you.

Much has been said of the traffic in Bangkok, and whilst it can be rather hectic there are ways around this; choose the best time to travel when you can avoid the rush, use the bus and mass transit system (both of which are very good).

The standard of living for teachers is very good; your money will go a long way ensuring you will have enough to spend at weekends and during the holidays to travel around the region.

As for the cost of living in Bangkok well it will very much depend on the type of life style you want. Generally speaking it is possible to enjoy a superior quality of life to what such a salary would afford you back home.

It is worth noting that tourist places that attract Western tourists in particular tend to charge more for food and drink etc. For those of you who enjoy experimenting with different types of food, you are never far away from some kind of food outlet whether it be one of the superb Thai or international restaurants, or trying food the Thai way from one of the countless street stalls, there is something for everyone and all pockets.

Evening entertainment in Bangkok is wide and varied with something to suit everyone. For those of you who like plenty of excitement you can choose from nightclubs and music venues.

For those of you interested in sport why not join one of the numerous gyms or enjoy a bout of Thai boxing.

Bangkok is a tropical country with a very hot and humid climate. The hottest time is between March and May where the temperature can reach 40degC. The cool season is from December to February when the average temperature reaches 26degC. The rainy season lasts from May till November. During this time there are short but frequent down pours which cause localized flooding

Places of Interest

There is so much to see and do in Bangkok so these are just a few of the places of interest you will find here. Beautiful temples can be found all over Bangkok the high quality of decoration is to be admired. One of the most impressive is probably Wat Pho it houses the largest statue of Buddha it is also famous for teaching Thai massage. Worthy of a visit is Khan Sahn Road which was made famous in the film "The Beach".

It is the place to stay for backpackers but has become an attraction in itself. Here you will find affordable restaurants, bars, hotels, market stalls and shops. It is a place where East meets West and is a vibrant street whether you go by day or night.

The National Museum houses a superb collection of art and historical displays. The exhibits include a fascinating display of ancient musical instruments along with wood carvings and statues from throughout Thailand's history. Close by is The National Gallery. The building is divided into two separate areas, one of which houses traditional art and the contemporary section houses examples of cubism among others.

A visit to see the Royal Barges is a must. These are the barges that are used only for Royal river processions. These barges are impressive in size with some being 50m long. They are exquisitely and skillfully decorated, each barge sports a different mythical head. The shopping experience in Bangkok is a must for all tastes and pockets.

The range is impressive from shopping malls and department stores where you can buy all the latest fashions to the street markets with their eclectic gathering of stalls. The Chatuchak weekend market is one of the largest and most popular. History of Bangkok The early history of Thailand shows that the country was composed of many city-states which formed loosely organized principalities.

In order to unify these states Chulaloke was invited to become the first king, he became known as King Rama I. Ayutthaya was the then the capital of Thailand and it was under constant attack from the Burmese it was following one of these sackings when the city was completely devastated that Rama I moved the capital of Siam (Thailand) to the eastern side of the river to the former Chinese trading port of Bang Makok.

The city was given a royal title which is so long that it is referred to by its first two names "Kreng Thep" - City of Angels. The full name is acknowledged as the longest city name in the world but is known throughout the world as Bangkok. It was at that time that Rama I built the temple of Wat Phra Kaew and the GrandPalace as well as refurbished the temple of Wat Po. During the reign of Rama V Bangkok's infrastructure was strengthened with the addition of more roads a northerly rail line and a tram line was built.

The Second World War saw Bangkok side with the Japanese in order to maintain their grip on power, this cost the country dearly at the end of the war when the Allies demanded war reparations. The Vietnam War marked a major period of change. Money was invested in Thailand which was used to expand Bangkok into the metropolis we know today.

Kevin McLaren

http://www.tiesrecruit.com

International Teacher Recruitment

Why Consume Thai Mangosteen?

The mangosteen fruit was first identified in Burma, now Myanmar, and Siam, known as Thailand today. Actually, Thai mangosteen is an evergreen tropical tree that can grow quite tall. In Asia, it has been known for centuries, and was often called the "Queen of Fruits" because of its healing properties.

In order for one of these trees to grow, it must have excessively humid, warm weather. That is why you only see this tree growing close to the equator. Even though much of the growing conditions are identical in California and Florida, there has been little success in growing a Thai mangosteens in these places. Apparently this is due to the slight differences in climate. Neither has there been much success growing the trees in greenhouses either.

The fruit of the tree looks like small, round eggplants with a uniquely curvy cap at the top. Unlike most other types of fruit, it is usually the outer shell or rind of the fruit that is used. Although the whitish, sectioned inner flesh of the fruit is edible, most of the healing properties associated with the fruit are concentrated in the rind.

The fruit itself looks like it has a rather hard shell, but it is really easy to open. Care must be taken when opening them, though. The rind produces a dark purple juice that stains fabric and even skin badly; it can even be impossible to remove. Hotels in Southeast Asia commonly ban guests from having the fruit in their rooms for fear of damage.

Because the Thai mangosteen is so difficult to grow outside of Southeast Asia, the juice is generally expensive and often difficult to find. The juice is becoming more common these days, and can be found in health food stores and even mainstream grocery stores. Independent distributors are also selling the juice, delivered directly to your home.

Whether this is the super fruit that many true believers claim it is still needs to be proven. Preliminary research has shown it can help with certain conditions, but long term effects still need to be studied.

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