The Queen’s Birthday
Her Majesty Queen Sirikit was born on Friday, August 12, 1932, as the eldest daughter of His Highness Prince Chandaburi Suranath and Mom Luang Bua Kitiyakara. Her Majesty was born with the royal title of Mom Rajawongse and her name “Sirikit”, which means “Glory to the Kitiyakara Family”, was given by His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII).
Mom Rajawongse Sirikit began her studies at Rajini School or the Queen’s School and during World War II she transferred t St.Francis Xavier Convent School in Bangkok. At the end of the Second World War, her father was appointed the Thai Minister to France and Denmark and full Ambassador to the United Kingdom. She thus accompanied him and continued her education in Europe here she met His Majesty King Bhumibol.
Their Majesties became engaged on July 19, 1949 and in March of the following year, His Majesty, accompanied by the Royal Family and Mom Rajawongse Sirikit and her family, returned to Thailand for the Cremation Ceremony of His Majesty King Ananda Mahidol. (Rama VII). The Royal wedding took place at 9.30 a.m. on Friday, April 28, 1950 at Sra Pathum Palace. On May 5 of the same year there followed the Coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibol.
Their Majesties have four children, namely;
1. H.R.H. Princess Ubol Ratana, born on the 5th of April 1951, in Lausanne, Switzerland.
2. H.R.H. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, born on the 28th of July 1952 in Bangkok.
3. H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, born on the 2nd of April 1955 in Bangkok.
4. H.R.H. Princess Chulabhorn, born on the 4th of July 1957 in Bangkok.
In 1956, when His Majesty King Bhumibol entered the monkhood for two weeks, Her Majesty was appointed as his Regent. During that period, Her Majesty performed her duties so successfully that, on the recommendation of the government, Her Majesty was given a royal title of higher distinction: “Somdejphra Borom Rajininath”
Apart from being a royal wife and mother, Her Majesty the Queen also dedicates her tireless efforts for the betterment of the Thai people and the entire nation. The Queen spends much time enefitin to rural areas to find sources of supplementary income in the off-season or in the areas affected by drought or floods. In order to help poor people in rural areas make both ends meet, The Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related techniques (SUPPORT) was established on July 21, 1976 under Her Majesty’s patronage. The foundation has achieved remarkable success, today thousands of rural folks and their families are enefiting from Her Majesty’s countless efforts and initiatives.
As a tribute to Her Majesty’s boundless contributions for the happiness of the entire population and the prosperity of the nation as a whole, August 12 is now a public holiday. We join all loyal and devoted subjects of the kingdom in wishing Her Majesty the Queen a long life of good health and happiness.
วันพุธที่ 6 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2555
วันอังคารที่ 5 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2555
Magha Puja Day
Magha Puja Day
Magha Puja Day is one of the most important Buddhist celebrations which falls on the full moon day of the third lunar month (about the last week of February or early March)
This day marks the great four events that took place during Lord Buddha’s lifetime, namely ;
1. 1250 Buddhist monks from different place came to pay homage to Lord Buddha at Veluwan Vihara in Rajgaha, the capital of Magaha State, each on his own initiative and without prior notification or appointment.
2. All of them were the enlightened monks (or Arahantas)
3. All of them had been individually ordained by Lord Buddha himself (Ehi Bhikkhu), and
4. They assembled on the full moon day of the third lunar month.
On the evening of that day, Lord Buddha gave the assembly a discourse “Ovadha Patimokha” laying down the principles of His Teachings summarised into three acts, i.e. to do good, to abstain from bad action and to purify the mind.
It was unclear as to when the Magha Puja Ceremony took place. However, in a guide book of ceremonies for the twelve months written by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), it is said that, “….In the past, the Magha Puja was never performed, the ceremony has just been practised during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV)…” Having realized the significance of this day, King Rama IV ordered the royal Magha Puja Ceremony to be performed in the Emerald Buddha Temple in 1851 and to be continued forever. Later the ceremony was widely accepted and performed throughout the kingdom. The day is declared as a public holiday so that people from all walks of life can go to the temple to make merit and perform other religious activities in the morning and to take part in the candlelit procession or “Wien Tien” in Thai in the evening.
At the same time, at this auspicious time, His Majesty the King will preside over the religious rites to mark the occasion at the Emerald Buddha Temple and will later lead hundreds of people in a candlelit procession held within the temple’s compound.
In fact, the candlelit procession can be held at any time suitable to the public’s convenience, either in the morning or in the evening. However, in Bangkok it will usually take place in the evening at about 8.00 pm and the procession will be led by Buddhist monks.
In general, most Buddhists are not aware of the significance of this day. As a result, a number of people taking part in the ceremony may be less than on other days such as Visakha Puja or Asanha Puja Days. Even so Magha Puja Day carries an equal meaning to all Buddhists.
Magha Puja Day is one of the most important Buddhist celebrations which falls on the full moon day of the third lunar month (about the last week of February or early March)
This day marks the great four events that took place during Lord Buddha’s lifetime, namely ;
1. 1250 Buddhist monks from different place came to pay homage to Lord Buddha at Veluwan Vihara in Rajgaha, the capital of Magaha State, each on his own initiative and without prior notification or appointment.
2. All of them were the enlightened monks (or Arahantas)
3. All of them had been individually ordained by Lord Buddha himself (Ehi Bhikkhu), and
4. They assembled on the full moon day of the third lunar month.
On the evening of that day, Lord Buddha gave the assembly a discourse “Ovadha Patimokha” laying down the principles of His Teachings summarised into three acts, i.e. to do good, to abstain from bad action and to purify the mind.
It was unclear as to when the Magha Puja Ceremony took place. However, in a guide book of ceremonies for the twelve months written by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), it is said that, “….In the past, the Magha Puja was never performed, the ceremony has just been practised during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV)…” Having realized the significance of this day, King Rama IV ordered the royal Magha Puja Ceremony to be performed in the Emerald Buddha Temple in 1851 and to be continued forever. Later the ceremony was widely accepted and performed throughout the kingdom. The day is declared as a public holiday so that people from all walks of life can go to the temple to make merit and perform other religious activities in the morning and to take part in the candlelit procession or “Wien Tien” in Thai in the evening.
At the same time, at this auspicious time, His Majesty the King will preside over the religious rites to mark the occasion at the Emerald Buddha Temple and will later lead hundreds of people in a candlelit procession held within the temple’s compound.
In fact, the candlelit procession can be held at any time suitable to the public’s convenience, either in the morning or in the evening. However, in Bangkok it will usually take place in the evening at about 8.00 pm and the procession will be led by Buddhist monks.
In general, most Buddhists are not aware of the significance of this day. As a result, a number of people taking part in the ceremony may be less than on other days such as Visakha Puja or Asanha Puja Days. Even so Magha Puja Day carries an equal meaning to all Buddhists.
The Poy Sang Long Festival
The Poy Sang Long Festival
The Poy Sang Long is a three-day celebration of Buddhist novice ordination which usually takes place in late March or early April of every year in the Thailand’s most north-western province of Mae Hong Sorn.
The festival is the custom and tradition of the Shans or Tai Yai an ethnic Thai tribe who migrated from northern Burma and then inhabited most of Mae Hong Sorn. The Tai Yais have a strong devotion to Buddhism, and to follow their age-old tradition the young boys between the age of 7 and 14 will be ordained as novices for a period to learn the Buddhist doctrinces and to gain merit for their parents. It is believed that the tradition is probably to follow in the footsteps of Prince Rahula, the first Buddhist novice who was the Buddha’s own son. The young prince gave up his worldly life to follow his father’s spiritual teachings.
The festival is rich in colour and display making it a most exciting event that draws residents of the entire province to take part. Prior to the arrival of the three-day festival, the boys have their heads shaved and are then bathed and anointed with special waters. They are dressed up in jewelled finery and their faces are expertly made up. These boys are known as the “Jewel Princes” or “Look Kaew” in Thai.
In the early morning of the first day, the celebration begins with a procession around the town. Accompanying the procession are flutes, lutes, fiddles, drums and cymbals. In the procession, each boy is accompanied by three attendants ; one to carry him, another to shelter him from the sun with a tall gold umbrella, and the third to guard the precious jewels. The Boys are led to visit relatives and friends and then join the communion lunch. After the feast, relatives and the elders tie white threads around the wrists of the boys to protect them from evil spirits. Thus ends the first day of the event.
On the second day, the same procession again takes place. This time, the procession includes offerings for the Buddha, other necessities for monks and a horse symbolising the vehicle of the spirit of the city pillar. In the evening, after having dinner, there is the rite of calling “spirit” or “Kwan” in Thai and a verbal recitation to prepare the boys for the actual ordination in the following day.
The last day begins with the procession of the boys to the temple for ordination. At the temple, the boys ask permission to be ordained from the senior monks. Once accepted, the boys then take vows, change the princely attires to yellow robes and become full novices. The greatest event then ends here.
The Poy Sang Long Festival attracts a large number of Thai tourists and has now become popular among foreign tourists as well.
The Poy Sang Long is a three-day celebration of Buddhist novice ordination which usually takes place in late March or early April of every year in the Thailand’s most north-western province of Mae Hong Sorn.
The festival is the custom and tradition of the Shans or Tai Yai an ethnic Thai tribe who migrated from northern Burma and then inhabited most of Mae Hong Sorn. The Tai Yais have a strong devotion to Buddhism, and to follow their age-old tradition the young boys between the age of 7 and 14 will be ordained as novices for a period to learn the Buddhist doctrinces and to gain merit for their parents. It is believed that the tradition is probably to follow in the footsteps of Prince Rahula, the first Buddhist novice who was the Buddha’s own son. The young prince gave up his worldly life to follow his father’s spiritual teachings.
The festival is rich in colour and display making it a most exciting event that draws residents of the entire province to take part. Prior to the arrival of the three-day festival, the boys have their heads shaved and are then bathed and anointed with special waters. They are dressed up in jewelled finery and their faces are expertly made up. These boys are known as the “Jewel Princes” or “Look Kaew” in Thai.
In the early morning of the first day, the celebration begins with a procession around the town. Accompanying the procession are flutes, lutes, fiddles, drums and cymbals. In the procession, each boy is accompanied by three attendants ; one to carry him, another to shelter him from the sun with a tall gold umbrella, and the third to guard the precious jewels. The Boys are led to visit relatives and friends and then join the communion lunch. After the feast, relatives and the elders tie white threads around the wrists of the boys to protect them from evil spirits. Thus ends the first day of the event.
On the second day, the same procession again takes place. This time, the procession includes offerings for the Buddha, other necessities for monks and a horse symbolising the vehicle of the spirit of the city pillar. In the evening, after having dinner, there is the rite of calling “spirit” or “Kwan” in Thai and a verbal recitation to prepare the boys for the actual ordination in the following day.
The last day begins with the procession of the boys to the temple for ordination. At the temple, the boys ask permission to be ordained from the senior monks. Once accepted, the boys then take vows, change the princely attires to yellow robes and become full novices. The greatest event then ends here.
The Poy Sang Long Festival attracts a large number of Thai tourists and has now become popular among foreign tourists as well.
Loy kratong Festival
Loy Krathong Festival
One of the most popular festivals in early November is the Loy Krathong Festival. It takes place at a time when the weather is fine as the rainy season is over and there is a high water level all over the country.
“Loy” means “to float” and a “Krathong” is a lotus-shaped vessel made of banana leaves. The Krathong usually contains a candle, three joss-sticks, some flowers and coins.
In fact, the festival is of Brahmin origin in which people offer thanks to the Goddess of the water. Thus, by moonlight, people light the candles and joss-sticks, make a wish and launch their Krathongs on canals, rivers or even small ponds. It is believed that the Krathongs carry away sins and bad luck, and the wishes that have been made for the new year due to start. Indeed, it is the time to be joyful and happy as the sufferings are floated away.
The festival starts in the evening when there is a full moon in the sky. People of all walks of life carry their Krathongs to the nearby rivers. After lighting candles and joss-sticks and making a wish, they gently place the Krathongs on the water and let them drift away till they go out of sight.
A Beauty Queen Contest is an important part of the festival and for this occasion it is called “The Noppamas Queen Contest”. Noppamas is a legendary figure from the Sukhothai period. Old documents refer to her as the chief royal consort of a Sukhothai King named “Lithai”. Noppamas was said to have made the first decorated Krathong to float in the river on the occasion.
In Bangkok, major establishments such as leading hotels and amusement parks organise their Loy Krathong Festival and the Krathong contest as major annual function.
For visitors to Thailand, the Loy Krathong Festival is an occasion not to be missed. The festival is listed in the tourist calendar. Everyone is invited to take part and share the joy and happiness.
One of the most popular festivals in early November is the Loy Krathong Festival. It takes place at a time when the weather is fine as the rainy season is over and there is a high water level all over the country.
“Loy” means “to float” and a “Krathong” is a lotus-shaped vessel made of banana leaves. The Krathong usually contains a candle, three joss-sticks, some flowers and coins.
In fact, the festival is of Brahmin origin in which people offer thanks to the Goddess of the water. Thus, by moonlight, people light the candles and joss-sticks, make a wish and launch their Krathongs on canals, rivers or even small ponds. It is believed that the Krathongs carry away sins and bad luck, and the wishes that have been made for the new year due to start. Indeed, it is the time to be joyful and happy as the sufferings are floated away.
The festival starts in the evening when there is a full moon in the sky. People of all walks of life carry their Krathongs to the nearby rivers. After lighting candles and joss-sticks and making a wish, they gently place the Krathongs on the water and let them drift away till they go out of sight.
A Beauty Queen Contest is an important part of the festival and for this occasion it is called “The Noppamas Queen Contest”. Noppamas is a legendary figure from the Sukhothai period. Old documents refer to her as the chief royal consort of a Sukhothai King named “Lithai”. Noppamas was said to have made the first decorated Krathong to float in the river on the occasion.
In Bangkok, major establishments such as leading hotels and amusement parks organise their Loy Krathong Festival and the Krathong contest as major annual function.
For visitors to Thailand, the Loy Krathong Festival is an occasion not to be missed. The festival is listed in the tourist calendar. Everyone is invited to take part and share the joy and happiness.
Thailand
New Year’s Day
Thailand is well-known for her festivals which take place all the year round. Most of these festivals are influenced by Buddhist and Brahminical religions, however, with the passage of time a number of them have been adopted in deference to the international practice.
Actually, the official New Year’s Day of Thailand has undergone several changes. Once it used to fall at the end of November. Later, during the reign of King Rama V(1868-1910) it was moved to a date round about April and then New Year’s Day was changed to April the first. The universal practice of celebrating the new year on January 1 was adopted in 1941 in deference to the western calendar and this is one of a number of changes aimed at modernising the country.
Though January 1 is regarded as official New Year, the majority of Thais still regard the middle of April (Songkran) as their new year’s day, and on this auspicious occasion a week-long celebration is held throughout the kingdom. Most of activities on Songkran Day involve water throwing, building sand pagodas and pouring lustral water on the aged as a means of blessing. To be frank, a celebration on January 1 is not so popular as that of Songkran. Normally, before the upcoming January 1, people will exchange greeting cards and gifts. Since on this auspicious occasion, a few grand celebrations are held in the kingdom, people take this opportunity to travel upcountry to visit their relatives or spend holidays at a tourist attraction site, while those stay at home will prepare food and other necessary items to make merit on the early morning of January 1 and then take part in various charitable activities held in various places.
At the same time, several companies take this opportunity to give a bonus and announce promotions to their employees who later cash money to buy gifts for relatives and friends before heading to their hometown for a long vacation.
Obviously, in Thailand people celebrate New Year three times a year, namely ; the Thai traditional New Year or Songkran, January 1 and the Chinese New Year. Out of these, Songkran is the most joyous occasion which draw people from all walks of life to take part in a week-long celebration. Meanwhile, the Chinese New Year is important especially for Thai organisations will close their business for several days so that the employers and their employees will be able to celebrate the auspicious occasion with their relatives at home or spend a long holiday in a place they like.
Thailand is well-known for her festivals which take place all the year round. Most of these festivals are influenced by Buddhist and Brahminical religions, however, with the passage of time a number of them have been adopted in deference to the international practice.
Actually, the official New Year’s Day of Thailand has undergone several changes. Once it used to fall at the end of November. Later, during the reign of King Rama V(1868-1910) it was moved to a date round about April and then New Year’s Day was changed to April the first. The universal practice of celebrating the new year on January 1 was adopted in 1941 in deference to the western calendar and this is one of a number of changes aimed at modernising the country.
Though January 1 is regarded as official New Year, the majority of Thais still regard the middle of April (Songkran) as their new year’s day, and on this auspicious occasion a week-long celebration is held throughout the kingdom. Most of activities on Songkran Day involve water throwing, building sand pagodas and pouring lustral water on the aged as a means of blessing. To be frank, a celebration on January 1 is not so popular as that of Songkran. Normally, before the upcoming January 1, people will exchange greeting cards and gifts. Since on this auspicious occasion, a few grand celebrations are held in the kingdom, people take this opportunity to travel upcountry to visit their relatives or spend holidays at a tourist attraction site, while those stay at home will prepare food and other necessary items to make merit on the early morning of January 1 and then take part in various charitable activities held in various places.
At the same time, several companies take this opportunity to give a bonus and announce promotions to their employees who later cash money to buy gifts for relatives and friends before heading to their hometown for a long vacation.
Obviously, in Thailand people celebrate New Year three times a year, namely ; the Thai traditional New Year or Songkran, January 1 and the Chinese New Year. Out of these, Songkran is the most joyous occasion which draw people from all walks of life to take part in a week-long celebration. Meanwhile, the Chinese New Year is important especially for Thai organisations will close their business for several days so that the employers and their employees will be able to celebrate the auspicious occasion with their relatives at home or spend a long holiday in a place they like.
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