chdarat

Sorry Tina but this is such an apt title for this blog!
The word love has been used so much and mostly for commercial gains so what really is love. Too many songs has that word repeated and so diluting the meaning so love becomes how Hallmark defines it! But in reality is it love they sing about [...]

I was talking about the concept of beauty in my earlier post and the subject seems to be in the air! I read in yesterday Daily Express that there will be an exhibition this coming Thursday at Central World called Unretouched Beauty. A photographic display of unretouched well known celebrities in this land of the Big Mango [...]

Now if you think that this blog is  about the hedonistic lifestyle of people who hate the idea of committing to one partner at a time then I have to apologise.  I had a different kind of swinger in mind.
At least I got your attention for however brief the moment!
What I'm referring to is the Hindu Vedic ritual of swinging and it does involve one gigantic swing or in Thai,  Ching Cha (ชิงช้า).
Yes, in Bangkok, we have one of the world largest swing and might be oldest at that, right here in the old town district.  See for yourself.

This swing measured 20 metre high and 10.5 metre wide. It was built in 1784 (พ.ศ. 2327) and it's as old as Bangkok!
Every year in  December when Shiva descended  from the heaven to visit us, this ritual was performed. It was stopped in 1935, due to high fatality rate!  The ritual re-enacted a scene between Shiva and wife, Parvati (formerly Sati in the previous incarnation!). Gosh Hindu Gods do lead such interesting lives! If you want to find out more then  read up here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Swing.
Two years ago this swing was restored back to its formal glory and again this weekend, the ritual will be re performed. Here is a clip of how, apology as it is narrated in Thai.

For those who have already spotted that this year ceremony isn't in December, thank you for paying attention zzz.... You're right!
This year, the ritual is slightly different and it's a two in one, post modern take  on the old ritual! It's re invoked to bless young teak saplings, all 75 of them so that they can be given away to the each of Thailand province governors  as part of the organised ritual for the King's birthday.
So if you have a weekend free, it's worth going to relive Bangkok history. Good photo opportunity too. Might bump into you there then! Let's hope the rain is taking a short break this weekend!

Over the weekend, I was stirred by a new reality show called “Big Trouble in Thailand”. The name obviously explains the content of the show: farangs have troubles in Thailand.

I guess it is something to talk about among farangs as well. http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31425http://www.tfs2m.com/main/2009/09/11/from-the-producerdirector-of-big-trouble-in-thailand/
Let’s watch the reality that really bites!



For me, it’s painful to have to accept that this kind of situation can happen to tourists when they visit Thailand. But then again, scams can take place in any latitude or longtitude on this planet. Therefore, your fair judgement is highly needed!

Interesting headline caught my attention while I was sitting in a waiting room, Suthichai to interview the PM via Twiiter, wow! Wow must be the predicted  reaction but what's up with Mr NationMultimedia. Has technology gone right up his stratosphere! All well and good interviewing Mr Abhisit. You  own a multimedia empire, have access to newspaper, TV and WWW so why limit yourself to asking 140 characters question? Perhaps this is a new form of Twitter Zen in Thai politics.

I'll leave you all with this to reflect on the use of modern technology and the 20 the century humanity.

Will you all be following the Tweets tonight?

Right!  All you Monty Python fans out there, sorry to disappoint you, this isn't really about their greatness, well perhaps remotely! But nice to bring them up as it's what they stood for that I'm pining for here and this gives me an opportunity ...

So for all of you that don't know Monty Python,  please educate your sense of humour, quickly! Watch this!


Have you ever felt in need of something different? A different point of view or should that be view point?  

Life can feel  quite stale at times. So it's good to move your standpoint and see the same old thing from a different angle, don't you think?

I'm not talking about having a debate and gain perspective by opposing. I'm talking about breaking away completely from what you know.  Standing on new ground, gaining new perspective, fresher way to approach life!

I occasionally  have the urge to be in a completely alien ground where there are no reference point. A place where I cannot apply all my learnt knowledge so no reference point, no labels, no opinions.

I'm not having a wanderlust here. No need to travel away and immersed myself in alien culture. I'm talking about being  here and look at this old Thailand with new eyes, a fresh perspective.

Life isn't just about one shopping mall to the next or one blockbuster movie after another or even one top nosh restaurant to the next, is it?

Life doesn't necessarily mean following trends or keep up with the Joneses (but since we are here, it'll be keeping up with the hi so's!).

It's not about being in the know but of really seeing and accepting with no judgements - no reference point. We need to free ourselves from what we think we know and align ourselves with what we don't know, the unknown!

How? I do this by stepping away from the mainstream culture and going on a quest for an alternative one.  There are a hidden world out there, waiting to be explored. There are exhibitions of really exciting contemporary arts, theatres, alternative comedy

I heard on the news this morning and I couldn't believe my ears! Monkeying around too much, gave more than a hundred of the infamous  Lopburi macaque monkeys hernia. So the town councils have been saying that people should help by stopping them monkeying around!

How do you stop them?

Have you seen these monkeys? If not watch this!

Now how do we stop them being themselves?
If you are concerned then you can help by donating money to support the volunteer  vets to operate on the poor animals. Here is how.

 call (081) 570 662 to make donations.

I found this new branch of Thai martial art Hutanra in youtube. It’s far different from well-known Muay Thai. As I watch from the footage, a master of Hutanra can attack people with just his fingertip or even without touching his rivals at all. It seems like some kind of indescriable inner strength is used here!



Here is the translation of subtitle in the video:
Around 15,000 years before Buddha era, according to Bhinga legend of Tanyashi, once there was a monk named Bhra Buddha Bhothiyasuwanthara or Sawan who taught Thanyashi the martial art. So he could protect himself and created a secret force called ‘Tanyashi Force’ to protect religion.

Now, society is decadent and in chaos. Therefore, we would like to teach some part of Tanyashi Force’s martial art to outsiders, under the sign of Mara with Eight Wheels
 

Do you believe it?

Me: The video is entertaining to watch, just like cartoon! I think the Hutanra master was inspired by X-men and Japanese comic combined to create his martial art. I wish he duels with one of Muay Thai boxers. I just want to see who’s going to be knocked the wind out first.

During six years of my junior to senior high, one of my favorite extra curriculum is outside reading. Every year, fictions from Thai authors were selected as a reading assignment for students.

 I proudly present my no.1 outside reading novels Puuyai Lee Kab Nang Ma.

Spoiler!

The story tells a life of Malinee or Ma, a model who lived in Bangkok. One day she inherited a land in upcountry from her grandmother. At first, she wanted to sell the land because she didn’t want to move there and still loved her comfortable life in Bangkok. But when her boyfriend walked out on her, she changed her mind to move out from Bangkok and lived in the heritaged land.

But life in the suburb wasn’t as convenient as life in Bangkok. Malinee had to learn to live on her own. To take care of her own land and agriculture jobs were Malinee’s biggest burden. However, she’d learned a valuable lesson and changed her attitude when she met Leenawat or Puuyai Lee who taught her the easy sufficient rural life.

Puuyai Lee Kab Nang Ma was written by Karnchana Nakanant in 1963. The novel is considered old but its content is still contemporary. That’s why it has been adapted many times, on both silver screen and television. The latest version to which I’m addicted is now aired on Channel 3 every Friday to Sunday night. Although the script and a lot of details in the soap are changed to fit with current society, the essence of the novel is still there: “self-sufficient way of life” And this is the vital part that make the series Puuyai Lee Kab Nang Ma outstanding from other nonsense soaps.

The sufficient way of life doesn’t mean we have to flee from Bangkok and being a farmer like Malinee. Living life sufficiently can vary, depending on your discretion.

I already have my own self-sufficient way of life, inspired by Puuyai Lee Kab Nang Ma. What about yours?

Now I leave you to a series I love at the moment. It's based from the novel Puuyai Lee Kab Nang Ma. This TV series is some

When you think of Thailand, amazing Thailand what did you have in mind?

Sun, sand, sea, beaches, full moon parties, the girls and boys (not to leave out the ladyboys as well), the food, the monasteries, golden Buddha statues, the smiles, elephants, baby panda, ...
But this isn't going to be about the expected.
 Watch this trilogy of short film, for a different view of modern Thailand.




What do you think? Full of the unexpected and a good reflection on modern Thai life? If you don't agree then tell me what your views.

July for most Buddhists, marks the start of the Rain Retreat or Buddhist Lent which lasts for about 3 months.  It's a time to look inwards and putting the Buddha's teachings into practice so the theory goes any way! 

Young men can ask for three months off work,  take temporary ordination, i.e. have their heads shaven and don saffron robes. During this period, the streets after dawn are filled with shiny and new saffron robes walking with their alms bowls. Quite a heartwarming sight for most Thais.

However,   it's quite difficult to tell fake monks from the real ones nowadays. Yes, you heard right, fake monks. This is quite a scam and many alcoholic and drug users choose this route to feed their habits. All they need to do is shave their hair and put on the robe! Then they can go begging. Faithful Thais will generously give to monks, especially young and needy monks. 

This is the reality of modern Thailand! If there is an easy way to make quick money and get away with it then be sure that someone will take that route. 

Needless to say, this harms the image and credibility of real monks! But they are fighting back. They took the matter into their own hands and formed a monk police force! Yes, there's a monk squad. Watch them in action  and tell me how you feel.


Me, I find this strange verging on bizarre and very funny. At first I thought yes something is done about this but it just doesn't feel quite right for the monks to take the law, pun pun, into their own hands! 

Still commando style monks police is something Hollywood might be interested in for their  next blockbuster huh!

Have you experienced Thai Hip-Hop? Today I show you one of my favourites Goodnight or Ratreesawas in Thai. Its lyrics are so overwhelming that they make me cry. Besides, a current situation in Thailand is explained here so well.

If you want to hear the tune, visit here http://truemusic.truelife.com/home/p/song.php?songguid=20090716112523135797                                                                    

For those who aren’t familiar with Thai language, I provide a translation of song lyrics below. Hope you enjoy the music:)

 

เพลง ราตรีสวัสดิ์ (Good Night) /Song title: Good Night
ศิลปิน ฟักกลิ้งฮีโร่ Feat. ธีร์ ไชยเดช /Artist: Fakkling Hero Featuring Tee Chaidej

 

วันนี้ฉันมีนิทาน อยากเล่าให้เธอฟัง/Today I’ve got a tale to tell you.
นิทานเรื่อง ท ทหาร อดทน/The tale is about souldiers with endurance.
เวลาเค้ายืนเค้าแนบปืนกลไว้ข้างกาย/When he stands, he has a machine gun by his side.
ทั้งที่เค้าไม่เคยใจร้ายและไม่เคยคิดฆ่าคน/Eventhough, he’s not cruel and never kills people.
แต่เป็นอีกคืนที่เค้าต้องออกลาดตระเวน/It’s another night for him to patrol
เป็นหน้าที่ของกองพันทหารราบผู้รักตัวเอง/Battalion infantrymen duty who love themselves
น้อยกว่าชนในชาติไทย/less than people of Thailand.
เพราะรู้ว่าเลือดเนื้อเค้าจะสละไม่ให้เราเป็นทาสใคร/Because they know they can sac

Let's pay tribute to Michael Jackson and his unforgetable moonwalk at www.eternalmoonwalk.com Moonwalk here isn't limited to only your foot steps. As far as I see, dogs, dolls, or even fingers can be used to do the moonwalk! I think I'm gonna push my big-belly hubby to moonwalk with me. Enjoy and see you at the eternalmoonwalk.com.

Today, July 8th, is Buddhist Lent Day or Vassa. Being quite a good Buddhist as I am, I think I have to talk about it a little bit.
Vassa, also called Rains Retreat, is the traditional retreat during the rainy season lasting for three lunar months from July to October. During this time Buddhist monks remain in a single place, generally in their temples. In some monasteries, monks dedicate the Vassa to intensive meditation. During Vassa, many Buddhist lay people reinvigorate their spiritual training and adopt more ascetic practices, such as giving up meat, alcohol, or smoking… (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vassa)
Being not the good Buddhist as I previously claimed, let’s talk Buddhism in an entertaining way. How about a movie? This movie was released in 1993 and directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. It’s called Little Buddha. The film intertwined two precious stories together: a pursuit of reincarnation of Lama and the story of Lord Buddha himself. The flick is my precious memory as well.

Why I consider it as one of my good memories ?

The answer is so simple. The first time I watched Little Buddha was like an outing to me. We an elementary students could go out of school in the restricted time and paraded on buses to a theater. It was a fresh and fun activity for children. And both quality doubles when I’d shared this experience with the whole class of my friends. I’m still impressed with the movie and even have the DVD at home. But that wasn’t the point. The most important message conveyed in the movie is the great teaching of Lord Buddha. Unfortunately, I realize about this value when I grew much older. That’s fine. At least, the movie sooner or later makes me realize about something.

So I leave you now on the beautiful movie.



Thanks for video from www.youtube.com

H1N1 flu outbreak is gradually becoming critical and a threat in our lives, especially when our country has the highest death rate caused by this pandemic in Asia. It becomes my big concern sometimes and I guess yours too. But paranoia is not good for our heath as well. Let’s relax and handle this fully conscious. Watch this funny yet informative video to ease up the situation a bit.

 

Thanks for video from www.youtube.com

Above video is a Thai animation called Sudsakorn, a spin-off from epic poem Phra Apai Manee composed by one of greatest Thai poets Sunthorn Phu. Just to remind us that today’s is Sunthorn Phu’s day.