THAI MASSAGE

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xi2p7_free-thai-massage-lesson-legs

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xi2df_learn-thai-massage-for-back-and-fro

13th Annual Laguna Phuket Triathlon

The 2005 Thai Airways Laguna Phuket Triathlon
champions, Greg Bennett from Australia and young Canadian Samantha
McGlone have confirmed that they will return to Phuket on 3 December
2006 to defend their titles.



Both Bennett and McGlone, who were newcomers to Phuket last year,
thoroughly enjoyed their experience and warm Thai welcome, and are
looking forward to racing in Phuket again this year.

For the first time in the history of the event, registration was closed
prior to the 2005 race with a record number of triathletes from over 30
countries entered. The race office is anticipating another sell-out this
year after receiving a tremendous amount of positive feedback from athletes,
sponsors and spectators following the 2005 race.

Event Director, Paula Himel, attributes the overwhelming success to a number
of factors. "The popularity of triathlon in Southeast Asia and around the
world has taken off, and continues to do so. I believe this continued
growth, and the fact that we offer a unique and fun event in such a
spectacular setting, makes this a race that the pros and amateurs from all
over the world truly look forward to every year."

As in past years, the 2006 course will comprise a 1.8km swim, a 55km cycle
and a 12km run which for the first time will wind its way around the
award-winning Laguna Phuket golf course.

The Laguna Phuket Triathlon offers a US$20,000 Pro Prize Purse and 25
guaranteed entries into the 2007 Ironman Australia to the highest place
finishers in each age group.

Once again, a 6-km Fun Run will be held on race day, set to begin once the
triathletes have transitioned to the bike course.

Online registration will begin on 1 May and all five Laguna Phuket hotels
will offer discounted room rates.

In addition to offering a spectacular race course, Laguna Phuket also offers
a list of leisure activities suitable for travel companions including spa
treatments, golf, water sports, kid's clubs, local day trips and much more.
The Laguna Phuket Triathlon is a magnificent race and an experience of
beauty, tranquility and excitement.

One Destination, Five Experiences... Laguna Phuket is Asia's leading resort
destination comprising five deluxe hotels: Banyan Tree Phuket, Dusit Laguna
Resort, Laguna Beach Resort, Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket and Allamanda
Laguna Phuket, which all share 600 acres of tropical parkland and three
kilometres of beach frontage with the Laguna Phuket Golf Club, Canal
Shopping Village, Banyan Tree Spa, four Angsana Spas, Laguna Wedding Chapel
and Quest Laguna Phuket Adventure, a leading corporate training and outdoor
recreation facility.

For online registration or further information and updates, please visit

www.lagunaphukettriathlon.com

'Coup' sparks Thailand emergency

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has declared a state of emergency in Bangkok amid reports of a coup attempt. Soldiers have entered Government House and tanks have moved into position around the building. Mr Thaksin, who is at the UN in New York, said he had removed the chief of the army.

National television announced that forces had taken control of Bangkok "to maintain law and order", and that they were declaring loyalty to the king. However, the BBC's Kate McGeown in Bangkok says King Bhumibol is held in high esteem by all Thais, and the declaration of loyalty does not necessarily imply that he backs the takeover attempt. An army-owned TV station is showing images of the royal family and songs linked in the past with military coups. The announcement said the troops belonged to the "Council of Political Reform".

BBC World, CNN and other international news channels have been taken off the air, readers in Thailand told the BBC News website by email. Our correspondent says low-level rumours of a possible coup have been circulating for weeks. Thai media say that two army factions appear to be heading for a clash, with one side backing the prime minister and the other side backing military commander Lieutenant General Sonthi Boonyaratglin. The general was sacked by the prime minister earlier in the day.

Political impasse
Our correspondent Jonathan Head said it was not clear which faction had taken the initiative and moved into Government House. He said there has been pressure growing on the prime minister to resign, including groups close to King Bhumibol, following a political impasse in which April's general election was declared invalid. But it was thought that Thailand was making progress towards holding another election later in the year, our correspondent says. Witnesses said several hundred troops were posted at key points around Bangkok, including at government installations and major intersections. Russell Miles emailed the BBC News website to say there were troops "dressed in Swat-style gear strolling around" near Government House, and "a tense, but fairly controlled atmosphere". He said: "We saw a group of blokes bundling a cameraman and another chap into a van. We are taking photos, but not out in the open." At the United Nations, where the annual General Assembly is under way, it was announced that the agenda had been changed to allow Mr Thaksin to address it in the coming hours.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5361008.stm

Andaman Sea

The Andaman coast is a different world compared to the rest of Thailand. Steady
rainfall nourishes a huge variety of tropical fauna, with the lush canopy in
some areas reaching as high as 80m. In many places, scenic rubber and coconut
plantations have been carved out of the jungle by the locals.The Andaman coast
is also adorned with awe-inspiring limestone cliffs. These sheer, multi-coloured
monoliths, scarred with caves and crags, are also capped with thick vegetation.

Phuket is the main starting point for most visitors to Andaman Sea destinations. The popular trips to islands lying to the south and east of Phuket about 30 minutes to 2 hours away by motor boat, including Ko Phi Phi’s ancient cave drawings, Phangnga’s exotic backdrop, which appeared in a James Bond film.

Krabi Province’s Phra Nang, often called the most beautiful beach in the Andaman. Coral Island (Ko He) which
offers a dive all year round and has very beautiful natural scenery; Ko Racha, which have dives of up
to 30 meters; Shark Point, a favorite sleeping spot of leopard sharks and stingrays;

Ko Dok Mai which offers an impressive wall dive and a series of cave dives; and Ko Phi Phi where you can see white tip sharks, stingrays and moray eels besides colorful reef fishes.

Khao Lak offers a coral reef a few hundred meters off the beach and a spectacular wreck of a sunken tin miner.Further south, the remote, rarely traveled beaches of Lanta and the islands of Ko Tartutao National Park offer more amazing natural beauty.

Truly world class diving sites are located farther away including Ko Similan, Ko Surin, Ko Tarutao and Burma Banks. Despite their long distances, tours are organized by
some agencies in Phuket regularly during the dry season. All the first three island groups are marine national parks which offer magnificent coral gardens. Burma Banks being the farthest and newest, is in the best condition as a diving site.

power by azuretours

The Thai Mealtime

The following description of a Thai mealtime was written in the 1850’s by Monsignor Jean-Baptiste Pallegoix: The Thai take all their meals seated on a mat or carpet. The dishes are enclosed in great bronze vases with a lid in a conical shape and adorned with red cloth. The dishes are cut in small pieces and the rice is placed aside and to the right in a great, widening bowl. On the left side, there is a basin with water in which floats another small basin to drink. The diners have neither spoons, nor forks, nor knives. They only use a mother-of-pearl spoon to take from the plates. For all the rest, fingers are sufficient for them. Only when they are satisfied do they drink pure water or a cup of tea. Drinking from the same bowl or cup is not shocking to them. Among the rich people, the husband usually eats before his wife who serves him at the table.The Princes and the King are only different from their subjects by the richness of the cutlery and the variety of dishes. The dining hour is, so to speak, sacred for the Thai. One never bothers somebody who is eating; even masters themselves watch out not to interrupt the meal of their slaves. The time of a meal is also a time for silence. Even if one is with ten or twenty people to eat together, one barely hears a few words escape one or the other, so deeply engrossed are they in their business! Thus, their meals take only about a quarter of an hour. One must also remark that they never drink before or during a meal, only afterwards.

TOM YUM KUNG

 

TOM YUM KUNG



Ingredients:

For 2 servings 5-7

prawns 120g. (4 oz.)

straw mushrooms1-2

lemongrass 3-4

kaffir lime leaves 1 tbs.

roasted chilli paste 2 tbs

fish sauce3 tbs.

lime juice3-4

fresh chillies 4 cups

watercoriander leaves, red chillies and kaffir lime leaves for garnishing

Preparation:

1. Clean and devein the prawns.
Cut

lengthwise down the center of the prawns, but do not cut all the way

through.

2. Rinse the mushrooms and trim the base off. Dry well, and cut in halves.

3. Bring the water to a boil. Add lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves; then

add the prawns and mushrooms. Cook for 3-5 minutes.

4. Remove from heat, season with roasted chilli paste, fish sauce, lime

juice, and chillies.

5. Garnish with red chillies, kaffir lime leaves and coriander leaves.

Note : Coconut milk can be
substitued

with milk to enrich creamy flavour to the soup.

SOM TUM

SOM TUM Som tum or papaya salad is Thai regular
cuisine which is now worldwide. Traditionally, it is a type of Northeast Thais’
favorite. North and Northeast Thais call it ‘tum som’. Tum som or som tum
preparation is very simple. The main ingredients are a green papaya, spices,
garlic, lime juice, and fish sauce or a condiment of fermented fish. First, peel
a papaya and clean it. Then, chop the papaya in lengthways and then cut it into
short strips. Next, use a pestle and mortar to crush spices and garlic finely.
After that, put in papaya strips and combine all the ingredients together.
Sliced tomatoes and string beans can also be added. Then add lime juice and fish
sauce to one’s liking. For the real Northeast taste, a condiment of fermented
fish or pla ra is preferred to fish sauce. Sometimes both of them are added to
the dish. Som tum can be eaten with sticky rice and other dishes such as grilled
catfish, grilled chicken and so on. Northeast tum som has become popular in many
parts of Thailand because there are many Northeast people working and living
everywhere, especially in Bangkok. That is the reason why som tum is enormously
popular. However, it is now adapted to the Central Thais’ taste. For example,
sugar, roast peanuts and dried shrimps are added to flavor it. Besides, fish
sauce is used instead of the condiment of fermented fish.This som tum with
sweeter taste is called tum Thai. For some recipe, fermented fish field crabs
are also added to flavor the dish. Som tum is made of not only papayas, but also
other green fruits such as jackfruits, mangoes, and star gooseberries. Because
of its unique taste, som tum is now the desired cuisine served in every
first-class hotel. It is not only popular in Thailand, but it is also well-known
in many other countries. During the Vietnam war, sam turn started becoming
popular among American soldiers in service in the military base of Thailand.
After that, they made it khown to other people in the US and other countries.

How to get to Thailand

How to get to Thailand

By Air

Bangkok is Thailand's major gateway. Most visitors arrive through
Bangkok's Don Muang International Airport which is connected by daily flights to Europe, North America, Asia and Australasia aboard the world's major airlines.
Further international flights, mostly from
Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and HongKong, land on a less regular basis at the southern airports of Phuket and Hat Yai and Chiang Mai in northern ThailandCharter flights from Europe and the Orient sometimes land in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and at U-Taphao for Pattaya.

By Rail


Regular rail services link Singapore and Bangkok. Intermediary stops include
KualaLumpur, Butterworth and major southern Thai towns.

By Road

Overland entrance to Thailand is restricted to three road crossings on the
Thai-Malaysian border in Songkhla, Yala and Narathiwat.

By Sea

There are no regular steamship connections with Thailand. Cargo ships calling
at Bangkok's Klong Toey port sometimes have passenger cabin facilities. Cruise
ships, such as Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 11, Royal Viking, or Pearl of
Scandinavia periodically visit Pattaya.

Travel within Thailand

Domestic air, rail and road transport in Thailand is surprisingly inexpensive.


By Air

Thai Airways International, Thailand's national airline, flies to eight destinations in the North, seven
destinations in the Northeast, and six in the South. Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok directly to Ko Samui, Ranong, Cha-am (Hua Hin) and Sukhothai. It also flies one-stop to Chiang Mai and Phuket, and from Samui to U-Tapao (Pattaya). There are also services linking Samui and Singapore. Orient Thai Airline connects major Thai cities such as Chiang MaiSurat Thani-Hat Yai, Chiang
Mai-Hat Yai, Chiang Mai-U-Tapao, Chiang Mai-Udon Thani-Ubon Ratchathani, Chiang Mai- Khon Kaen-Ubon Ratchathani. Reservations can be made through any authorized Thai Inter Travel Agent. Thai
Airways International's Lan Luang Office is on 6 Lan Luang Road, Tel: 280-0110,280-0060. The airline also organises 'Royal Orchid Holidays' tours to every destination it flies to.


By Rail

An efficient rail system links major northern and northeastern towns with the
capital. A southern route permits the visitor to travel by train into Malaysia
and Singapore. Domestic express trains comprise first, second and third class
carriages. Slower trains may have only third-class seats.

The State Railway of Thailand organizes oneday, two-day economy tours to various destinations on Saturdays, Sundays and official holidays. Other tours include trips to Surat Thani (for Ko Samui), Chumphon and Chiang Mai. Railway schedules can be obtained from Bangkok Railway Station, Tel: 223-7010, 2237020.

By Road

A modern highway system reaches into all corners of the kingdom. Domestic bus
services offer fast means of travel. Airconditioned tour coaches offer more
comfort.



Bangkok's
Northern/Northeastern Bus Terminal is on Kam Phaeng Phet 2 Road, Tel: 9363674,
9363667-8.



Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal is on Pinklao-Nakhon Chaisri Road, Tel : 4351190, 4351200 (air-conditioned) and 4345558 (regular).

Bangkok's Eastern Bus terminal is on Sukhumvit Road, Tel: 3929227, 3919829 (airconditioned)
and 3912504, 3922521 (regular).

Travel inside Bangkok

Public Transportation

Public buses are plentiful and cheap, with 3.50 baht minimum and 5 baht
maximum fares to most destinations within metropolitan Bangkok- Air-
conditioned buses within Bangkok have minimum and maximum fares of 6 and 16
baht respectively. Red and grey Micro-Buses, also air conditioned, cost 30
baht for single journey.

A Bus Route Map is available at most hotels, bookshops and the TAT head office
for 35 baht.

Taxis and
Tuk Tuks


Hotel taxis have fixed tariffs. Taxis cruising the streets of Bangkok, and
designated "taximeters" charge 35 baht for the first 3 kilome

tres and approximately 5 baht for every kilometre thereafter.
Tuk-Tuk or three wheel taxis are quite popular among the tourists for short
journeys inside Bangkok. Fares range from a minimum of 30 baht to a maximum of
150 baht. Fares must be bargained for.

River Taxis

There are many boats plying the Chao Phraya River. Some criss-cross between
landings on opposite banks while the Chao Phraya Express boats travel upstream
and downstream within the metropolis. Fares range between 5 and 15 baht.

KHON

Khon, a performance of which acting and dancing are combined. All methods are identical to those of LAKHON(Acting). Only minor differences make KHON not to be called LAKHON. Dancing in KHON is similar to dancing in LAKHON NAI(Royal act). More pattern of dancing with different actors and melody are adapted to avoid similarity among them.

Main characteristic of KHON is that the performers, except angle, leading male and female performers, have to wear masks.

The masks cover performers’ head '. There are holes, for visibility, at eye position. They are decorated to perfectly portray protagonists’ personalities such as YAK(demon), simian, teva (angel) and others. Masks are decorated with gold, lacquer, and paste jewels. Some people call them “Na Khon”.



The story is proceeded by both rhythmic expressions called “Pak” and rhythmic dialogue. The Pak’s words are Karb Yani (a verse that consists of 11 syllables) and Karb Chabang (a verse that consists of 16 syllables). The dialogues and songs for KHON actors are all recited and sung by, so called, a cheracha man ( a person who speaks out the dialogues for the performers).

Costumes for KHON and LAKHON NAI are identical. The only distinctive item is, naturally, the mask. The masks are in various designs depending on characters and roles. The dress for a leading actor and demon has two colours distinguishing a waistcoat and sleeves. The waistcoat, by this token, represents Armour. For the simian roles, coats and sleeves are designed with pattern of lines rounded in clockwise direction representing hairs. For the demons, there must be a short piece of cloth hanging at the back hem.

The repertoire for KHON is drawn from Ramakien (Ramayana). The KHON performances are categorized as described below.

Khon Klang Plaeng

Khon Klang Planeg is the open-air mask play. Assuming one side of the area to be the city of Lonka, whereas the other side as Phra Ram’s royal quarter, fenced as a imitative camp. There is a 2 m high platform built for a gamelan at each side of stage area. If there is a battle scene at the central zone, the nearer gamelan is responsible to play the music. Khon Klang Plaeng is proceded by recitation and dialogues only.


Khon Nung Rao

Khon Nung rao is performed on the stage at the height of eyesight. The floor is in rectangle shape. The stage is flanked by 3 parts of curtain, which is painted a swell scene of mountain and forests. At outside, on the right of the stage, is a 3 m long with swell paintings of fences and royal quarter of Phra Ram. On the left is a swell painting of a palace and castles, assumed to be the city of Lonka. Two main entrances separating central zone scene and outside scenes. In front of the scene, 1.5 m apart, there is a wooden-tube rail, which is supported by a 60 cm long pole, placed towards the scene. At each end of the stage, there is a 1 m high platform for a gamelan.

The wooden-tube rail serves as seating. When sitting and facing left, the left leg crosses the rail. Do the same when facing right. Phra Ram and his followers sit on the right. Phra Ram himself sits on the far right end of the rail, facing left. His followers orderly sit towards the rail’s mid point. At Lonka side (for the demon) is on the left of the rail. The leader, facing right, sits on the left end of the rail. The followers sit before him, facing left. The non-seated performance can be displayed at all area of the stage. The performance, as in Khon Klang Plaeng, is proceeded by recitation and dialogues only. Forms of dancing are perfectly performed as innovated in the traditional Master of the dance. The performers have to adapt their steps and poses to the recitations and songs of the chorus. The orchestras (gamelan) alternately perform the music from the beginning (Hom rong) to the end of the performance.

Khon Rong Nai

Khon rong Nai is a mixture of Khon and Lakhon Nai. They are both in door performance. A single curtain is used as a scene. There are two exits. A bench is placed near each of them. A gamelan may be, depending on the setting, at the back of each bench or slightly towards the stage.

The performance is proceeded by recitation, dialogue and songs, which are performed by recitators, dialogue man (Cheracha man) and choruses. Similary begin as Lakhon Nai, that is, the leading actor sits on the bench, then carry on his/her dialogue or song as the story proceeds, either as Khon or Lakhon. For example;

When the gamelan is performing Pleng Wa, simians sit at their positions. Phra Ram and Phra Lak sit on the bench. Leading chorus sings Pleng Cha Pee Nai, a swan song, narrative singing. Khon actors return to backstage when final rhythm ends. When the orchestra play Krao Nok ( a classical tune), simian role Khon performers turn up, followed by a crook gang, a simian King, Phra Lak and Phra Ram. Then, Krao Nok dancing is performed, continued with Pak Chom rot and manilulating song.

An important Khon instrument which is distinctive from Lakhon’s, is a royal chariot and a state umbrella, held by an attendant over the leading actor.

It has become the preferred habit for those taking leading roles as well as roles of celestial being not to wear masks since Khon joined with Lakhon Nai, which is called Khon Rong Nai.

Khon Na Chor

Khon Na Chor (mask-play before the scene) is a performance that is identical to Khon Rong Nai. It is only a variety in which the presentation takes place.

The theatre for Khon Na Chor is an adapted version of that for Nung Yai (big screen). Two entrances are added, a bamboo curtain under the screen makes the Khon actor visible for a chorus. The screens outside both entrances are painted; one side is a royal court for Phra Ram, the other is Lon Ka palaces and castles. One bench is placed near each door. The orchestra used to be in front of the choruses who is at the back of the stage.

All types of Khon, from khon klang plaeng to Khon na Chor, has a special musical instrument called “Krong”. Krong is made from big bamboo stems with 3-4 meters long, supported at both ends, 8 centimeters above the floor. 4-5 persons sit in line, holding Krub (a wooden rhythm instrument) in both hands, make the rhythms. Only mirthful songs such as Krao Nok, Krao Nai, or Cherd are performed at the back of the screen. Khon peformers have no participation in the rhythm produced.

Khon Chak

Khon chak is the mask play on the stage. The screen changes as the story proceeds. The method of peformance is the same as Khon Rong Nai. The story is organised to match the already set up scene. If the place has enough space before the curtain for the play, when the curtain is closed, there may be the continuous play before the curtain. So the story is continuously proceeded

Thai food

Thai food is internationally famous. Whether chilli-hot or comparatively blands, harmony is the guiding principle behind each dish. Thai cuisine is essentially a marriage of centuries-old Eastern and Western influences harmoniously combined into something uniquely Thai. The characteristics of Thai food depend on who cooks it, for whom it is cooked, for what occasion, and where it is cooked to suit all palates. Originally, Thai cooking reflected the characteristics of a waterborne lifestyle. Aquatic animals, plants and herbs were major ingredients. Large chunks of meat were eschewed. Subsequent influences introduced the use of sizeable chunks to Thai cooking.
With their Buddhist background, Thais shunned the use of large animals in big chunks. Big cuts of meat were shredded and laced with herbs and spices. Traditional Thai cooking methods were stewing and baking, or grilling. Chinese influences saw the introduction of frying, stir frying and deep-frying. Culinary influences from the 17th century onwards included Portuguese, Dutch, French and Japanese. Chillies were introduced to Thai cooking during the late 1600s by Portuguese missionaries who had acquired a taste for them while serving in South America.
Thais were very adapt at 'Siamese-ising' foreign cooking methods, and substituting ingredients. The ghee used in Indian cooking was replaced by coconut oil, and coconut milk substituted for other daily products. Overpowering pure spices were toned down and enhanced by fresh herbs such as lemon grass and galanga. Eventually, fewer and less spices were used in Thai curries, while the use of fresh herbs increased. It is generally acknowledged that Thai curries burn intensely, but briefly, whereas other curries, with strong spices, burn for longer periods. Instead of serving dishes in courses, a Thai meal is served all at once, permitting dinners to enjoy complementary combinations of different tastes.
A proper Thai meal should consist of a soup, a curry dish with condiments, a dip with accompanying fish and vegetables. A spiced salad may replace the curry dish. The soup can also be spicy, but the curry should be replaced by non spiced items. There must be a harmony of tastes and textures within individual dishes and the entire meal.


Eating & Ordering Thai Food
Thai food is eaten with a fork and spoon. Even single dish meals such as fried rice with pork, or steamed rice topped with roasted duck, are served in bite-sized slices or chunks obviating the need for a knife. The spoon is used to convey food to the mouth.
Ideally, eating Thai food is a communal affair involving two or more people, principally because the greater the number of diners the greater the number of dishes ordered. Generally speaking, two diners order three dishes in addition to their own individual plates of steamed rice, three diners four dishes, and so on. Diners choose whatever they require from shared dishes and generally add it to their own rice. Soups are enjoyed concurrently with rice. Soups are enjoyed concurrently with other dishes, not independently. Spicy dishes, not independently. Spicy dishes are "balanced" by bland dishes to avoid discomfort.
The ideal Thai meal is a harmonious blend of the spicy, the subtle, the sweet and sour, and is meant to be equally satisfying to eye, nose and palate. A typical meal might include a clear soup (perhaps bitter melons stuffed with minced pork), a steamed dish (mussels in curry sauce), a fried dish (fish with ginger), a hot salad (beef slices on a bed of lettuce, onions, chillies, mint and lemon juice) and a variety of sauces into which food is dipped. This would be followed by sweet desserts and/or fresh fruits such as mangoes, durian, jackfruit, papaya, grapes or melon.

Thailand marks king's anniversary

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej has called for national unity during colourful celebrations in the capital to mark his 60 years on the throne. The king, who is the world's longest-serving monarch, addressed a cheering crowd of hundreds of thousands of people in Bangkok's Royal Plaza. Speaking from the palace balcony, King Bhumibol, 78, said that unity would bring prosperity to Thailand. Dignitaries from around the world are in Bangkok for the celebrations. "Unity is a basis for all Thais to help preserve and bring prosperity to the country in the long run," the king told the crowd, which stretched some 3 km (2 miles).
"If Thais uphold these ethics, it will ensure that Thailand will stand firmly," he said.
'Historic event' Hundreds of thousands of Thai's, most wearing yellow or carrying yellow flags to honour the monarch, had gathered to hear the king speak. They received his address with shouts of "Long Live His Majesty!" "Police estimate almost one million people were there at the peak of the royal audience," Bangkok police spokesman Colonel Pinit Maneerut told the AFP news agency. "It's an unprecedented and historic event," he said.
Many people had arrived in the early hours to find a place from which to see the king, who is both highly revered and very popular. Chom Taenglek, who arrived at dawn, wore a yellow shirt. "This is a very auspicious opportunity," he told Reuters news agency.
"I would like to see all Thais sacrifice and do good for the country and our king, whom everyone should follow as a role model," he said. 'Lasting admiration' The open displays of affection for the king are genuine, says the BBC's Jonathan Head. Few Thais have anything but praise for the man they describe as being the very soul of their country.
King Bhumibol ascended the throne in 1946, after the mysterious death of his older brother.
He has reigned - holding few defined powers of his own - through 17 military coups, 20 different prime ministers, and 15 constitutions. His relentless travel throughout Thailand earlier in his reign and his strong personal interest in rural development increased his public profile and won him lasting admiration. But it has been his timely interventions at moments of crisis that have earned him the gratitude of so many Thais - most recently when he ended the stand-off over a disputed general electioinclude fireworks, feasts and a river parade of ceremonialn in April, our correspondent says. The five days of celebrations will boats. Heads of state and senior dignitaries from around the world, including Japan's Emperor Akihito, Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands and the UK's Prince Andrew, are due to participate in the festivities.

Muay Thai The Art Of Fighting

Muay Thai(Thai Boxing) is what the Thai people call their own martial art. The art of Muay Thai has been the country's most popular spectator sport for hundreds of years.. It is unique among other kinds of fighting disciplines in its approach to close quarters fighting. Fighters are able to more effectively use their elbows, knees, feet and fists than in other martial arts.

The Wai Kru (respects to the teacher) also known as Ram Muay (boxing dance) is an important part of any evening watching Thai Boxing. These are ceremonies that are performed before each Muay Thai bout. Sometimes the Wai Kru are brief and basic, but other times they may be eloquent performances that draw praise and applause from the crowd. It is said that those who see well can determine who will win the fight by watching two fighters perform their Wai Kru. Teachers are highly respected in Thai society, and many artistic disciplines, not just Muay Thai, perform Wai Kru or "respects to the teacher". Foreigners viewing these rituals should take care to be polite and not act disrespectfully regarding the Wai Kru. The Thais take seriously any insult to the Wai Kru, just as you would if somebody insulted your spiritual beliefs.

Before the competition of Muay-Thai ,Krabi-Krabong (Thai swords) , or any other ancient weapons martial arts , every competitor must perform the "Wai-Khru" ritual and perform the boxing dance which is the continued tradition since ancient times."Wai-Khru" is a way to pay respect to his majesty the king or the chairman of the competition tournament. Furthermore , "Wai-Khru" is the way to realize the goodness of the master who gave them the knowledge. It's also the way to create the strength of their mind. The style of the dance is unique to each boxing bureau. Boxers who danced the same style wouldn't box each other since they realize that they have the same master. Furthermore, to dance is one way to warm up before starting the fight . It also helps relax the stress and to prepare body and mind to be ready to get into the battle. Click here for detail....

History of Thailand

Welcome..to Thailand Land of Smile

History of Thailand The history of Thailand begins with the migration of the Thais into what is now Thailand during the first millennium. Prior to this, bronze and iron age civilisations had existed for several thousand years, plus later Mon, Malay and Khmer kingdoms. The Thais established their own kingdoms, most prominently a brief flowering at Sukhothai and more lastingly the Ayutthaya kingdom. These kingdoms were under constant threat from Burma and Vietnam, as well as from Thai and Lao rivals. The European colonial powers threatened in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but Thailand survived as the only south-east Asian state to avoid colonial rule. After the end of the absolute Thai monarchy in 1932, Thailand endured sixty years of almost permanent military rule before the establishment of a democratic system. Early history of Thailand The earliest major archaeological site in Thailand is Ban Chiang; dating of artifacts from this site is controversial, but there is a consensus that at least by 3600 BC, the inhabitants had developed bronze tools and had begun to cultivate wet rice, providing the impetus for social and political organization.Later, Malay, Mon, and Khmer civilizations flourished in the region prior to the domination of the Thais, most notably the kingdom of Srivijaya in the south, the Dvaravati kingdom in central Thailand and the Khmer empire based at Angkor. The Thais are related linguistically to groups originating in southern China. Migrations from southern China to Southeast Asia took place primarily during the first millennium AD, most likely via northern Laos.

Sukhothai and Lannathai

This date the founding of their nation to the 13th century. According to tradition, Thai chieftains overthrew their Khmer overlords at Sukhothai in 1238 and established a Thai kingdom. The city briefly dominated the area of modern Thailand under King Ramkhamhaeng, but after his death it fell into decline and became subject to the Ayutthaya kingdom in 1365, which dominated southern and central Thailand until the 1700s.Many other Thai statelets coexisted with Sukhothai, most notably the northern kingdom of Lannathai or Lanna. This state emerged in the same period as Sukhothai, but survived longer. Its independent history ended in 1558, when it fell to the Burmese; thereafter it was dominated by Burma and Ayutthaya in turn before falling to the army of the Siamese King Taksin in 1775.

Ayutthaya

The first ruler of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, King Ramathibodi I, made two important contributions to Thai history:theestablishment and promotion of Theravada Buddhism as the official religion - to differentiate his kingdom from the neighboring Hindu kingdom of Angkor - and the compilation of the Dharmashastra, a legal code based on Hindu sources and traditional Thai custom. The Dharmashastra remained a tool of Thai law until late in the
19th century. Beginning with the Portuguese in the 16th century, Ayutthaya had some contact with the West, but until the 1800s, its relations with neighboring nations, as well as with India and China, were of primary importance. Ayyutthaya dominated a considerable area, ranging from the Islamic states on the Malay Peninsula to states in northern Thailand. Nonetheless, the Burmese, who had control of Lanna and had also unified their kingdom under a powerful dynasty, launched several invasion attempts in the 1750s and 1760s. Finally, in 1767, the Burmese attacked the city and conquered it. The royal family fled the city where the king died of starvation ten days later. The Ayutthaya royal line had been extinguished.

Bangkok period


After more than 400 years of power, in 1767, the Kingdom of Ayutthaya was brought down by invading Burmese armies, its capital burned, and the territory split. General Taksin managed to reunite the Thai kingdom from his new capital of Thonburi and declared himself king in 1769. However, Taksin allegedly became mad, and he was deposed, taken prisoner, and executed in 1782.General Chakri succeeded him in 1782 as Rama I, the first king of the Chakri dynasty. In the same year he founded the new capital city at Bangkok, across the Chao Phraya river from Thonburi, Taksin's capital. In the 1790s Burma was defeated and driven out of Siam, as it was now called. Lanna also became free of Burmese occupation, but the king of a new dynasty was installed in the 1790s was effectively a puppet ruler of the Chakri monarch.The heirs of Rama I became increasingly concerned with the threat of Europeancolonialism after British victories in neighbouring Burma in 1826. The first Thai recognition of Western power in the region was the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the United Kingdom in 1826. In 1833, the United States began diplomatic exchanges with Siam, as Thailand was called until 1939, and again between 1945 and 1949. However, it was during the later reigns of King Chulalongkorn, and his father King Mongkut, that Thailand established firm rapprochement with Western powers. The Thais believe that the diplomatic skills of these monarchs, combined with the modernizing reforms of the Thai Government, made Siam the only country in South and Southeast Asia to avoid European colonization. This is reflected in the country's modern name, Prathet Thai or Thai-land, used unofficially between 1939 and 1945 and officially declared on May 11, 1949, in which prathet means "nation" and thai means "free".The Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 made the modern border between Siam and British Malaya by securing the Thai authority on the provinces of Pataki, Yala, Narathiwat and Satun, which were previously part of the semi-independent Malay sultanates of Pattani and Kedah. A series of treaties with France fixed the country's current eastern border with Laos and Cambodia. Siam had earlier made claim and to some extent controlled to the two territories.

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