The earliest period of history from which Thai antiques can be traced is the Dvaravati period, (7th to 11th centuries AD), and almost all of these are Hinayana Buddhism items. During this time, the Mon people ruled an area in central Thailand but reached as far north as present day Lamphun, and Gupta influenced (from Indian artisans) pieces are still found there to this day.
This was followed by the Lopburi period (7th to 14th centuries AD), which can be categorised into early Lopburi art and the later Lopburi period. Antiques from this period display a strong Khmer influence, although a distinctly different style from that of the Dvaravati period.
Flourishings from the Lanna Kingdom are roughly grouped under the Chiang Saen era (11th to 18th centuries AD), based upon the important trading town still standing on the banks of the Mekhong. Little has been recorded on the earlier period in which Buddha images were profoundly influenced by styles from India, arriving via craftsmen imported from Pagan in Burma. Indeed during this time Lanna was overrun or allied to kingdoms in Burma on several occasions, but produced an era of artistic growth.
The latter period was strongly influenced by the rise of the Sukhothai period (13th to 14th centuries AD), considered by many to be the zenith of cultural and artistic development in the area. The style of Buddha images is particularly distinctive from this period, with a serene smiling expression and remarkable body form.
Following that, the Ayuthaya period (14th to 18th centuries AD) rose to prominence and influenced the entire region before succumbing to Burmese invasion. The present artistic era, Ratanakosin, dates from the founding of Bangkok in the mid 18th century and has established its own style of religious and other art, influenced increasingly by cultures outside of Southeast Asia.
credit : http://www.1stopchiangmai.com/shopping/ban_tawai/
Monday, September 21, 2009
Tarutao National Park
Thailand's first nation marine park in the Andaman Sea is not only a haven for the holiday-minded naturalist, it is also one one of the "last" fast disappearing Robinson Cruso island destinations in Asia. Want to get away from civilisation, chuck your every day cares and return to a simpler more nature-oriented way of lift? You can and you don't have to go further than Tarutao, Thailand's first nation marine park in the Andaman Sea.
Tarutao - the name in malay means "old, mysterious and primitive" - and so it is! For centuries a home of the Chao Lay, sea-going gypsies; later a penal colony and place of detention for political prisoners. Becoming, during the rough and lawless days of World War II a pirates' haven, until a 300-man volunteer group from the Royal British Navy landed in March, 1964 and weeded out the trouble-making buccaneers, who preyed on the cargo, fishing and passenger ferry boats that piled the upper Malacca Strait.
After the departure of the English, Tarutao slept peacefully, except for visiting fishmen; the island, virtually abandoned, returned to Mother Nature and the wild underbrush, left untamed, did the rest.
In 1974 Tarutao and the 51 islands in the group, were declared Thailand's first national maine park, and a new era had happily begun.
It was not to be an easy task. The land was "untamed", the few settlers from the mainland who had "homesteaded" on Tarutao, most of them illegally, were not happy with the new land status.
In the early days of the park's history, violence was rampant and apart from the difficulties imposed by nature - bad weather, storms, malaria and loneliness - the pioneering park rangers had to fend off vigilante attacks by the disgruntled settlers.
But the stories of heroism - larger than life - that marked the national marine park's early development era, certainly equal the exploits of American Far West's rangers. While Tarutao's wild and lawless days are today, a part of history, a whiff of the "old times" still remains. The island - mostly mountainous, with a few broad plains and valleys, covered with semi-evergreen rain-forest and lined with several long white sand beaches and mangrove swamps along the western coast, from Pante Bay to Taloh Udang Bay in the south, has an untamed and un-manicured look about it.
The largest island - 26.5 kilometres long and 11 kilometres wide - in an archipelago of 51 smaller islands, it lies in the southeast corner of the Andaman Sea, a short distance from the Malaysian border.
Buffeted by heavy winds and rains during the monsoon season - May through Octerber - the best time to visit are the other six months of the year, when you can count on flat seas, calm tropic tradewinds and sunshine every day.
For the adventure-minded naturalist, outdoors' enthusiast, snorkler or scuba diver, who wants to experience "nature in the raw", without the customary holiday resort trappings, the Tarutao National Marine Park is unbeatable and "unique" in Asia.
But don't look for the trappings of civilisation, you won't find them here; no smiling hostesses, cocktails at sunset or noisy discos to keep you entertained.
Tarutao and the other pristine islands in the archipelago are wildlife sanctuaries where dusky langurs, crab-eating macaques, flying lemurs, fishing cats, monitor lizards, pythons, cobras and coral snakes, live in creature comfort with some 100 different bird species, residents and migrants.
You can easily spot the reef egrets, the majestic white-bellied sea eagles, ospreys, hornbills, herons, kites, kingfishers, sunbirds and both the scarlet and orange-backed flower-pecker.
Nearby, just off the southwest trip of Tarutao is the Bird's Nest Island of Ko Rank Kok, where a shrine to placate the spirits guards the entrance to the limestone cave.
The waters, surrounding the islands, clear and translucent, are pollution free and care has been taken to make sure that they remain so. The diving is superb and the Adang-Rawi group of islands in the western corner of the national marine park area, contains many coral reefs of high-species diversity.
It is estimated that the park contains 25% of the world's fish species, including members of the shark, ray, gulper, eel, catfish, salmon, flying perch, angel and butterfly fish. Among the marine mammals, are the dugong, common and Irawaddy dolphin, pperm and minke whale.
The Tarutao National Marine Park is also the favoured breeding grounds for three species of migratory sea turtles - Green, Hawks-bill and Pacific Ridley - who nest on the islands' beaches from October to January, labouriously making their way asore to lay their eggs.
The marine park officials have built sea turtle nursing ponds at the Pante Bay park headquarters, where the hatchlings are raised until they will be old enough to brave the danders of the se predators and this is certainly worth visiting.
Other activities, aside from snorkeling, scuba diving, ialand-exploring and following the trail to the 114-metre-high To-Boo Cliff for and overall view of the distant islands that make up the national marine park, you can enjoy swimming and sun-bathing on your "own" private beach.
Accommodations - private two-room bungalows with bath-sleeping two to a room, are very reasonable. There are also the bamboo longhouses with outside shared bath, each room sleeping four people that are even less expensive. Two-person tents and three-person tents are also available at a nominal charge. You can take your chance and get accommodation at arrival or you can make arrangements in advance by contacting the National Park Division Reservation Office, Royal Forest Department, Bang Khen, Bangkok; Tel. (02) 579-0529, 579-4842 during office hours.
How to get to Tarutao National Marine Park
By Boat to Tarutao Island: Two boats leave from Pakbara port in Satun Province on the mainland everyday at 10:30 and 14:00. And two boats return daily, leaving Pante Bay at 09.00 and 14.00. From Pante Bay, you can make arrangements for travel by private boat and accommodation to other islands in the marine park group.
credit: http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Cabana/1654/tarutao.htm
Tarutao - the name in malay means "old, mysterious and primitive" - and so it is! For centuries a home of the Chao Lay, sea-going gypsies; later a penal colony and place of detention for political prisoners. Becoming, during the rough and lawless days of World War II a pirates' haven, until a 300-man volunteer group from the Royal British Navy landed in March, 1964 and weeded out the trouble-making buccaneers, who preyed on the cargo, fishing and passenger ferry boats that piled the upper Malacca Strait.
After the departure of the English, Tarutao slept peacefully, except for visiting fishmen; the island, virtually abandoned, returned to Mother Nature and the wild underbrush, left untamed, did the rest.
In 1974 Tarutao and the 51 islands in the group, were declared Thailand's first national maine park, and a new era had happily begun.
It was not to be an easy task. The land was "untamed", the few settlers from the mainland who had "homesteaded" on Tarutao, most of them illegally, were not happy with the new land status.
In the early days of the park's history, violence was rampant and apart from the difficulties imposed by nature - bad weather, storms, malaria and loneliness - the pioneering park rangers had to fend off vigilante attacks by the disgruntled settlers.
But the stories of heroism - larger than life - that marked the national marine park's early development era, certainly equal the exploits of American Far West's rangers. While Tarutao's wild and lawless days are today, a part of history, a whiff of the "old times" still remains. The island - mostly mountainous, with a few broad plains and valleys, covered with semi-evergreen rain-forest and lined with several long white sand beaches and mangrove swamps along the western coast, from Pante Bay to Taloh Udang Bay in the south, has an untamed and un-manicured look about it.
The largest island - 26.5 kilometres long and 11 kilometres wide - in an archipelago of 51 smaller islands, it lies in the southeast corner of the Andaman Sea, a short distance from the Malaysian border.
Buffeted by heavy winds and rains during the monsoon season - May through Octerber - the best time to visit are the other six months of the year, when you can count on flat seas, calm tropic tradewinds and sunshine every day.
For the adventure-minded naturalist, outdoors' enthusiast, snorkler or scuba diver, who wants to experience "nature in the raw", without the customary holiday resort trappings, the Tarutao National Marine Park is unbeatable and "unique" in Asia.
But don't look for the trappings of civilisation, you won't find them here; no smiling hostesses, cocktails at sunset or noisy discos to keep you entertained.
Tarutao and the other pristine islands in the archipelago are wildlife sanctuaries where dusky langurs, crab-eating macaques, flying lemurs, fishing cats, monitor lizards, pythons, cobras and coral snakes, live in creature comfort with some 100 different bird species, residents and migrants.
You can easily spot the reef egrets, the majestic white-bellied sea eagles, ospreys, hornbills, herons, kites, kingfishers, sunbirds and both the scarlet and orange-backed flower-pecker.
Nearby, just off the southwest trip of Tarutao is the Bird's Nest Island of Ko Rank Kok, where a shrine to placate the spirits guards the entrance to the limestone cave.
The waters, surrounding the islands, clear and translucent, are pollution free and care has been taken to make sure that they remain so. The diving is superb and the Adang-Rawi group of islands in the western corner of the national marine park area, contains many coral reefs of high-species diversity.
It is estimated that the park contains 25% of the world's fish species, including members of the shark, ray, gulper, eel, catfish, salmon, flying perch, angel and butterfly fish. Among the marine mammals, are the dugong, common and Irawaddy dolphin, pperm and minke whale.
The Tarutao National Marine Park is also the favoured breeding grounds for three species of migratory sea turtles - Green, Hawks-bill and Pacific Ridley - who nest on the islands' beaches from October to January, labouriously making their way asore to lay their eggs.
The marine park officials have built sea turtle nursing ponds at the Pante Bay park headquarters, where the hatchlings are raised until they will be old enough to brave the danders of the se predators and this is certainly worth visiting.
Other activities, aside from snorkeling, scuba diving, ialand-exploring and following the trail to the 114-metre-high To-Boo Cliff for and overall view of the distant islands that make up the national marine park, you can enjoy swimming and sun-bathing on your "own" private beach.
Accommodations - private two-room bungalows with bath-sleeping two to a room, are very reasonable. There are also the bamboo longhouses with outside shared bath, each room sleeping four people that are even less expensive. Two-person tents and three-person tents are also available at a nominal charge. You can take your chance and get accommodation at arrival or you can make arrangements in advance by contacting the National Park Division Reservation Office, Royal Forest Department, Bang Khen, Bangkok; Tel. (02) 579-0529, 579-4842 during office hours.
How to get to Tarutao National Marine Park
By Boat to Tarutao Island: Two boats leave from Pakbara port in Satun Province on the mainland everyday at 10:30 and 14:00. And two boats return daily, leaving Pante Bay at 09.00 and 14.00. From Pante Bay, you can make arrangements for travel by private boat and accommodation to other islands in the marine park group.
credit: http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Cabana/1654/tarutao.htm
Top 10 Thai Food
I spent most of the day at the Book Fair at Queen Sirikit Convention Hall. The big fairs are usually during the school holidays in April and October. I used to comment that Thai people don’t like reading much (apart from cartoon books), but every year more and more people go to these book fairs. Today was packed and I could hardly move. I bought quite a few books that I will share with you later, but first I want to show you this book which is all about the Top 10 of Thai Food! Obviously one of my favourite subjects. As you can see, the book is in Thai. I think I already have the best of the cookery books in English. Most of them are quite limited and repeat themselves a lot. So, that is why today I was browsing through the cook books written by Thai people. A better selection for sure. I bought half a dozen cook books which will help me a lot identifying the ingredients of street food that I have already photographed. I could blog about Thai food every day, I am just lacking the information sometimes.
Anyway, according to this book, the following is the Top 10 list of Thai Food:
1.Hot and sour soup with shrimp
2.Green curry with chicken
3.Fried Noodles
4.Pork fried in basil
5.Red curry with roast duck
6.Coconut soup with chicken
7.Thai style salad with beef
8.Satay pork
9.Fried chicken with cashew
10.Panang curry
credit: http://www.enjoythaifood.com/top10thaifood.php
Anyway, according to this book, the following is the Top 10 list of Thai Food:
1.Hot and sour soup with shrimp
2.Green curry with chicken
3.Fried Noodles
4.Pork fried in basil
5.Red curry with roast duck
6.Coconut soup with chicken
7.Thai style salad with beef
8.Satay pork
9.Fried chicken with cashew
10.Panang curry
credit: http://www.enjoythaifood.com/top10thaifood.php
Wat Pha kaeo Temples
The temple is in the outer section of the Royal Enclosure west of the Grand Palace . It was built on the orders of King Rama I along with the Grand Palace and Rattanakosin Island , and is built as a temple in a Royal compound like Wat Sri Sanphet in Ayutthaya . It has no resident monks.
The Emerald Buddha (Phra Putta Maha Mani Ratana Patimakorn or Phra Kaeo Morakot): This is a Buddha image in the meditating position in the style of the Lanna school of the north, dating from the 15th century AD. King Rama I brought it from Vientiane , and it is considered to be the most important Buddha image in the country.
Model of Angkor Wat: King Rama IV had this built by Phra Samphopphai when Cambodia was under Siamese control. The model was recreated in plaster at the behest of King Rama V to celebrate the first centenary of the Royal city.
Prasat Phra Thepidon: This four-square prang originally called "Puttaprang Prasat" was built in the reign of King Rama IV. Inside are statues of Kings Rama I-King Rama VIII, to which the public pay their respects on Chakri Day, April 6, every year.
Mondop:This structure stands behind Prasat Phra Thepidon, and was built in the reign of King Rama I. Inside is a cabinet holding the Buddhist scriptures beautifully decorated in mother-of-pearl.
Balcony: This can be compared to the temple wall. The murals inside tell the Ramayana story in its entirety. On the columns of the balcony are stone inscriptions of the verses describing the murals.
Phra Sri Ratana Chedi: Built in the style of Wat Sri Sanphet in Ayutthaya , this chedi is to the west of the Monhop. Inside is a small chedi with relics of the Lord Buddha.
Phra Atsada Maha Chedi: This group of eight chedis stands in front of the temple. It was built in the reign of King Rama I and dedicated to the heavens. Six of the group are outside the balcony, two are inside. Each has its own name.
Yaksa Tavarnbal (Gate-keeping Giants): Six pairs of mythical ogres stand at each gate of the Balcony. These are the main Giants of the Ramayana.
Hor Phra Khanthan-rat: Standing in the estern corner of the balcony, this is where the Phra Puttakhanthan-rat figure is enshrined. It presides over the Royal rain-making ceremony and the ceremony of the first rice planting. Inside are paintings by the mural artist Khrua In Khong.
Hor Phra Ratcha Karamanusorn: Inside this structure are 34 Buddha images in various positions, built by command of King Rama III and dedicated the kings of Ayutthaya and Thonburi.
Hor Phra Ratcha Pongsanusorn: Built in the reign of King Rama IV, this is the location of the Buddha image of the reigning King of the Rattanakosin Era. Inside are murals of Royal chronicles of Ayutthaya by Khrua In Khong.
Hor Phra Nak: Situated behind the temple, this traditional Thai building roofed with glazed tiles contains the ashes of the Royal family.
Address:Na Phralan RoadPhra Borommaharatchawang Sub-District Phra Nakhon District Bangkok 10200
Tel: (662) 222-8181: 3801 3890 222-2208 623-5500: 3100
Bus: 1 3 6 9 15 19 25 30 32 33 39 43 44 47 53 59 60 64 65 70 80 82 91 123 201 203Air-con Bus: 1 8 25 506 507 512 Sai 38 39 44
Pier: Chao Phraya Express Boat: Tha Chang Pier
Opening Hour:Daily 8 am-4 pmAdmission Fee: Foreigner 200 Bht
Activity-Festival:Sun: Sermon 1 pm Buddist Holy Day: Sermon 9 am 1 amGuide: 10 am 2 pm Personal Audio Guide (PAG): German English French Japanese Mandarin Russian Spain Thai
Admission Fee:100 Bht/2 hours Passport/Credit card Tel: (662) 222-2208
Coffee Shop:Sala AtthawichanRestaurant:Sala Atthawicthan
Prohibited:Taking photo inside the ubosotMan: Shorts Pants Slippers Woman: Undershirt Singlet Shorts SandalsParking:Ratchavoradit Pier Snam Luang Wat Mahathat
credit: http://www.tripsthailand.com/places_p_wpk_ent.php
The Emerald Buddha (Phra Putta Maha Mani Ratana Patimakorn or Phra Kaeo Morakot): This is a Buddha image in the meditating position in the style of the Lanna school of the north, dating from the 15th century AD. King Rama I brought it from Vientiane , and it is considered to be the most important Buddha image in the country.
Model of Angkor Wat: King Rama IV had this built by Phra Samphopphai when Cambodia was under Siamese control. The model was recreated in plaster at the behest of King Rama V to celebrate the first centenary of the Royal city.
Prasat Phra Thepidon: This four-square prang originally called "Puttaprang Prasat" was built in the reign of King Rama IV. Inside are statues of Kings Rama I-King Rama VIII, to which the public pay their respects on Chakri Day, April 6, every year.
Mondop:This structure stands behind Prasat Phra Thepidon, and was built in the reign of King Rama I. Inside is a cabinet holding the Buddhist scriptures beautifully decorated in mother-of-pearl.
Balcony: This can be compared to the temple wall. The murals inside tell the Ramayana story in its entirety. On the columns of the balcony are stone inscriptions of the verses describing the murals.
Phra Sri Ratana Chedi: Built in the style of Wat Sri Sanphet in Ayutthaya , this chedi is to the west of the Monhop. Inside is a small chedi with relics of the Lord Buddha.
Phra Atsada Maha Chedi: This group of eight chedis stands in front of the temple. It was built in the reign of King Rama I and dedicated to the heavens. Six of the group are outside the balcony, two are inside. Each has its own name.
Yaksa Tavarnbal (Gate-keeping Giants): Six pairs of mythical ogres stand at each gate of the Balcony. These are the main Giants of the Ramayana.
Hor Phra Khanthan-rat: Standing in the estern corner of the balcony, this is where the Phra Puttakhanthan-rat figure is enshrined. It presides over the Royal rain-making ceremony and the ceremony of the first rice planting. Inside are paintings by the mural artist Khrua In Khong.
Hor Phra Ratcha Karamanusorn: Inside this structure are 34 Buddha images in various positions, built by command of King Rama III and dedicated the kings of Ayutthaya and Thonburi.
Hor Phra Ratcha Pongsanusorn: Built in the reign of King Rama IV, this is the location of the Buddha image of the reigning King of the Rattanakosin Era. Inside are murals of Royal chronicles of Ayutthaya by Khrua In Khong.
Hor Phra Nak: Situated behind the temple, this traditional Thai building roofed with glazed tiles contains the ashes of the Royal family.
Address:Na Phralan RoadPhra Borommaharatchawang Sub-District Phra Nakhon District Bangkok 10200
Tel: (662) 222-8181: 3801 3890 222-2208 623-5500: 3100
Bus: 1 3 6 9 15 19 25 30 32 33 39 43 44 47 53 59 60 64 65 70 80 82 91 123 201 203Air-con Bus: 1 8 25 506 507 512 Sai 38 39 44
Pier: Chao Phraya Express Boat: Tha Chang Pier
Opening Hour:Daily 8 am-4 pmAdmission Fee: Foreigner 200 Bht
Activity-Festival:Sun: Sermon 1 pm Buddist Holy Day: Sermon 9 am 1 amGuide: 10 am 2 pm Personal Audio Guide (PAG): German English French Japanese Mandarin Russian Spain Thai
Admission Fee:100 Bht/2 hours Passport/Credit card Tel: (662) 222-2208
Coffee Shop:Sala AtthawichanRestaurant:Sala Atthawicthan
Prohibited:Taking photo inside the ubosotMan: Shorts Pants Slippers Woman: Undershirt Singlet Shorts SandalsParking:Ratchavoradit Pier Snam Luang Wat Mahathat
credit: http://www.tripsthailand.com/places_p_wpk_ent.php
SamsungPN50B650PlasmaHDTV
Product Description
Samsung is new PN50B650 plasma flat panel HDTV exemplifies the design and performance refinements for those with discerning tastes and a passion for innovation. Picture your favorite room filled with 50 inches of 1080p Full HD picture performance artistically accented in a new Touch of ColorTM design. Samsung¿s 6 Series E-Panel technology delivers improvements with our Ultra FiterBrightTM technology that further reduces glare in brighter rooms and our advanced Crystal Full HD Engine expands the picture viewing experience with less power consumption. The new Medi@2.0 connectivity package offers customizable online content via user-friendly ¿widgets,¿ networking capability via the DLNA standard, and playback of your camera and camcorder via USB 2.0. Add 4 advanced HDMI inputs that feature Samsung¿s Anynet+ (CEC standard) technology making system control of compatible A/V devices like a Blu-ray player or HTIB system a one-touch operation. Experience Full 1080p performance and advanced connectivity on Samsung¿s new B650 series plasma HDTVs that are designed to meet higher pride of ownership expectations and lower the cost of ownership.
credit: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-PN50B650-50-Inch-1080p-Plasma/dp/B001W6NU9E
Samsung is new PN50B650 plasma flat panel HDTV exemplifies the design and performance refinements for those with discerning tastes and a passion for innovation. Picture your favorite room filled with 50 inches of 1080p Full HD picture performance artistically accented in a new Touch of ColorTM design. Samsung¿s 6 Series E-Panel technology delivers improvements with our Ultra FiterBrightTM technology that further reduces glare in brighter rooms and our advanced Crystal Full HD Engine expands the picture viewing experience with less power consumption. The new Medi@2.0 connectivity package offers customizable online content via user-friendly ¿widgets,¿ networking capability via the DLNA standard, and playback of your camera and camcorder via USB 2.0. Add 4 advanced HDMI inputs that feature Samsung¿s Anynet+ (CEC standard) technology making system control of compatible A/V devices like a Blu-ray player or HTIB system a one-touch operation. Experience Full 1080p performance and advanced connectivity on Samsung¿s new B650 series plasma HDTVs that are designed to meet higher pride of ownership expectations and lower the cost of ownership.
credit: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-PN50B650-50-Inch-1080p-Plasma/dp/B001W6NU9E
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