499 priests to ward off storm surge

bangkokpost.com — A total of 499 Buddhist, Christian, Islamic and Hindu priests and a Buddha statue in the ''Calming the Ocean'' posture will take part in a ritual next Tuesday to keep the province's coastline safe from storm surges. Provincial governor Anuwat Maytheewibulwut said the ''Stop the wind, stop the water'' ceremony will be held at the provincial hall in Muang district. The ancient Buddha statue will be borrowed from Wat Phra Samut Chedi, and its presence will be the highlight of the ceremony. read more...

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Thailand's Teen Castration Ban Splits Doctors, Gay Campaigners

bloomberg.com — Paiboon Marvin started wearing dresses and makeup before he became a teenager. Now 16, he wants to be castrated as the next step toward becoming a woman. Until recently, that wouldn't have been a problem: Boys of any age in Thailand could have their testicles removed for as little as 5,000 Baht ($150) with no questions asked. Now Paiboon may have to wait two years because the procedure will be outlawed for those under 18, after pressure from gay rights activists who say youngsters may follow a trend and regret it later. ``I don't think I'm too young to do it,'' says Paiboon, wearing a green-ribboned top, shorts, mascara and pink lipstick. ``I know I won't change my mind. I've known since I was a kid that I'm not male.'' The business school student has support from doctors who perform more than 1,000 castrations and sex-change operations annually in the Buddhist kingdom, which has one of the world's largest transsexual communities. They argue many minors seeking castration have gender identity disorder and surgery is an essential treatment. read more...

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CULTURE CLUB

nakedfarang.com — Thai people are very tolerant of farangs with our strange customs and cultures. We wander into people’s houses without taking off our shoes or we order individual portions when we go to the restaurant with a group of friends. Sometimes we even eat alone!!! Worse still, some of us wai everyone we see or stroke people on the head. We are, in deed, a strange bunch, but don’t worry because Naked Farang is here to help and guide you through the cultural minefield. read more...

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Nang Yai, Art of Thai Shadow Puppetry

farang.pai-nai.com — ombination of several art forms including designing, carving on cowhide, manual manipulation, music, and literature. Performed in various Royal ceremonies to praise the power and glory of the King, Nang Yai, which mainly related to the monarchy and heroic deeds, often derived from such epics as Maha-Bharata, Ramayana, and Ramakian. Nang Yai performances involve shadow puppets made from tanned cowhide and fashioned into figures of humans, animals, places and other objects. In keeping with the story and narration, puppeteers manipulate the puppets while a pipat musical ensemble plays in the background. Puppeteers work their puppets both from in front and behind a white screen illuminated from behind to reflect shadows onto the screen. read more...

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Kai Lueng Hang Khao: The Royal Fighting Cock

farang.pai-nai.com — Well known among Thai cockfight aficionados, Kai Lueng Hang Khao ไก่เหลืองหางขาว (yellow chicken with a white tail) originates from Krang village in Thailand's northern province of Phitsanulok, where villagers have been breeding this rooster for cockfighting competitions since ancient times. Almost every village festival would feature a cockfight; yet, in the past this type of cock was formerly bred only in the royal palace, until villagers were also allowed to breed them. Its face much like a peafowl, Kai Lueng Hang Khao is as proud as a lion, with puffed out chest and head held high displaying its scarlet crest and wattle; its elegant yellow feathers and long, white tail. Because of its graceful looks, strength and fighting spirit, this rooster is the pride of Phitsanulok Province. read more...

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Traditional Thai Children Games

farang.pai-nai.com — Lullabies and nursery rhymes are full of ridiculous rhyming words and silly wishes which don't make much sense but in actual fact, spell out concern, understanding, happiness and most of all, love. This is universality about the songs, rhymes, games and practices of children the world over. Whether they are games of guessing, counting, hiding, chasing, miming or song and dance games, whether they are played in the open air or inside the house, by the beach or beneath shady trees, they have been and still are an integral part of childhood. Childhood is that which molds us into what we will be in the future. Since prehistoric times, children's games and songs have been passed on from generation to generation. From the moment a child opens his eyes, he learns to imitate adults. The daily chores of the grown-ups are what make up the major part of his play - i.e. he will play cooking, mother and father, hide and seek, or house cleaning in imitation and in expectation of the life ahead of him. read more...

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Thanakha, Myanmar's Tradition of Face Painting

farang.pai-nai.com — We were enjoying a boat trip up Myanmar's Irrawaddy River. I looked at the other foreign women aboard the boat. Some had eyes heavy laden with mascara while others had rouged their cheeks. Some even had their lips painted red. So who was calling the kettle black? Every society from the most "primitive" to the most advanced has their own customs regarding beauty and health, India and Pakistan, for example, practice rnenhdi, the decoration of hands and feet with henna American Indians, Polynesians, ancient Egyptians and African tribal peoples have also used makeup for a variety of purposes. These days however, traditional face painting is in decline, and mostly done for tourist shows and special rituals. Not so in Myanmar. Women with their faces powdered yellow can be seen all over the country. But what is its purpose of this distinctive tradition - is it sun block, you might ask, or is it cosmetic? In fact, it's both. read more...

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The Giant Swing - Thai Heritage Monument

farang.pai-nai.com — The ‘Giant Swing’ has a long standing in Thailand’s history since Bangkok – the city of angels was established as the country Royal capital over 200 years ago.Initially His Majesty King Rama I ordered a construction of a shrine that was believed to house the divine entities according to Hinduism, and at the same occasion to build a ‘Giant Swing’ for the Triyampavai ceremony which held in the 12th month of the year annually since the time of Sukhothai till Ratanakosin era. read more...

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