“Wai”

By: Mr. Nanthapong Sukthawee and Miss Ratinard Chunnirun



Thai Wai is the most attractive respect of Thailand, It has been practicing for many years. It’s the symbol of Thai greeting when young people meet olders, they will do this to respect them. Moreover Thai Wai is used in Buddhism, for example to respect the image of Buddha, to celebrate in the religious ceremony. And neighboring countries, Laos, Cambodia or India have this greeting like this, too. But Thai Wai has a more prominent point with the gentle action to show respect to other people.


How to Wai properly

The most important thing when Wai somebody is that the waier must Wai from their whole hearts. In other words, the waier should sincerely pay respect to the Wai receiver both mentally and physically.
There is more than one Wai like for monks and for the kind and royal family but do not think about that too much. Just relax and a normal Wai will do fine. The higher you have your hands the more respect you show the other person.


How to wai
Thai Wai is easy to do, everybody can do it by pressing your palms together near your chest and bowing
But there are many kinds of Thai Wai, depending on the social status, power, age, and prestige of a person/people who receive the Wai. There are three major groups of people of higher status in the traditional Thai society.
1. Monks/priests/royal family
To wai people in this category, bow one’s head and raise one’s hands until the thumbs touch the forehead.
2. Teachers/parents
To wai these people, do the same for monk, priests and royal family. However, the finger must touch the nose. This is similar to a culture in which people raise their fingers to touch their nose when paying respect to parents and touch their mouths when paying respect to the teacher.
3. Ordinary people/acquaintances with older age.
To wai someone who is older, simply raise the pressed palms to the lips/mouth.
For all these three types, keep your hands and elbows close to the body.




Why Thai wai is important
Try to think if you are greeting with each others, absolutely you don’t want to touch their hand, especially you are a woman doing this to a man. So it’s a good idea to learn how to wai and I can confirm you that if you wai to each others and smile, you will get a good reflection from them and may be you can continue a good relationship, too.


When will you wai to another people.
It depends on the relation to the another person. The person of higher social status will be wai too. You have only a few seconds to size up someone you meet and determine this, but it's the best way to do on the side of wai first if you are unsure. It’s good manner to respect person although you don’t know him or her. It’s proper to wai If someone is older than you, you will wai them unless they are someone whom you employ like housekeeper.You will also wai when you receive a gift from the adults. But you may not wai to anyone who you are paying for service like waiters, tailors, vendors, shopkeepers or taxi drivers. In the party or other such gathering, you should wai everyone, as this is the polite way to excuse yourself from the festivities.

Amphawa floating market

By: Rungnapha Kornsing and Wipawan Sukkratoke



History of Amphawa district
Amphawa is the district of Samutsongkram province of Thailand. There is the main river called Mae klong river in Samutsongkram province and it connects to the Amphawa district. The history of Amuphawa district is longer than two hundred years ago, the people live riverside for a long time and they still live there now. They conserve the river because Mae klong river combines the Thai ways of life and Thai wisdom, so the people who live there still tie with the river.
Amphawa canal is the important center of commerce. The houses were built from the wood and there are many of fireflies here, the people still conserve those houses because that is the identity of Amphawa community or Amphawa floating market. Their houses facing to the river and they still use the boat to travel like in the past. The people cooperate to protect the river, the ecological system

The tourist attraction at Amphawa district
All countries in the world have their identity and Thailand is the same. Thailand has different ways of life from the other counties, so that it becomes tourist destination. Amphawa is one of the famous tourist attractions of Thailand.
The first interesting part of Amphawa is the floating market. This market is near the Cheytiyaram temple. It’s very attractive because it opens only three days a week, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. This market sells tasty local foods, some foods we can’t find other places, for example Amphawa fish maw which is so prominent food. This is the one of allurement of Amphawa floating market.
The second attraction is watching fireflies. If the tourists take the boat in the evening, they will be interested by the fireflies. A lot of them are amazed by watching it because it’s hard to see. In the evening the tourists can see their lights that decorate around the canal. People who live riverside will chat with their friends, their relations and they will have dinner together. This reflects Thai ways of life. Most of tourists is unmistakable to circumnavigate for sightseeing in the evening. They prefer to see this in May-October because the sky’s pitch-dark and then it’s easy to see those beautiful fireflies.

For tourists who prefer to get up early. There’s the original Thai ways of life at the Maeklong riverside, too (for touching with Thai subsistence) there are the monks who come about with an alms-dishes, so the tourists can offer the food into their bowls. Someone will come by canoeing or walking pass to the houses of the people who live riverside. At this canal the tourists always see children swim in the river. This mean that they still tie with the river. Thai people like to go to the temple to make merit and there are many temples along the river. Anyone who want to make merit can go to these temples and there are also old churches that is the important places of Thailand. Tourists can visit by from canoeing. That way, you can feel Thai ways of life.

The last important tourist attraction is the walking market at Amphawa. This market is for visitors to shop for. Moreover, there is Thai souvenirs dessert museum. This museum is the collection of Thai dessert. Tourists can walk around the floating market to buy the Thai food from the locals who row in the canoe and who are on the land all day. In this area, the sightseers can make Thai dessert by yourself. In addition the tourist can go cycling to see gardens like herb gardens and vegetable and we can buy the products from the natural materials.
All of this are the interesting tourist attraction at Amphawa Samutsongkhram province, Thailand. If you like the cultural voyage and see the original lifestyles don’t miss these places if you come to Thailand

I-San folk band(Pong Lang)

By: Athichat and Onnalat


History
Pong Lang is the name of northeastern (I-San) Thailand’s musical instrument. It is shaped like xylophone. It can be played both solo and in a band called “Wong Pong Lang” or Pong Lang band.
Pong Lang has an interesting history. Mr.Plueang Chairasamee , the Pong Lang teacher at Kalasin Dancing Art College and a national artist said that Pong Lang was improved from “Koh Lor” hundreds years ago. Tao Prom Kod and his people migrated from Laos and settled down in I-san. He invented a “Koh Lor” to use for hitting to give his villagers a signal to join a meeting and to inform good or bad things to them.
Actually, the history of Pong Lang is not long. Mr.Plueang had done an important role for developing Koh Lor until it became a great musical instrument called Pong Lang.
In the past, Koh Loh had only six bars stringed on two ropes. Mr.Plueang firstly improved it to be nine bars in 1957, then twelve bars and finally improved to be thirteen bars in 1959, and the thirteen bar Pong Lang are still using so far. It is the most complete and can be played with other kinds instruments both Thai and Western.




Musical instruments of I-san folk band
1. PONG-LANG : how to play Pong lang is similar to playing the xylophone. The body of Pong lang done by bringing timber or cylindrical timber adjacent to parcels and use the bat hit to make sound. Kind of this instrument found in I-san.
(Source: www.culture.go.th/research/musical/html/music…)

2. PHIN : Phin is a type of I-san lute. The body of phin look like a pearshaped and having flets on the neck and over which two-three metal strings run. Pluck by picking of the right hand while playing (Source: www.culture.go.th/research/musical/html/music…)

Source: www.oknation.net/.../2008/11/28/entry-2
3.Khane: Khene is a musical instrument that use mouth to blow for make sound. To blow Khane , a player has to hold the handle that are on the center called “Thao Khane”, and use his/her fingers to open and close on holes above the handle to play various tones.

Source: www.trsc.ac.th/web_load_st/std/kan1.html
4. WODE: Wode is a kind of vertical flute, made of 6-9 various pieces of small bamboo pipes bunched together. In order to, a player has to rotate it to make different tones. (Source:www.culture.go.th/research/musical/html/music…)

Source: gotoknow.org/blog/munmangesan/252243
5.Klong Hang (The long-body drum) or popular name called “Klong Yao”. The body of the drum is made from jackfruit wood because it is not very heavy and has some beautiful colors, and the drumhead is made from young cow skins because it is thin and well-flexible.

Source: www.esan-music.com/shop/index.php/กลอ ...
6.Phin Hai or Hai Song a set of earthenware jars with rubber bands stretched over the open mouths. In the past, this instrument was used as bass, but now it is not necessary because the modern electric guitar bass has already substitute it. The women who play this instrument is called “Nang Hai”. She is a very talented woman dancing and playing at the same time.

Source: krupeak.igetweb.com/index.php?mo=3&art=219417
7.Chab-Lek and Chab-Yai Cymbal is a kind of metal percussion. It is composed of 2 types, “small cymbals” and “large plaster”. Smear small size measured through the center approximately 12 -14 cm. The large size is measured gloss over. Center is about 24 -26 cm. Chab is played by clashing against each other to make the rhythmic sound, when the two cymbals together side effects when they hit the splice of sound "Chab." If the hit-and-open sound will be heard is "Chaeng."

Source: www.cmw.ac.th/.../Art/teerapon001/sec4.html\

Pong Lang band’s performance
Pong Lang performance are always seen in any important events among I-San people like a house-warming party, wedding ceremony, Boon Bang Fai (The event taken place on the 6th lunar month) and so on. The performance is interesting, Pong Lang is played with other instruments, the amusing rhythm gets along very well with a traditional dancing. The shows and songs are well-expressing I-San people’s wisdom and way of life. At the present time, Pong Lang is supporting as an extra-course activity in school or in situation of higher education, particular in I-San (Northeast), where Pong Lang was invented. The main purpose is to conserve the local arts and culture. Therefore, we are able to see the performance in school or university as well.
Khon Kaen University is one of the universities in I-San. Cultural conservation is also one of the university’s policies. For this reason, Pong Lang is an important activity for student. There is a specific club for Pong Lang in campus. In any important activities, we are able to see the performance showing by students, for example, Loy Kratong Festival, Orientation ceremony and freshmen welcoming ceremony.
Music style
The background of I-san people is living in drought areas and do framing. I-san people’s life quality is quite low, they are poor. However, I-san people tried to find ways to forget their troubles and poverty. Music is a good way to help them. Therefore, I-san music is amusing. In this way, although I-san people is poor, they have happy lives. According to this background can infer that the music style of Pong Lang is in the same way.

Pong Lang in modern time
We all know that now the world is in the age of globalization, everything must be international. Pong Lang is also in the same way, it was applied to be played western music, so it can be played more styles like pop and rock, not only local songs. Although it changes a lot, it is still charming and sustain its identification as an I-san local music.
Pong Lang Sa-On is a very famous modern Pong Lang in Thailand now. They not only perform local arts or play only local songs, but they also have comedy show and play songs originally from their album. Their performance is fabulous, both Thai and foreigners are fond of it.
Although Pong Lang is supported as an extra activity in school or university, at the same time it became a conservative national art, people are rarely interested in it. On behalf of an I-san people, I would like every I-san friends to pay attention on this good performance and conserve it to be in our society forever.

Loy Kra Thong Festival

Loy Kra Thong Festival

November full moon shine, Loy kra thong Loy kra thong
And the water is high In the gold river and the Klong
Loy Loy Krathong , Loy Loy Krathong, Loykrathong is here
And everybody’s full of cheer
We’re together at the Klong, Each one floats his Krathong
in the river and we pray , We can see a better day
(Loy Kra Thong’s song - English Translation)

Loy Kra Thong Festival is the one of the most beautiful festivals that takes place in Thailand. Many foreigners are interested in this festival because it’s very typical. There are many interesting things to do in Loi Kra Tong Festival.

History of Loy Kra Thong
Loy Kra Thong Festival Day is an important festival of Thailand has come a long history. Thailand's Loy Kra Thong Festival is a tradition that succeeds for a long time.
It’s celebrated annually on the Full-Moon Day in November of the Twelfth Lunar Month. In fact, the festival is of Brahmin origin in which people offer thanks to the Goddess of the water. Some believe that the evidence is itself worship Buddha at river. And some evidence that they worship a Buddhist saint.
For Thailand, Loy Kra Thong Festival tradition that was believed to have been started the Sukhothai. In the reign of the king Ramkhamhaeng. And then Kra Thong was first created by Tao Sri Chulalak (Queen Nang Noppamas) in Sukothai. That's a sign indicating that Loy Kra Thong is on its way. In Thai Loy means to float and Kra Thong means a circular floating object with decoration of banana leaves, flowers, a candle and incense sticks.

Importance and purpose
Loy Kra Thong Festival day is another one that is important and valuable for Thailand. There are many purposes for Loy Kra Thong festival ,for example; many Thai people believe that Loy Kra Thong is to apologize and thank for the Goddess of Water (Pra Mae Khong Kha river) and bring good luck, and they do it to honor, also refers to flying away misfortune and bad things in the past, and also to conserve Thai tradition culture too.
Activities during Loy Kra Thong Festival Day
There are may activities on the Loy Kra Thong Festival has many activities, such as, contests of Kra Thong-making and Nang Noppamas beauty pageants, local games, performances, fireworks, and a beautiful parade. Moreover, this festival is good for strengthening relationship in family and friends bringing people in the community together.
How to make Kra Thong and Materials
Materials for making Kra Thong are banana leaves, pin or small nails, banana stalk, petals ,some flowers, a candle and incense sticks.
Let’s start making Kra Thong ;
1. Cut banana leaves to approx. 1.5” wide and 6” long
2. Fold 3 petals according the illustrated picture
3. Arranged as terraced lines according to the illustrated picture as count as 1 level.
4. Attach around the Kra Thong base which is the sliced banana stalk of approx. 1.5-2” thick. The number of petals shall be more or less depending on the size of its base
5. Decorate with flowers, joss sticks and candle.
Folding of petal in this pattern can be used jointly with other folding patterns in the same piece as desirable or individual idea. (Reference ;http://gotoknow.org/blog/eng0001/305956)

When you already have your Kra Thong ,you can bring your Kra Thong float at the river or on the water. In present Kra Thong comes in many types of materials, such as from bread, cassava, foam, paper, and so on. In the past, people liked to make Kra Thong from banana tree. Now we have to save the world, we can make Kra Thong from natural material that do not damage the environment.

Special Loi Kra Thong Festival in the North of Thailand
Yi Peng festival is a special Loi Kra Thong Festival in the North of Thailand especially in Chiang-mai. province. There is Khom Loy or floating lanterns into sky.There it is the traditional belief that misfortune and bad luck will fly away with the floating lanterns.
On the night of Loy Kra Thong Festival it is a romantic and happy night, Loy Kra Thong’s song is played every place. We leave bad things in the last year to the river and start our life in the New Year which should be better than last year. Everybody has fun when the moonlight sparks on the nighttime sky throws on the water mirror reflects the shadow moon.
It’s a beautiful and wonderful night

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Isan Food

Isan is one of five areas of Thailand, central, east, north, south and northeast which is known as Isan. Isan food is related to Isan cultures and life style. The life style of the people who live in Isan is very simple and easy just like the way they cook. Isan people can eat almost everything; they adapt to their nature and eat what they can get. So, Isan dishes are unique and completely different from others. Most Isan dishes are mainly vegetables, but they also have some fish, beef and pork. There is a different way for every family the way they cook the food, it all depends on how they like their food, for example, some people like it a bit sweet and others like it salted. Normally, Isan dishes are hot, salted, and sour. Isan people don’t use much oil and coconut milk, so the food is cooked by grilling, boiling, or steaming so the food is really healthy and it is a good choice for people that care of their health.

Ingredients

Pickle fish or Pla ra or Pla Dak in Isan is the main ingredient of Isan dishes. We can say that it is a heart of Isan food. It was created over 4,000 years in Isan. Normally Isan people don’t buy it, but they make it themselves by the fresh water fish the catch. The fish must be cleaned and cut into pieces. Then they put some salt, roasted rice (kao-kua) and rice bran (รำข้าว) together. And finally they put it in the jar covered with wooden lid to pickle it for more than three months to a year. Pickle fish or Pla Ra is often used in papaya salad, soup or chili paste to give the salted taste and special smell.

Roasted rice powder or Kao Kua is also often used in Isan dishes. It is roasted sticky rice powder. Isan people roast sticky rice in a pan until the rice turn yellow, then pound in a mortar. Roasted rice or Kao Kua can be used in many dishes such as minced meat salad or bamboo shoot curry to give the good smell or make the soup thicker. Isan people only make as much as they need for each meal because if they keep it for a long time the good smell will go away.

Chili powder is made by dry chili. Mostly Isan people use dry bird-chili and parch in a pan until it become crispy and give the good smell, then pound in a mortar. Isan people use it in almost every dish for the hot taste.

Vegetables are the main food in Isan. Every meal contain with them. Each vegetables give different taste and smell, some are sour, some are sweet and some are bitter. Some vegetables need to be cooked before eating but some people just eat it straight away. Isan people love to eat fresh vegetables so they just crop them as much as they want in one meal. The well known Isan vegetables are bamboo shoot, Pak Tew, Pak Wan and Pak Mek.

Isan is the driest part of Thailand, so Isan people in some areas can’t grow vegetables the whole year. So, they have to find anything in their nature to eat such as wild mushroom, wild vegetables, bugs or even wild animals. Finding food in the nature is a big part of Isan culture. The way of finding food is passed down by generations.

Isan cooking

There are many ways to cook Isan food. Isan people are cooking creators.

Laab: made by minced pork, fish, beef, ant’s egg or chicken flavor with pickle fish, roasted rice powder, lime juice, onion spring, coriander and shallot. Laab is normally eaten with vegetables.

Koy: grilled meat salad with local vegetables. It is made by pork, fish, beef, or chicken.

Sa: grilled pork salad with raw banana flower and glass noodle.

Mok: made from fish, frog, chicken or bug together with sweet basil, lemon grass and dill in banana leave, cooked by steaming.

Aom: a kind of Isan curry. Made by lots of vegetables and meat such as fish, crab, chicken, pork, frog or beef with pickle fish and roasted rice.

Aor: made by small fish, shrimp or ant’s egg with lime leave, onion spring, sweet basil and lemon grass. Cooked in a pot with a little bit of water.

Tam or Som Tam: a kind of salad mixed in a mortar and pestle. Made by raw papaya, string bean, tomato and flavor with chili, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, pickle fish and sugar. There are many variations of Som Tam, some areas add pickle vegetable, pickle crab, rice noodle, peanut or dry shrimp.

Serving

Isan people usually eat sticky rice or Kao Niao with food by their hands. They have to make a small ball and dip it into the food to eat.

We would like to show how to cook Som Tam, the very popular Isan food. Here is a recipe sorted from http://www.squidoo.com

Thai green Papaya Salad (Som Tom)

Ingredients

2 cups green papaya peeled and shredded 4 cloves garlic

1-2 birds-chilies

1/2cup long been or green bean, cut into ½ to 1 inch lengths.

2 tbsp dried shrimp, rinsed and dried

1-2 tbsp Thai fish sauce

1 tbsp lime juice

1 tbsp tamarind water/juice

1tbsp palm sugar

1-2 cherry tomatoes, quartered

2 tbsp crushed roasted peanuts

Peel the papaya and rinse under running water, remove the seeds and shred the flesh with a grater and set aside. In the mortar and pestle add the garlic, chilies and beans, pound for just a minute. Then add the papaya, dried shrimp, fish sauce, lime juice, palm sugar, tamarind water and tomatoes. Gently pound using a large spoon to mix as you pound until the palm sugar has melted. Put the ingredients on a serving plate then add the roasted peanuts on the top. Serve with cabbage wedges and sliced cucumber on the side.

Note: You can leave out the papaya and combine everything else and use as a salad dressing over fresh cucumber and onions (onions optional).

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