Thailand Forums - Thailand Life and Culture http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/ en-USA Sat, 18 May 2013 13:42:56 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/images/misc/rss.png Thailand Forums - Thailand Life and Culture http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/ Pictures: Royal Ploughing Ceremony: Seers predict good harvest http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43799-Royal-Ploughing-Ceremony-Seers-predict-good-harvest&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 21:44:49 GMT *Seers predict good harvest* Published: 14 May 2013 at 00.00 Newspaper section: News Traditional soothsayers are predicting good harvests and plentiful water for the year ahead after the Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang... Seers predict good harvest

Published: 14 May 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Traditional soothsayers are predicting good harvests and plentiful water for the year ahead after the Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang yesterday.

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People scramble over barriers and rush to pick up sacred rice seeds strewn on the ground. The seeds are believed to bring good luck. PHOTOS BY CHANAT KATANYU


His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn presided over the ceremony, accompanied by Royal Consort HRH Princess Srirasm.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, government officials and a large crowd of onlookers, including many farmers, also attended.

Permanent secretary for agriculture and cooperatives Chawalit Chukhachorn performed as Phraya Raek Na, or Lord of the Ploughing Ceremony. He led two sacred oxen, "Fah" and "Sai", to plough a furrow in the ceremonial ground, located not far from the Grand Palace.

Four women followed behind the oxen carrying gold and silver baskets filled with rice seeds, scattering the grain into the newly ploughed furrow.

Walking alongside the plough were official Brahmans from the Royal Court who chanted and blew conch shells.

The sacred oxen were offered seven bowls containing grass, paddy, maize, sesame seeds, soy beans, water and liquor. The oxen chose to eat maize and grass. The Brahman soothsayers interpreted this to signify a good harvest, abundant food and plentiful water for the year ahead.

The Brahman priests offered the Phraya Raek Na three pieces of folded cloth, each of a different length. The one he selected proved to be four kuebs (about one metre) long.

Based on his selection, water will be plentiful, while crops on higher ground will yield good harvests and those in low-lying areas will be slightly damaged.

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]]> Thailand Life and Culture Khun Don http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43799-Royal-Ploughing-Ceremony-Seers-predict-good-harvest Miss Tiffany winner enters monkhood http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43798-Miss-Tiffany-winner-enters-monkhood&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 14:49:33 GMT Miss Tiffany winner enters monkhood

Published: 13 May 2013 at 15.10
Online news: Local News

The winner of the Miss Tiffany Universe 2009 contest, Sorrawee "Jazz" Nattee, entered the monkhood on Sunday at a temple in the southern province of Songkhla, it was reported on Monday.

According to the family of the transsexual beauty pageant winner, Jazz, 24, had breast implants but never had transgender surgery. The silicon implants had since been removed.

"I want to be a monk for the rest of my life and I'm ready to leave my worldly possessions behind," Jazz said after becoming a monk at Wat Liab in his home province.

"It's not that I've become a monk to run away from problems, but I've studied dharma for two years and now know what it truly is."

The monk, whose ordination name is Phra Maha Viriyo Bhikku, which means one who is diligent, said he took part in the transsexual beauty contest four years ago because his parents urged him to.

He added that he also wanted to enter the monkhood to repay his parents.

The former Miss Tiffany went through the ordination phra phut ceremony last month, the report said.

The abbot of Wat Liab said Jazz did not conceal the fact that he participated in the Miss Tiffany beauty contest.

"Jazz is 100% man, emotionally and physically," the abbot said.

In Thailand, only males can become Buddhist monks.

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]]> Thailand Life and Culture Khun Don http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43798-Miss-Tiffany-winner-enters-monkhood Shackles off on Bang Kwang death row http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43793-Shackles-off-on-Bang-Kwang-death-row&goto=newpost Sun, 12 May 2013 14:03:19 GMT *Shackles off on Bang Kwang death row* Published: 12 May 2013 at 17.23 Online news: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been invited to preside over a ceremony to remove the shackles from convicts on death row at the Bang Kwang... Shackles off on Bang Kwang death row

Published: 12 May 2013 at 17.23
Online news:

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been invited to preside over a ceremony to remove the shackles from convicts on death row at the Bang Kwang Prison in Nonthaburi province on Wednesday, according to Pol Col Suchart Wong-anantachai, director-general of the Corrections Department.

Pol Col Suchart said the ceremony will begin at 4pm to mark a pilot project to remove the shackles from about 500 inmates out of the 800 convicts on death row.

After the ceremony, the prisoners will not be shackled while being in prison. However, they will continued to fettered while being taken to court because the Corrections Department cannot yet acquire a suitable device to control them according an international standards.

Some of the convicts to be unshackled at the ceremony are well-known to the public such as Maj Chalermchai Majchaklam, convicted over the murder of Yasothon governor, Wisit Puengrassamee, a former Forestry Department official, ex-senator Sukhum Cherdchuen, and Pol Lt-Gen Chalor Kerdthes, who was convicted of the murders of members of the Srithanakhan family in connection with the Saudi jewellery theft.

Ukrit Mongkolnavil, chairman of the independent committee on the promotion of the rule of law, and Kanit Na Nakorn, chairman of the independent committee for truth and reconciliation, had earlier proposed that the Corrections Department review the rule requiring inmates to be put in shackles while in detention.

They proposed that shackles be removed from inmates on death row pending their appeals or for convicts nearing their execution.

BANGKOK POST ]]> Thailand Life and Culture Khun Don http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43793-Shackles-off-on-Bang-Kwang-death-row Thais becoming inured to corruption, TDRI says http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43773-Thais-becoming-inured-to-corruption-TDRI-says&goto=newpost Mon, 06 May 2013 13:03:30 GMT *Thais becoming inured to corruption, TDRI says* The Nation May 6, 2013 1:00 am (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thais-becoming-inured-to-corruption-TDRI-says-30205485.html) With bribes hitting 30-50 per cent of project prices, and... Thais becoming inured to corruption, TDRI says
The Nation May 6, 2013 1:00 am


With bribes hitting 30-50 per cent of project prices, and the public showing signs of becoming inured to the practice, corruption has reached a critical point, the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) said.

"Back in 1997, people used to react strongly when it found that bribes were 10-18 per cent [of project]," Deunden Nikomborirak from the TDRI said yesterday.

"Back then, they felt it was a very high percentage," she told a seminar held by Krungthep Turakij TV's "Business Talk" programme.

However, people hardly reacted to recent research that found graft had grown much worse, she said.

Thais might have already got used to corruption by now, she said.

However, she was not losing hope. When the situation becomes too serious, those who are affected would join forces and take action.

"That's how an effective anti-corruption movement developed in Hong Kong," she said.

"People are the only hope because law enforcers are not entirely free from political influence".

People unaffected by corruption should also speak out against it.

"Let's demand righteousness for society," she said.

The seminar on an "Anti-Corruption Strategy by the Private Sector" was aimed at brainstorming ideas and following up on the progress against corruption.

Pramon Sutivong, chairman of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand, said the public had become more aware of the social disease but it would take more time to see tangible results. "We hope that more and more people will join us in preventing corruption," he said.

The network plans to stage an anti-corruption rally on May 19 at Thammasat University to raise the younger generation's awareness of corruption problems.

"We hope people will decide to not work with the corrupt," he said.

The network would also monitor the government's Bt2.2 trillion public infrastructure plan, Bt350 billion water management and flood prevention plan and rice-pledging scheme.

Vorawan Tarapoom, CEO of BBL Asset Management, said that out of 176 countries, Thailand ranked 88th in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index.

"Out of a possible score of 100 for transparency, Thailand had just 37. This is on par with Zambia, Swaziland and Malawi," she said.

In comparison, Singapore got an 87 grade, she said.

The company was planning to persuade organisations to introduce more solid measures against irregularities.

"We may pass a resolution to not support any lending to corrupt companies," she said.

The media should take a more proactive role in cracking down on fraud, she added.

Prateep Tangmatitham, vice president of the Thai Listed Companies Association, told the seminar that anti-corruption efforts in the private sector would succeed if high-level executives had good intentions and laid down good policies.

"For example, they should develop clear rules on the acceptance and scope of gifts. All organisations should also have an independent panel to investigate suspicious cases," he said.

Banyong Pongpanich, CEO of Kiatnakin Bank, said the government should do more outsourcing of services. "Many pay bribes because they want convenience in contacting authorities and receiving services," he said.

A survey showed that 70 per cent of companies have paid bribes in exchange for convenience, and 80 per cent of them said the money was worth it, he said.

"Outsourcing can improve the delivery of services by government agencies. That's why many foreign governments have already used outsourcing. When private enterprises can receive services conveniently, they won't resort to bribe paying," he said.

Instilling the right attitude and proper values would go a long way, so Thais must be taught two things. "They must not cheat and they must not allow themselves to be cheated." ]]> Thailand Life and Culture Khun Don http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43773-Thais-becoming-inured-to-corruption-TDRI-says White elephant caught on camera in Phetchaburi http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43766-White-elephant-caught-on-camera-in-Phetchaburi&goto=newpost Sat, 04 May 2013 12:12:04 GMT *White elephant caught on camera in Phetchaburi* The Nation May 4, 2013 1:00 am (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/White-elephant-caught-on-camera-in-Phetchaburi-30205383.html) Apparent images of a much-sought-after white elephant spotted... White elephant caught on camera in Phetchaburi
The Nation May 4, 2013 1:00 am

Apparent images of a much-sought-after white elephant spotted earlier near Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi have been recorded by cameras set up in the jungle, leaving officials with a decision to make on whether to capture the rare, auspicious animal and place it in custodial care.

A senior government veterinarian, Phattharaphol Manee-on, said recent video and photographs showed the albino elephant visiting a salt lick with a herd comprising five or six other wild elephants near Karang Sam Reservoir. Obtaining evidence of the herd's existence only became possible when media presence in the area was reduced and artificial salt licks were created, Phattharaphol said.

A residence and a goat den that had obstructed the herd's regular path will be relocated to give the elephants greater ease of movement, and more cameras will be installed at the salt-lick site and in nearby areas to improve the chances of photographing the beast, he said.

Chote Trachoo, permanent secretary of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, said more and clearer images were needed to verify that this elephant was actually an albino.

"A conclusion to capture it at this moment would be premature, as this is an important decision the ministry will have to make," he said.

White elephants are commonly regarded as sacred. From the times of the ancient kingdoms through to this day, they are seen as rightfully belonging in the custody of the Thai monarch.

Meanwhile, a draft control measure on the trade of tusks and ivory authored by Thai officials and due to be ratified in an agreement with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species is ready and will be submitted to CITES on May 15.

Signing the agreement will require Thailand, in a three-year time frame, to implement nationwide monitoring of the trade in tusks and ivory within one year, and of possession of domesticated elephants, within six months to one year.

In a related development, ML Pipattanachat Diskul, a veterinarian attached to the Royal Household Bureau, yesterday said it was not the agency's responsibility to decide whether to capture the white elephant. He said the Royal Household Bureau's main responsibility regarding the matter was to examine a white elephant to determine whether it has the distinctive features required.

He also said that it would cost as much as Bt30 million to hold a traditional elephant-capture ceremony. ]]> Thailand Life and Culture Khun Don http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43766-White-elephant-caught-on-camera-in-Phetchaburi <![CDATA["Happy Today", follow up to "When You're Smiling"]]> http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43751-quot-Happy-Today-quot-follow-up-to-quot-When-You-re-Smiling-quot&goto=newpost Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:51:48 GMT If you liked my slideshow "When You're Smiling", I hope you like this new version "Happy Today".
As before, the photos are my own, and I would like to say a big thank you to my featured friends (^____^)
Recommend to watch in 720 HD

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Happy today.....

 ]]> Thailand Life and Culture guava http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43751-quot-Happy-Today-quot-follow-up-to-quot-When-You-re-Smiling-quot Top 10 Most Popular Thai Nicknames http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43719-Top-10-Most-Popular-Thai-Nicknames&goto=newpost Mon, 22 Apr 2013 03:27:50 GMT Image: http://www.richardbarrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/20130419-134943.jpg All Thai people are given a nickname shortly after their birth. This is often used in daily life and in fact, nicknames are used so much that...]]>

All Thai people are given a nickname shortly after their birth. This is often used in daily life and in fact, nicknames are used so much that many people may not know their friends and colleagues real name. I have some Thai friends who I have no idea what their real name is. Though this is probably more to do with them keep changing their name for good luck. Anyway, here is the Top 10 of the most popular Thai nicknames: May, Ploy, Nan, Ice, Bank, Mai, Fah, New, Bon and Beer. ]]> Thailand Life and Culture Richard Barrow http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43719-Top-10-Most-Popular-Thai-Nicknames