#Thailand - Public urged to not drink during Royal Cremation period.

The Disease Control Department has urged people to refrain from drinking for the five days of the Royal Cremation period to make merit for His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Doctor Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director general of the department, sent a letter to the government’s Public Relations Department asking them to help get out a message discouraging people from drinking from October 25 to 29.

The letter to the PR department’s director general, Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd, suggested the NBT channel run public service announcements discouraging drinking for the period.

Source - TheNation

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#Thailand - Royal Cremation to feature gun-carriage procession for first time in 67 years.

THE GRAND procession for the Royal Cremation of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej will comprise six separate processions of Royal chariots and palaquins.

It will be the first time in 67 years that the public will witness the meticulous tradition of the third procession of the Royal Gun carriage, or Rajarot Puen Yai. 

The Rajarot Puen Yai is used in the royal cremation of a king or a high-ranking member of the Royal Family who held a military position. It has been used during ceremonies to carry the Royal Urn on three counter-clockwise rounds of the Royal Crematorium.

The use of this chariot was introduced in the reign of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), to replace the traditional use of Phra Yannamas Sam Lam Khan (a palanquin with three poles). In response to the wishes of King Vajiravudh, King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) ordered the use of the Rajarot Puen Yai to carry the Royal Urn for King Vajiravudh around the Royal Crematorium.

Rajarot Puen Yai was used for the last time in the Royal Cremation of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) in 1950. 

The Royal Gun carriage, comprising two carts known as a limber and a caisson, represents that His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was the supreme commander of the country’s armed forces.

The front cart has been newly built, but the back cart is a restoration of the “Mountain 51” gun carriage with the registered number 21863 and the substitution carriage number 21866.

 The Royal Thai Army Ordnance Department in Nakhon Ratchasima undertook the restoration.

The new Royal Gun carriage has been fitted with a third wheel to enhance its strength and ability to balance.

 Decorations in traditional style have been designed by Fine Art Department artist Chanayotin Aupaluck. He says the design derives from original drawings made by Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong for the Rajarot Puen Yai Rang Kwean used in the funeral of King Rama VI.

The motifs have been hand-carved in teak.

“The traditional motifs include the lotus, used to decorate the base, and singha for each post of the base, which will hold the royal urn. Other krajang motifs are used for the wheels and along the carriage,” Chanayotin says.

“The metal construction of the chariot is coloured in dark army green and the carved wood is in an elegant golden shade.” 

The Royal Gun carriage weighs more than 1,000 kilograms, is 1.85 metres high and seven metres long. It will take about 40 men to pull it. 

Source - TheNation

#Thailand - Tourism Authority issues advisory for royal funeral

The Royal Household this week announced that the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha will be closed from October 1 to 29 as preparations are made for the funeral of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Both will reopen on October 30.

The government earlier set the dates for the funeral rites and cremation as October 23 to 29. The Grand Palace will thus be closed for most of October in preparation and there will be some access restrictions to places nearby. 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand points out that foreign visitors can still find many wonderful places to discover in Bangkok, and alternative tours are readily available. 

The royal cremation will take place on October 26, proclaimed a national holiday as a mark of respect for the late King.

Visitors are reminded that this occasion will be a time of great sadness for Thais. The Tourism Authority recommends they behave and dress in a respectful manner – not just in Bangkok, but everywhere in the Kingdom. 

It also notes that banks and some government-related services will be closed on October 26.

Source - TheNation

Free Bangkok transit rides for Royal Cremation period

Free public transport in Bangkok will be provided from October 25-27 to help people coming into, and moving through, the capital to attend the funeral flower-laying sites for the Royal Cremation of HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. 

The BTS Skytrain’s On Nut-Samrong and Wongwian Yai-Ban Wa extensions, the Airport Rail Link, and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRT)’s Purple Line will provide 

free services for the three days, said MRT deputy governor for operations, Anusilp Sirivejchapan.

The MRT Blue Line services and the BTS Skytrain for On Nut-Mo Chit and National Stadium-Wongwian Yai routes would be free only on October 26 when they would remain open until 2am, Anusilp added.

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 From October 25-27, the Bus Rapid Transit services and public boat services at Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem and Khlong Pasicharoen will be free, said Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Deputy Governor Pol Lt-General Chinnatat Meesuk.

There will be a return to black-and-white TV broadcasts and a general toning down of all entertainment from October 23 until the end of the month out of respect for the late King’s funeral ceremonies.

Medical teams and qualified first-aid volunteers will provide assistance to people attending the Royal Cremation at Sanam Luang and the Grand Palace, as well as at designate sites nationwide from October 24 until the end of the cremation ceremony, according to Public Health Minister Dr Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn. 

Dr Sopon Mekthon, permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry, said the Public Health Emergency Response Division had been assigned to open a central public health emergency operation centre (EOC) during the Royal Cremation.

The Department of Medical Services would coordinate with hospitals to provide manpower for medical treatment. Teams would be stationed at 21 main service points in Bangkok and the vicinity and 113 designated sites to collect funeral flowers. At each province during the same period a provincial public health office head would open an EOC to manage medical services provided at each of the designated sites to collect funeral flowers.

The already-running joint operation centre for medical and public health has provided medical and first-aid services to 3.2 million people who visited the Grand Palace to pay respects before the Royal Urn. It will continue services until September 30 before its personnel would 

be moved to work with the EOC in central Bangkok.

Meanwhile, the number of people visiting the Grand Palace to pay their respects in front the Royal Urn yesterday morning reportedly reached the week’s peak of 32,000. Attendance has increased in recent days as the September 30 deadline approaches.

The Royal Household Bureau yesterday reported that 11,065,577 people had paid their respects over the past 324 days and, during the same period, public merit-making donations for the late King totalled Bt820 million.

Source - TheNation

#Thailand - Green season festivities

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The Tourism Authority of Thailand has just published a list of festivals scheduled for August and September.

One of the must-sees is in Phitsanulok in the lower northern region, where the annual Long Boat Racing Tradition returns to the Nan River on September 16 and 17. A fierce competition that takes all the oarsmen’s might, the winners get to take home the royal trophy from His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The race field is categorised in five types based on size of boat. Visitors can also take part in merit-making ceremonies also held on boats. 

Those heading further north can join the unique Akha Swing Tradition, which is held to show gratitude to the goddess Um Sa Yae for ensuring abundant crops. Held in Chinag Rai’s Akha village from early August to the end of September, it offers visitors a chance to appreciate and learn about ethnic traditions and the simple way of life on the hills. 

 
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Over in the northeast region, Ubon Ratchathani is offering the Marvellous Shrimp March, during which ten of thousands of shrimps appear at night in August and September at Kaeng Lamduan in Nam Yuen District.

South of Bangkok golf fans won’t want to miss the Hua Hin Golf Festival 2017 and play nine courses in the seaside towns of Cha Um and Hua Hin for just one price. Meanwhile cyclists should prepare for the 16th International Mountain Bike Competition that will take place on August 26 and 27 at Bhumibol Dam in Tak province. 

 Shoppers can take advantage of special discounts on airfares at the 21st Travel Around Thailand and Around the World fair running from August 10 to 13 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

Find out more by calling 1672 or check out www.TourismThailand.org/thaifest.

Source - TheNation

#Thailand - Royal cremation ceremonies to be broadcast live on all channels.

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All TV channels will broadcast live the royal cremation ceremonies of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in October. 

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Friday that the royal cremation ceremonies on all five days, from October 25-29, will be broadcast live by all channels.

The Cabinet had earlier announced a national holiday on October 26, the cremation day.

Wissanu said the government had no intention to announce more holidays. 

He said it was too early to decide if the government would also declare holidays on October 25 and 27 to enable Thais from other provinces to travel to Bangkok to participate in the ceremonies.
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Source - TheNation
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Thailand - What means Songkran

Songkran means: Thai New Year / Water-Festival / Family Days.

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 Songkran is the occasion for family re-unions, temple visits and annual house cleaning. Many Thais observe the holidays by spending time with families and friends. Traditionally, Thais perform the Rod Nam Dum Hua ritual on the first day of Songkran, which is officially the National Elderly Day.
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During the ritual, young people would pour fragrant water into the elders’ palms as a gesture of humility and to ask for their blessings. The second day of Songkran is officially the National Family Day.
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Families would wake up early and give alms to the monks, then ideally the rest of the day would be spent sharing quality family time together. An important religious ritual on Songkran is ‘Bathing the Buddha image’, in which devout Buddhists pour fragrant water over Buddha statues both at the temple and at home. More religious Thais would engage themselves in Buddhist ceremonies and merit-making activities throughout the holidays.
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Water as Symbolism Contradictory to what you may have witnessed throughout Songkran, fun-loving Thais don’t just throw water at each other for no good reason (besides having a kick out of seeing other people soaking wet).
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The real meaning behind the splashes is to symbolically wash off all misfortunes in the past year, thus welcoming the new year with a fresh new start. Traditionally, Thais would politely pour a bowl of water on members of the family, their close friends and neighbours.
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As Songkran has taken a more festive note, a bowl becomes a bucket, garden hose and water guns, and the spirit of holiday merriment is shared amongst all town residents and tourists alike.
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Songkran in Thailand is officially observed between the 13th and 15th of April (three days national holiday), although in reality, celebrations often last the entire week!

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PS 

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In all the cities in Thailand celebrate people the Songkran.

Especially around the tourist areas and bars.

You see business people foret their jobs and the real world and celebrate with all the locals.

All get wet / very wet.

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 Tip / Warning

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When you walk daily on the streets you get really wet.

Put your belongings, like mobiles in a plastic-bag. 

On the streets you can buy special Songkran-bags.

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ENJOY YOUR SONGKRAN HOLIDAYS.

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