Opening Ceremony for the of Junior Encyclopedia Library.Kalasin

May 20th, 2013 admin

privyThe dedication was attended by H.E. Air Vice Marshal  Kamthon Sindhavananda a member of the Privy Council to the King in Thailand at the  Technological and Commercial college in Kalasin. The Library was donated by the Lion Club of Kalasin, which also had it’s award Ceremony before the library opening. Isaan dancing was demonstrated  in spite of the intermittent downpours  and the crowd hung tough. This is all part of the  THAI JUNIOR ENCYCLOPEDIA PROJECT By Royal Command of H.M. the King. 
It was good to see that the new computer were hooked up to the internet and the students that were volunteered did a fine job of showing the facility at its best. Below is the slideshow of the event both wet and dry and a fine job by everyone.

Wat Tham Phuang, Phu Lek and Buddhist Places of India

May 20th, 2013 admin

During our latest road trip Larry and I went up to Tham Phuang as I wanted to find out if one of the monks I know up there might have any information to help our search fore Seri Thai, Vietnam era or Communist activity in the area. Unfortunatky Ajahn Jitt Jai spent most of his life in Roi Et and had more questions for me about the area. Anyway, I showed Larry around, and around as I got a bit disoriented driving and talking at the same time. On the way down the hill we stopped at a series of replicas of important Indian Buddhist sites. Sarnath is the deer park where Buddha first taught the Dhamma and The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya are along the road. We then stopped at the Phu Lek Headquarters and back down the hill. There are 2 caves in the area to visit, but we were on a mission so moved on>

I think the Tourism Authority of Thailand listed the Indian Buddhist sites some time ago, but for some reason (I guess too many people were interested)dropped it. As a matter of fact looking around it seems everyone has dropped it. The trip to Wat Tham Phuang, the cave, the temple grounds, The Indian Replicas, Phu Lek, and the Wetsandon Monument are well worth the Visit if you are in the area and one of the many places to stop between Udon and Sakon Nakhon.

View 20130508phulek in a larger map

This Week’s More Dhammapada and Ajahn Jayasaro tells us More of the Life Of Ajahn Chah

May 19th, 2013 admin

I think,just as once a week there is an Upposatha Day, once a week it’s a good idea to set aside a post to the Teaching. And a Dhammapada quote and narrative by Ajahn Munindo along with a look at the life of Ajahn Chah by way of Ajahn Jayasaro is the best way I can think of…..
Self-mastery is the supreme victory –
much more to be valued
than winning control over others.
It is a victory that no other being whatsoever
can distort or take away.
v. 104–5

Khrong Chandawong, Communist Party of Thailand,Sawang Daen Din,Sakon Nakhon,Thailand

May 18th, 2013 admin

I have been aware of the 70s and  the Communist Party of Thailand for years. I know both westerners and Thais who experienced the events of that period. I spent time with General Surayud some years ago and am familiar with his and his family’s role in that period. I am also aware that when he became prime Minister he finally made good on some of the government promises from more than 30 years before. The rise and fall of the Communist Party of Thailand tells some of the story. Recently I read about  Khrong Chandawong and Thongphan Suthimat and their execution in  in  Sawang Daendin district of Sakon Nakhonin the article Khrong Chandawong Remembered in New Mandela. So while Larry and I were in town chasing Seri Thai sites

Kud Kwaang Soi Museum And Archeological Site,Khon Kaen,Thailand

May 17th, 2013 admin

Kud Kwaang Soi Museum And Archeological Site is located along road 2146 in Khon Kaennear the  Nong Bua Lam Phu border.
I just love signs like this one. Is there anything really there? Will I , actually find it? and and on and on. A semi- quick chat with the folks at the hardware store confirmed that these places did exist and were just down the respective roads, a bit. As the truck was pointed toward Kud Kwang Soi I headed off in what I hoped was the right direction. At the 1st Tee junction there was a small sign that appeared to have the correct name pointing straight up to the sky. While scratching my head a fella in his 50s cycled up and said to me in perfect English, “Looking for the museum are you”?

Pulp Fiction a Daily Best Seller in Thailand

May 17th, 2013 admin

 In Thailand Pulp Fiction goes under the names Bangkok Post and The Nation> Thailand’s Nearly English Language Dailies Daily regurgitate what the drem weavers in the Thai government tell them or babble on about what they call BREAKING NEWS, when in fact the news is already broken in Thailand. Todays post is not about anything earthshaking ,not about high speed trains,tablets for children, education or healthcare this on is about just a bit more proof that people are just about totally out of touch with all reality. The Nation one of Thailand’s Nearly English Language Dailies ran the story Rocket tradition being spoiled, critics say, without a clue about what has been happening for years. First of all who are the critics? and where have they been for the past,10,15,20,50 years…….

Pottery and History in Isaan,Northeast Thailand

May 16th, 2013 admin

Isaan,Isan, Northeast Thailand, Past and Present

Present in this case being nearly 13 years ago in this paper that was authored by Doctor Boonsom Yodmalee, of The Research Institute of Northeastern Art and Culture at M hasarakham University. I have…Continue reading

Pottery in Isaan Northeast Thailand

Over the years I have visited many of the pottery villages in the region. I got a lot of information from Leedom Lefferts of the Sackler Gallery at the Smithsonian to include a study done by Samruat…Continue reading

Pottery Village Mahasarakham Thailand 04.05.12

Ban Mor or ban maw in Mahasarakham is known as the pottery village. I find many n khon kaen and nong khai much more interesting, but this is the one that tourism authority of thailand promotes in the…Continue reading

Nong Han Chalermphrakiat Park,Sakon Nakhon,Thailand

May 16th, 2013 admin

I am not sure how many times I have driven past this park without stopping, but it must be in the 100s by now. So many of the parks in  Sakon Nakhon seem to have been good ideas that have gone to seed over time so I thought it would just be another one of those. Returning to town with time to spare I finally stopped and  was I surprised! Nong Han (Harn) Chalermphrakiat Park I managed by Kasetsart University in Sakon Nakhon the park is a research center for the study of freshwater plants especially the lotus and it’s many species. Along with the alligator pond is is a popular place to come to relax. Says the sign. Not quite sure why Nong Han suddenl became Nong Harn on a number of signs at the site.

Drivers Education,Sakon Nakhon,Thailand

May 15th, 2013 admin

This 7 kilometer stretch of road into Sakon Nakhon is a dual carriage way with plenty of dangerous  U-turn spots and feeder roads with merges and exits. Thais tend to drive too fast for conditions, I am working on the understatement cf the century award. People jump in and out from the feeder roads, U-turn without checking oncoming traffic and generally pray to the plastic Buddha sitting on the dashboard of their car that some thief in robes blessed, sold them an amulet and go ahead and put the pedal to the medal. These culprits along with the government officials who sell drivers licenses should be charged with negligent homicide at the least.
The person flew past me at about 150kmh a few kilometers back. Lucky she had a child in the car otherwise she might have been driving faster, In Thailand always remember, the darker the windows the worse the driver.

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