Had Chao Mai National Park, Trang Province

Had Chao Mai National Park in Sikao district, Trang Province
Had Chao Mai National Park covers the area of Pak Meng Beach and nine islands, for example, Meng Island, Pling Island, Cheuk Island, Wan Island, Mok Island, Kradan Island and Chao Mai Island.  the areas is 1,443,800 Rai.  It was created a National Park on October 14, 1981.  It is possible to get there via Trang Sikao road, passing Banna, Muangpet, the Hot Spring.  Chao Mai Beach and Changland Beach.  The distance is about 50kms.  Or one can take the coastal road from Trang town to Pak Meng Beach to get to the National Park Office which is about 7 kms. from there.  The office has a service center, toilets and areas.  Tents are also available for those who would like to spend the night there.  Contact in advance The National Park Division, Department of Forestry, Tel. 075-579-0529 Or Had Chao Mai National Park Amphur Sikao Trang 92000 Tel. 075-210099
credit : Tourism Authority of Thailand
Mook Island and Morakot Cave, Trang
Mook Island and Morakot Cave, Trang Province
Tham Le Khao Koph (Lae Cave)
Trang Vegetarian Festival 2009

Mulberry Paper Umbrella, Chiangmai

Mulberry paper umbrella work group
Baan Tonpoa Sankampeang district is the mulberry paper production source for hundred years that reect the ancient intellectual that they possessed the ability to bring the plant from nature to create value and have unique especially the using of dust that is the alkaline to mix with the mulberry ber to make it sticker, mix wiht Tako water and can use as water resistible, well quality, good design until it can be brought to create other material such as umbrella.  The dominant characteristic of the product is the using of matural materials with good design, durable and water resistance.

credit :  OTOP City 2009

Wat Traimit Temple, The biggest Golden Buddha Image in the World

Wat Traimit Temple, The Golden Buddha image in the world      

Thailand's and the world's prestigious sculpture Phra Buddha Maha Suwan Patimakorn commonly know as the "Gold Buddha Image of Wat Traimit Wittayaram" is the one and only Gold Buddha Image in Thailand that was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Record in 1991 as the worlds' largest Gold Buddha image.  This has made the name of the revered icon know worldwide. It is regarded as an invaluable part of the cultural heritage related to Buddhism and the Thai nation.

Buddha image made from solid gold and weighing about 5.5 tons  

The New Phra Maha Mondop :

a splendid Shrine for Highly Revered Buddha Image.

HM the King on the speical occasion of his 80th Birthday Anniversary
Phra Maha Mondop :  House Phra Buddha Maha Suwannapatimakorn (The Golden Buddha Image) in Wat Traimit Wittayaram, Bangkok.
Open from Mondy to Sunday 8.00 - 17.00
Museum (2nd and 3rd Floor)
Open from Tuesday to Sunday 8.00 - 16.30

photo album : Celebrate The New Pra Maha Mondop during 31 December, 2009 to 1 January, 2010

Phra Mahamondop, Wat Traimit Wittayaram Wora Wihan
The Temple was built around 1832.  It was formerly named Wat Sam Chin (three Chineses Temple).  After three Chinese donors who contributed their properties to build the temple in 1939, it's name was changed to Wat Traimit Witthayaram and become a Royal Temple in 1956.  The Buddha image named Sukhothai Traimit located inside the Wiharn (Hall of Worshop) belongs to Sukhothai period, presumably made during the reign of King Ram Khamhaeng the great (1277-1317) the image was moved from Wat Mahathat in Sukhothai to Wat Chotinaram (Wat Phrayakrai) during the reign of King Rama III.  Then it was shifted to this temple and stored in the pavilion before moved to the present location in 1955.   During its moving the lime covering, of the image was cracked revealing, the guilt Golden Buddha image inside. The entire covering was then removed.

credit :  Phra Mahamondop singed board.

Roses Valentine's Day

Roses have been used ot represent love, cheerfulness and beauty.  On different important occasions, we tend to express our feelings with roses instead of words and therefore, this flower is taken to symbolize love.  This can be illustrated by Matanapatha or the Legend of Roses, a verse drama written in the traditional Chant verse form by King Vajiravudh.  The drama involves a powerful angel who is intensely in love with Matanapatha, who ignores him.  consequently, he harbours a grudge against her and turns her into a rose on earth.  On the full moon night, she will become human and only when she finds true love will she be able to maintain her human form.

credit :  Thai Stamp Bulletin, vol. 2010 Issue Jan-Mar.

Chinese God Hok Lok Siew

The Deities of the Stars

Chinese God

Hok Lok Siew

The Chinese, more than people of other nations, hold a firm belief in the symbolic meaings of objects.  All auspicious objects and their history have meanings.

One auspicious object that is widely known among the Chinese is the Hok Lok Siew, the Deities of the Stars according to Toaist belief.  These Deities stand for happiness, prosperity and power.

Hok symbolizes happiness, achievement and good luck.

Lok is the symbol of prosperity, wealth, fame, rank and progress in work.

Siew is the symbol of good health and long life and is usually used for the sixth cycle birthday celebration or as a birthday wish.

The Hok Lok Siew is thus considered as an auspiciuos object that is used as a gift because it stands for perfection in all aspects of life.

credit :  Thai Stamp Bulletin Vol. 2010