#Koh Samui

#Koh Samui : A New Luxury Destination in Thailand

Koh Samui, also known as Samui, is Thailand's one of the most idyllic islands, located in the Guft of Thailand. Situated about 85 km east of Surat Thani and about 700 km south of Bangkok, Koh Samui is the largest island on the Gulf of Siam and third largest island in Thailand, other two being Phuket and Koh Chang. Sometimes Koh Samui is also referred to sa Coconut Island because of its countless number of coconut palms, harvesting more than two million coconuts per month. Koh Samui's prime attraction is undoubtedly its serene environment blessed with mountainous jungle terrains, luxuriant tropical ferns, swaying coconut palms, long stretch of pristine white sandy beaches, grante boulders, clear blue water, superb waterfalls, and sparking ponds, Hence, it is no wounder why foreigners, particularly from Europe, flock here year - round. One of the most popular among the Koh Samui's attractions is Wua Ta Lap, which has to its credit a stunning cave. Perhaps the most prominent attraction of Koh Samui is Pra Yai or the Big Buddha - a 12 mt high golden statue which is proudly placed at the northern point of the island. This astounding image is visible even from several kilometers away. Located at the southern part of the island, Na Thian numberous species of butterflies. A well-maintained garden, bee house, and a Thai style house are also attached to the garden. There are also some interesting destinations in the area, such as, Hin Ta Hin Yai, which are two renowned granite stones that stand out among numerous other rock formations along the coastline. These two rocks, literally meaning Grandfather and Grandmother are belived to be the origin of the Mui people. Landmarks also include the Samui Aquarium with a variety of tropical fish and marine fauna. Other worth visiting destinations in the area Thale Nai, encircled by mountains; the statue Garden featuring an array of Buddhist and Hindu Statues; and Tham Bua Bok. In addition, Samui is much famed for its incredible beaches such as Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut, and Maenam Beach, each of them providing options to enjoy a range of activities such as fishing, boat chartering, and sailing. Further, Samui boasts of some stunning water falls like Namuang. Koh Samui is home to some of the best diving sites in Thailand, with a range of spectacular islets such as koh Mad Lang, Koh Som, and Koh Taopun. 

However, Koh Samui's enormous range of activities is more than diving and fishing. For instance, Koh Samui provides excellent options for bowing, with more than ten pin bowling. For shooting enthusiast, superb facilities are available to enhance your shooting skills at the Shooting Gallery, consisting of a variety of guns with live ammunition. Some Superb options are also available for adventures in the form of Bungy Jumping in Chaweng. Equally fabulous is Samui's nightlife, with arange of happening beach bars, cabaret bars, rocking, and pubs. If you are looking for something different during your Koh Samui vacation, then spectacle a Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) match or take a Thai cooking lesson under the guidance of some renowned Thai cooks. Likewise, take an elephant trekkinh for a unique experience. A lot number of other choices are also available, such as Treasure Island Adventure Golf Course and a tennis court facility as well as a go kart facility. For weary travelers, a plethora of spa facilities are available to get pampered and relaxed. Majority of the high-end resorts and hotels render a range of massages and herbal treatments. From elegant bungalows and sea view villas to beachfront resorts and world-class hotels, accommodation options are aplenty in Samui. Many of them provide top-class facilities including air-conditioned rooms coupled with en-suite bathrooms, lounge, kitchen, and dining room. Facilities cover barbeque area, baby sitting service, and car rental. Further, majority of the villas and apartments offer maid service, apart from facilities such as superb swimming pools and complimentary airport transfers. Besides, there are also some fantastic options available for budget conscious travelers. Above all, most of them provide some kind of discounts for booking rooms in advance. With these attractions and umpteen options to choose from, Koh Samui is unquestionably luxury destination in Thailand!. (Wolfgang Jaegel)

#The Thai New Year

#Songkran Festival

Songkran is the Thai New Year, a time for the family members to reunite and spend some precious time together. During this time, workers who come from the provinces to work in the capital city of Bangkok metropolis will return home to celebrate. The millions workers will take away with them traffic jam and pollution. Therefore the bustling town will be deserted leaving Bangkok a nice and quiet place to live for a few days.

Songkran Festival falls on April 13th - 15th each year. This year (2008), the auspicious day will be on Sunday - Tuesday. Holidays will start from Saturday 12th to end on Thursday 16th, or a total of five days. There will be celebration throughout the Kingdom.

The term "Songkran" is Thai from the original Sanskrit language which means "Transfer", "Movement", or "Changing position". This is because it is the time the Sun changes it's zodiac position from the twelfth sing of Zodiac Pisces to the first sign of Zodiac Aries, hence a New Solar Year. Although the Thai people officially changed the New Year to January 1 in 1940 to coincide with the Western business world, the traditional Songkran Festival is still celebrated as a national holiday.

The first Songkran day will be on Sunday April 13th, which is "Song kran Long Day" or the passing day of the old year. On this day people will clean their home, their bodies and wear the new cloths. The next day will be Monday April 14th, called "Nao Day" or "Da Day" which means the preparation of various auspicious ceremonies. Food and basic necessities will be prepared on this day to offer to monks and give to friends and relatives on the New Year day. 

The big day will be on Tuesday April 15th, called "Maha (Major) Songkran Day" which means the great important day of New Year. Thai starts New Year day early in the morning with alms offerings to monks, sermon attendance in the temple and spring blessing from the monks. Traditional Thai would do merit by bringing sand to the Wat (Temple) for Making Sand-Chedi (Pagoda) during the Songkran Festival. Today, Thai will simply releases birds and fish in merit making. In the afternoon, after performing a bathing rite for Buddha images and the monks, young people pour scented water into the hands of elders. and parents as a mark of respect. They will also seek the blessing from the elders. Then after, people will cerebrate Songkran by splashing water player fully on each other in "water wars" Everyone gets soaking wet and since it is the hottest season of the year (temperatures can rise to over 100 Degree Falenhigh or 40 Degree Cencious on some days), the custom is quite refreshing. It is also a great fun. Thai people celebrate this festival with water as people believe that water will wash away past sins, consequently, the term "Water Festival". Some choose to follow an old belief that the Nagas or mythical serpents brought on rain by spouting water from the seas. The more they spouted, the more rain there would be. So, one might believe that the Songkran customs of throwing water is actually a rain-making idea. (http://www.xomba.com/)

#Wat Pho

#Wat Pho included in Unesco Programme

Phra Chetupon Temple, more commonly known by Thais as Wat Pho and home of the Reclining Buddha, has been included in the Unesco Memory of the World (MOW) Programme for 2009. The temple was recognised for the historic inscriptions and hermit statues teaching traditional Thai yoga house inside it. The temple's nomination has already been approved by UNESCO committee members in Australia. Official documents affirming this will be sent to Thai authorities on March 31. Wat Pho was built during the Ayutthaya period on the orders of King Rama I and is one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok. It is home to more than one thousand Buddha images, the most famous one being the giant Reclining Buddha, which is also a tourist attraction. (BangkokPost.com)

Inscriptions at Wat Phra Chetuphon or Wat Pho, will be proposed as a Memory of the World?. The proposal will be submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which will consider it in June this year. Educational minister Wichit Srisa-an, in his capacity as Chairman of the National UNESCO Committee, said that Wat Pho is regarded as Thailand's first University and a center for traditional Thai massage, where people can learn techniques of various natural remedies for health. At least 1,000 foreign tourists visit Wat Pho each day. Wat Pho 's inscription contain Buddhist teachings, literary works, and Thai wisdom, especially concerning traditional medicine, which can also be seen from hermit statues showing postures for muscle pain treatment. Thailand deems it appropriate to propose the inscriptions to UNESCO's memory of the world program for the pride of the nation. King Ramkhamhaeng's inscription No.1 in the 13th century was Thailand's first piece to be given Memory of the World status by UNESCO in 2003.

Khunying Maenmas Chavalit, a member of the National Memory of the World Program, stated that these inscriptions are valuable and useful not only for Thailand but also for the whole world. She said that King Rama I, who ruled the Thai Kingdom more than 200 years ago, ordered the preservation of traditional medicine texts passed on from the Ayutthaya period. This knowledge has developed over centuries. The hermit postures, in particular, have been included in today's exercise regimes in Thai health Spas. Exercise with these postures is believed to bring about good physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Traditional Thai massage at Wat Pho is recognized worldwide, largely because it takes a holistic approach to healing. Each year, about 100,000 people attend traditional Thai massage courses provided by this temple. On the walls of Wat Pho, there are a number of 19th century murals diagramming energy points and meridians of the human body.

Popularly referred to by foreigners as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho is recognized as the temple of King Rama I, the first monarch of the Rattanakosin period. It is one of the oldest and largest Buddhist temples in Thailand. Originally built in the reign of King Phetracha, who ruled the Ayutthaya Kingdom from 1688 to 1703, Wat Pho underwent a major renovation during the reign of King Rama I. The walls were inscribed with royal drug remedies. The King also established a royal dispensary there, much like the one in the Ayutthaya period. Later, King Rama III ordered experts in various fields to combine their knowledge, and in words and graphic presentations, it was incribed on stone tablets found in the temple compound. (The Government Public Relations Department)