11 Jun 2010 – Ayutthaya Historical Park

Ayutthaya, full name Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya/พระนครศรีอยุธยา app 80km N of BKK. The city was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong, who went there to escape an outbreak of  smallpox and proclaimed it the capital of his kingdom. It is est that Ayutthaya by 1600CE had a pop of app 300,000, with the pop perhaps reaching 1mil app 1700CE, making it one of the world’s largest cities then. Note BE/Buddhist Era & CE/Common Era, too complicated for me!

In 1767 the city was destroyed by the Burmese army, resulting in the collapse of the kingdom. The ruins of the old city now form the Ayutthaya Historical Park, which is recognized internationally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. Note chedi/stuple-pointed top and prang-rounded top.

Wat Phra Ram/วัดพระราม might have been built app 1912BE/1369AD. It has been restored a few times in the subsequent centuries, during the reign of King Borom Trailokanath, and later by King Borom Kot in 2284BE. The temple compound houses a large prang and many chedis.

Wat Lokkayasutharam/วัดโลกยสุธาราม, has a mysterious past, whereby its origins are unknown. The temple enshrines a large Reclining Buddha Image which was built during The Early Period of the Ayutthaya Region.

Wat MahaThat/วัดมหาธาตุ/Temple of the Great Relics is believed to be built during the 1400sAD. The well known image of the Head of the Buddha, with tree branches growing around it.

Wat Kudi Dao/วัดกุฎีดาว is a very extensive ruin with a number of architectural structures. Its highlights are a massive Ceylon-style chedi, which is broken in pieces around the courtyard and colonnades of enormous pillars with their lotus shaped capitals still intact.

Wat Yai ChaiMongKhon/วัดใหญ่ชัยมงคล พระนครศรีอยุธยา built in 1357 and restored in 1982, a large chedi/stuple surrounded by 4 walls lined with Buddha images.

Delicious fresh river prawns dinner**** by the river en route back to BKK.

For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one – Kahlil Gibran

10 Jun 2010 – Jim Thompson

Headlines in 1967: Mystery of missing Thai Silk King – American businessman and founder of the modern Thai silk industry, James HW Thompson disappeared while supposedly on a stroll in the jungle-clad Cameron Highlands/Malaysia.

Jim Thompson born 1906 was the youngest of 5 children. Jim’s father, a wealthy Delaware business man was involved in the textile industry. Jim was educated at Princeton U. During the 1930s, he led an active social life and was politically active. His increasingly liberal politics alienated him from his wealthy Republican family. By 1940 he had sought escape from them by military service. After WWII, he took charge of the BKK’s Office of Strategic Services/OSS office (USA intelligence agency formed during WW II).

Leaving the US Army in 1946, he returned home to bring his wife back to Thailand. She did not agree to this and divorced him. Thompson returned to BKK, embarking on a renovation of the Oriental Hotel with a number of partners. From here he worked with a number of Thai investors to open a Thai Silk Company, in 1947. A civilian once more, Thompson devoted himself to revitalizing a cottage industry of hand-woven silk, which had for centuries been a household craft in Thailand but was dying out.

Besides inventing the bright jewel tones and dramatic color combinations nowadays associated with Thai silk, he raised thousands of Thailand’s poorest people out of poverty, making millionaires out of his core group of weavers by giving them shares of the Thai Silk Company.

In 1958 he began what was to be the pinnacle of his architectural achievement, a new home to showcase his art collection. Formed from parts of six antique Thai houses, his home sits on a canal across from Bangkrua, where his weavers were then located. Most of the 19th century houses were dismantled and moved from Ayutthaya, but the largest – a weaver’s house now the living room, came from Bangkrua. The Jim Thompson House is now a museum open to the public.

Thompson went to the Cameron Highlands Fri 24 Mar 1967 and stayed with friends at the Moonlight Cottage. On Easter Sun 26 Mar, he attended morning services at All Souls’ Church. Later that same day, at app 1530hrs, he went for a walk but failed to ever return or to be seen again.

Thompson Bar & Restaurant/หิ้วท้องชวนกิน***

Secret’s in the sauce – from the movie Fried Green Tomatoes

9 Jun 2010 – Happy 1st Bday grand-daughter Sophie

Yesterday I rode on a motorbike, tuk-tuk, subway, boat, taxi and car. Heard 3 different birds calling, ah ah ah… wah wah wah… kah kah kah…. ah wah kah, is that a Thai name or what? No kidding, these were the sounds from 3 different birds within 10mins during a walk in the Vimanmek Mansion gardens.

Wat Arun/วัดอรุณ, Temple of the Dawn is on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The full name of the temple is Wat Arunratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan/วัดอรุณราชวรารามราชวรมหาวิหาร

Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhlaram Ratchaworamahawihan/วัดพระเชตุพนวิมลมังคลารามราชวรมหาวิหาร, or the former name Wat Pho/วัดโพธิ์, also known as The Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Its official full name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn/วัดพระเชตุพนวิมลมังคลาราม ราชวรมหาวิหาร. With such long and difficult names, it will not be easy to say them… not to even mention remembering them 🙂 But the melody and these text kept coming to my mind the past few days!

If religion was a thing that money can buy, the rich would live and the poor will die – Bahamian lullaby

The Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall/พระที่นั่งอนันตสมาคม is a former reception hall within Dusit Palace. It is now a museum and inside is a beautiful central dome, under which the Royal Throne sits. Lining it and each of the six other domes’ walls are frescoes painted by Galileo Chini. The hall on the upper floor is embellished with embossed roman and floral patterns showing Renaissance and Baroque arts.

The Vimanmek Mansion/วิมานเมฆ is a former royal palace located on Ratchawithi Road behind the National Assembly. The world’s largest building made entirely of golden teak, removed from Ko Sichang in Chonburi province, it was rebuilt in the Dusit Palace in 1900 and was recently renovated by HM Queen Sirikit and made into a museum paying homage to the late King.

Road side eatery Mouhun HongKong*** for suckling-pig, scallops, fish, veggie and rice dinner.

Sirocco alfresco roof-top bar restaurant is located in BKK’s second tallest building. The Dome at State Tower on 63rd floor offers one of the most memorable hair-raising experience especially after the lightning passed by. The result, interesting static hair-do! Even the best hair dresser is unable to give such a natural punk hair style. And we had complimentary strawberries with our champagne… cheers to Sophie’s bday!

8 Jun 2010 – The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace/พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang is a complex of buildings and served as the official residence from the 18th century onwards. Construction of the Palace began in 1782, during the reign of King Rama I, when he moved the capital across the river from Thonburi to Bangkok. The Palace has been constantly expanded and many additional structures were added over time. In an area of 218,000sqm surrounded by 4 walls 1,900m in length, the grounds houses the royal residence, throne halls, government offices and the renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

It was overwhelming to see so many ornate, gold and gold-plated objects within an afternoon. The irony of it all is that Buddha ran away from all these to live a simple life and now in his grave, where he has no control, he is dressed with materials of wealth and housed in all the glided grandeur! The other irony was that across from this grounds, there were some homeless people and one of them was using the water from the public fountain to wash himself. Does that answer as to why groups like the Red Shirt exist?

All that glisters is not gold
Often have you heard that told
Many a man his life hath sold
But my outside to behold
Gilded tombs do worms enfold – Shakespeare

7 Jun 2010 – Siam/Thailand

Thailand, formerly Siam is a kingdom and a constitutional monarchy with their 9th King Bhumibol Adulyadej who has reigned since 1946. The king is officially titled Head of State and the Head of the Armed Forces. With an app area of 512,000sqkm (198,000sqmi) and app 64mill people, the country’s official language is Thai and the primary religion is Buddhism, which is practiced by around 95% of all Thais. Bangkok, the capital is also the country’s center of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. After the 2006 coup d’état and the recent Red Shirt protesters, The Land of Smiles is certainly not so smiley.

Snowy Beer*** seafood restaurant. Thanks for a delicious dinner, Michael & Sharon. Great to meet Eddy again.

Night Flower Market: the selections for the roses are colourful and prices reasonable… a 2 dozen bunch from app 50THB onwards. Orchids are rather limited here but enough for a non-expert orchid person like myself!

Farmers’ Market has the biggest lichees and longans I have ever seen and they tasted as good as they looked. There was a woman making some interesting dessert with a sweet tasting batter in very thin strips fried in a pan and quickly rolled. Quite tasty, especially when fresh. The other desserts look pretty but there was no space in the stomach for tasting!

Chatuchak, the popular weekend market in the north of the city is where many people head for cheap, used and high quality products. In an area of 27 acres, there is app 15,000 booths selling goods from every part of Thailand.

Amphawa Floating Market is located in the province of Samut Songkhram. Amphawa Canal is occupied by vendors who pack their boats with food and drinks during the weekends and this area was packed with people when we arrived in the late afternoon. The evening fireflies boat cruise was relaxing and refreshing (sat in front and got light sprays of water). The twinkle and sparkles of the fireflies never fail to fascinate me where ever they appear.

Elephants have played an important part in Thailand’s history and today the Thai elephant remains as an enduring symbol of Thailand. In bygone eras they were used in warfare, but more recently elephants were used as a beast of burden, particularly in the logging industry. The elephant also has special spiritual significance with its association with Buddhist and Hindu beliefs.

Erawan Museum/พิพิธภัณฑ์ช้างเอราวัณ is in Samut Prakan. It is well-known for its giant three-headed elephant art display. The three storeys inside the elephant contain antiquities and priceless collections of ancient religious objects belonging to Khun Lek Viriyapant who is the museum owner.

Thai Buddhism has incorporated elements of Hindu beliefs and shrines to Hindu gods and deities can be seen throughout Thailand. Amongst these, Ganesh (the Hindu god with an elephant’s head) and Erawan* (the elephant mount of Indra) are particularly common. *(Erawan is the Thai name for Airavata). In Buddhist legend it is believed that Queen Maya, mother of Buddha was only able to conceive after having a dream that a white elephant entered inside her. Thus, white elephant is highly auspicious and enjoys royal status in Thailand.

The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book – David Attenborough

4 Jun 2010 – Sawatdee Kaa/สวัสดี

Mission accomplished and nice to join the HCC group here in CNX before they head to Myanmar and me to BKK. Good to catch up with Kim who arrived from HI to be with the group in Myanmar. Kim was one of the HCC students who was with the 2004 group when I first met her. Mr K, a buffet hot-pot chain is one of the best value meal I have had. For S$10 per person, we had more than our fair of proteins and dessert with a song & dance entertained by the servers & staff!

Piankusol Silk & Cotton Hand Woven: In the silk weaving circles of Chiangmai the Piankusol name has been renowned for a long time. Combining quality and exquisite patterns, they make one of the best Thai silk. Their family has been running the silk weaving business for more than 200 years and they are starting a weaving museum by their workshop.

UM Thai International Co Ltd Thailand: Established in 1995 – Saa/Thai=mulberry paper factory which is located in Bo Sang village, the famous umbrella making village and has the one of the most beautiful designed mulberry paper made into boxes, bags, notebooks, picture-frames, etc.

Siam Celadon is a  stoneware which embodies a traditional wood – ash glaze formula discovered in China more than 20 centuries ago. Potters are believed to have been brought to Siam from China by King Ramkamheng around the year 1300 to settle near Sukothai and Sawankaloke produced especially beautiful pieces for more than 100yrs but were destroyed by invaders from Chiangmai. Siam Celadon Pottery Co Ltd, established in 1978 provides a variety of handcrafted wares all with the unique crackled glaze, so much prized by the ancients.

1 Jun 2010 – And Chiangmai/CNX

Was here in Oct/posting 1 0ct 2009 to source out suppliers for a new company and this is a follow-up trip to start production for the confirmed merchandise. Hopefully everything will work out for the best in spite of the delays due to the unrest situation here in Thailand. At present CNX has lost its tourist crowd but hopefully for their sake, it will return soon as they do need the tourist $$$. For me it is pleasant not to have to fight the crowds, but the heat is overwhelming and intense in the day time. The night breeze helps to cool things down  but the pollution is still bad.

Must admit that I do miss the unlimited internet access as it is my main means of communication. Even as a customer in places like Starbucks, you have to pay by the minutes. The more upscale areas the more you pay! Will upload pictures when I get to BKK in the weekend where there will hopefully be unlimited access to internet.

In the meanwhile, have a good week ahead.

If my memory does not fail me, these are Jun Special Dates! Will update later if my memory is otherwise!

1 Jun – Happy Bday Morten HALD

2 Jun – Happy Bday Kenson KWOK

4 Jun – Happy Bday Erik KORKOWSKI

6 Jun – Happy Bdays Dika LAM & Harry CHAN

9 Jun – Happy Bday Sophie HALL

14 Jun – Happy Bday Anne WONG-HOLLOWAY

15 Jun – Happy Bdays to my father LAM Tin Yue and my children’s grandfather John HALD Sr (both not with us any longer but the two men I have most respect and admiration for). Happy Bday Amy JENSEN

20 Jun – Happy Father’s Day

25 Jun – Happy Bdays John LAM, Clement LAM & HUANG

28 Jun – Happy Bdays Jeff HALL, John WILSON & Adriane HENSON

30 Jun – Happy Bdays LAM JenMun &  Annie KOH-LAM

To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it, and to render it the more fit for its prime function of looking forward – Margaret Fairless Barber