In Thai language, ทำบุญกระดูกบรรพบุรุษ translates to Make Ancestral Bones. Personally, I would be inclined to call it the ‘Ancestral Bones Ceremony,’ but I’m not going to make any bones about that, lol. Not surprisingly, this somewhat bizarre event took place during a visit to Buriram, as things often do when you’re seemingly bored in Buriram. […]
Continue ReadingThai Life & Culture
Dancing to The Temple
It’s not street dancing as we know it, it’s not dancing in the street as we know it. This is more of a procession, a dancing procession, dancing all the way to the neighborhood temple in Buriram, Northeast Thailand. Among the procession are members of my wife’s family, extended family, and friends, and they are […]
Continue ReadingIs Thailand a Land of Ghosts
Do you believe in ghosts? If you are Thai I’m certain you will answer yes, I believe in ghosts. If you are a Westerner I guess you will most likely dismiss ghosts and belief in the spirit world as pure twaddle. As a Westerner living in Thailand, you will also know that Thai people truly […]
Continue ReadingMotorcycle Exhaust Pipe Burn
At some point in their life, most Thais will sport what is sometimes referred to as “The Thai Tattoo”. It usually takes the form of a 2-3 inch (sometimes much larger) circular or oval shaped, crimson colored patch, usually on the lower inner calf or ankle. The one pictured in the photograph below belongs to […]
Continue ReadingRaising the Chofah
So far as I know the “Yohk Chofah” (Raising the Chofah) ceremony must be performed during the construction of every Buddhist temple in Thailand. Yohk Chofah ceremony is performed when the Chofah is raised to the temple roof and secured to the gable of the roof. What is a Chofah ?, If you have ever […]
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