A HAPPY GATHERING OF FUN-LOVING SPIRITS
The Phi Ta Khon festival is unique to the Dan Sai district in Loei Province and reflects the local Isan belief in ghosts and spirits. Held once a year, it is part of a grand merit-making festival known as the "Boon Luang" festival. The origins of the Phi Ta Khon Festival can be found in the tale of Lord Buddha's last great incarnation before attaining Enlightenment. In Buddhist accounts, it is said that when Prince Vessandara, the Buddha's penultimate incarnation, returned to his city, it was such a joyous occasion that the village spirits came forth to join the welcoming parade. This very colourful and vibrant Phi Ta Khon procession is the central focus of the celebrations.
In a lively re-enactment of the tale, the young men of the community dress up
as "spirits" wearing long trailing costumes made from colourful strips of cloth
sewn together. The hideous-looking Phi Ta Khon mask which is made of dried sticky rice husk is painted in bright red, green or other colours, and features the characteristic long pointed nose. This completes the transformation. The clanging sound of the square cowbells worn around the waist announces the presence of the spirits who wield phallic-shaped long-handled swords decorated with red paint. The good-natured, fun-loving spirits mingle among the crowd, teasing and amusing all who take part in the procession. Spectators and visitors are welcome to join in the fun.
There are two types of "spirits" featured in the Phi Ta Khon procession namely the "Phi Ta Khon Yai" -- the supreme Phi Ta Khon, and the "Phi Ta Khon Lek", the ones that are commonly found. The making of the Phi Ta Khon Yai involves the performance of a sacred ritual to seek the blessings of the supreme powers before work on the Phi Ta Khon Yai masks can be initiated. It is also a task reserved exclusively for the descendants of families in which the tradition of making Phi Ta Khon masks has been practised for several generations. The Phi Ta Khon Yai is made of bamboo and is dressed in either male or female attire.
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At present, the cost of getting a medical check-up in Thailand is a fraction of what it costs in more developed countries. Language problems notwithstanding, a number of major Thai hospitals have learned the ropes of the travel business and are marketing themselves to also regular participants at international trade shows, like ITB in Berlin and the Arabian Travel Mart.
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The Drop In plays a more commercial set with a few classics thrown in, and still pulls in big crowds from when it launched way back in 1989, as does the Cactus with a similar policy. The Vinyl Club pumps out hard techno and psy-trance, also putting on pre Full Moon Party parties in Ban Tai, with an Israeli DJ massive keeping it banging.
The Big Boom Bar is a daytime favourite, especially with their volley ball contest a few days before the Full Moon Party. Their commitment to leaning away from trance, by playing progressive to hard house with a fair few anthems thrown in means that resident DJs Simon (UK) and locals Tony and Dai have the beach going ballistic every Full Moon Party.
If you want to rinse it out true DnB stylee, the Orchid headed by resident DJ Kay puts a smile on many a trance-tired face. For a real refuge, head out to the Outback Bar to enjoy superb Thai and European tucker, pool and live sports in a bar that looks as good as the paintings it sells!
Labels: Full moon Party
Bird watching is a popular activity of studying nature. visitors can not only enjoy watching beautiful birds, getting fresh air, and doing some exercises which maintain that person to be healthy, but also recognize and understand the relationship between bird and environment in which can lead visitors to be aware of its value, and to take heed in preserving both bird and environment.
When and where to go watch bird
In varied nature of Thailand, each place has different types of bird. Therefore, visitors traveling to different part of Thailand will find different types of bird as well, and, sometimes, new type of bird especially in migrating season. visitors should select the place for bird watching to suit that season, such as, to go watch bird in high mountain when the birds are migrating in winter in Doi Inthanon National Park and Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, or to go watch bird when the birds are migrating in mangrove area in Sam Roi Yot National Park, for examples. And in the rains, visitors should go to local forest for bird watching, such as, in Khao Yai National Park, Kang Khachan National Park, Khao Luang National Park, and Thale Ban National Park for examples.
Bird Watching EquipmentBird watching is an easy activity. visitors have only some equipment can go to enjoy watching birds in the nature. The main bird watching equipments are.
Preparing
Well preparing will enable visitors to find birds easily. When going out to find birds, visitors should dress in outfit harmonious with nature, not easily observed by birds, and in which visitors can get closer to that bird, such as in brown, gray or brown color outfit. The outfit should be long-sleeves shirt, full-length trouser for protecting visitors from sunlight and prickle. Shoes should be comfort shoes with socks to prevent graze during walking. Moreover, if going bird watching on High Mountain, visitors should bring woolen coat in winter and raincoat in the rains.
Bird Watching Time
Bird watcher should start bird watching in early morning, which birds also start to find something to eat. This time, birds are very active, hardly ever hiding, so visitors can easily find them. When the temperature is hotter, the birds will go to rest in the trees in which visitors hardly find them. Until late afternoon, the birds will go out to find something to eat again. That is a suitable time for bird watching.
How to watch bird
Bird watchers should go in small groups, better about 2-3 persons, that will enable them to easier find birds than in a big group. When finding birds, bird watchers should take particular quiet, not make noise, avoid standing obviously, and watch the birds from hiding places such as behind a tree for example.
Just look for this sign at participating outlets to get a 10-70% discount and get a chance to win 10 tour packages during June 1 - August 31, 2007.