Tuesday, July 17, 2007
GRAND CANDLE FESTIVAL AT Ubon Ratchathani
Known as "Khao Phansa", the Buddhist Lent is a time devoted to study and meditation. Buddhist monks remain within the temple grounds and do not venture out for a period of three months starting from the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month (in July) to the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the eleventh lunar month (in October).
As Ubon Ratchathani province prepares for the Buddhist Lent, men folk, ordained as well as laymen, with artistic skills set about the task of moulding and sculpting Lenten candles. As these works of art are to be presented as Buddhist merit-making offerings, the artisans pour their heart and soul into their craft. Many of these are fine examples of Buddhist art and sculpture. The candle festival is unique to Ubon Ratchathani province and the customs and traditions related to this Buddhist festival have been diligently preserved by local communities.
Making Merit
Thai Buddhists engage in merit-making as an expression of respect and gratitude by making offerings to Lord Buddha, venerable monks, past and present kings, and to parents, grandparents and their ancestors.
Making merit relates strongly to the concept of rebirth. The accumulation of merit, or bun, is believed to exert a powerful influence on one's future life and, indeed, rebirths. According to Buddhist teachings, all actions performed in our daily lives affect our field of merit, but none more so than the support of Buddhism itself. When one offers material support to a Buddhist monk — be it alms in the form of food or donations, or voluntary work — one is helping to assure that Buddhist teachings live on. This accumulates merit not only for the giver by helping sustain Buddhism. It also provides the opportunity for future generations to make and accumulate merit. In addition to the monk's morning alms round, the presentation of the Lenten candles is also a merit-making act.
CANDLE EXHIBITION
An exhibition of Lenten Candles at Thung Sri Muang Park featuring crafted candles, moulded candles and ancient candles.
Mandapa-shaped Candles (Mondop)
A mondop or mandapa is a structural form with a square base and a spired or pyramidal roof. Mondop candles are used as a receptacle to hold sacred offerings which are brought to temples during the ‘kathin’ season when monk robes are presented as offerings. Mandapa-shaped candles are used only for worship; they are not lit.
Beeswax Candle Castle (Prasat Pueng)
The beeswax candle castle is one of the elements of Buddhist merit-making rituals. These are also used in ancestor worship rituals to dedicate merit to ancestors. The beeswax ‘castle’ is also sometimes featured in propitiation rituals. However the use of the trunk of a banana tree, parts of which are folded into triangular-shapes, is preferred. Taro, turnip or sweet potato are sometimes carved into the floral shapes and dipped into heated beeswax, left to dry and used to decorate the banana tree.
Cone-Shaped (Poom)
Smaller candles are bonded together to form a cone-shaped structure. They serve a decorative purpose and are used to adorn the main candle. These are then presented as merit-making offerings.
Candles that are tied together (Mat Ruam)
Smaller candles are simply tied together into a bunch before they are presented as merit-making offerings. The cone-shaped poom and mat ruam candles are similar. Both reflect the ingenuity of villagers in creating a variety of ways to adorn their candle offerings.
Read more!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2007
Date : 19/07/2007 To 29/07/2007
Festival venues: Central World, SF World Cinema and Siam Paragon Hall
The Bangkok International Film Festival, now in its fifth year, has been held annually by the Tourism Authority of Thailand since 2003 and is one of the key highlights on Thailand’s annual festivals and event calendar.
Each year, the festival showcases more than a hundred feature and short films, representing some of the best and the brightest in the current international cinema through its various programme sections. The festival focuses on the works by emerging filmmakers throughout Asia, and in particular those of the Southeast Asian region.
The Golden Kinnaree Awards are judged in the three competition categories by a panel of international jury. Running concurrently with the festival are also a number of sidebar events such as panel discussions, workshops, master classes, exhibitions as well as the Bangkok Film Market.
The 2007 event will be the first ever organized by a core of Thai organizers, which include the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Central World, SF Cinema, and the Association of Thai Film Federations.
Official Venues for the Bangkok International Film Festival 2007
At SF World Cinema, 7th floor Central World Shopping Center on July 19-29, 2007
Central World
The new downtown shopping and lifestyle complex of Central World has been designated the official host venue for the 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival. The largest lifestyle-shopping complex in Southeast Asia, the complex also comprises a 550-room, 5-star hotel, and two office buildings. The range of offerings encompasses more than 500 stores, 50 restaurants, 21 cinemas, a bowling hall, 2 department stores: Zen and Isetan, and much more.
Situated right in the heart of one of Bangkok’s prime locations, Central World is on the city’s “shopping street”, Ratchadamri Road, and surrounded by several five-star hotels and office buildings within walking distance.
SF World Cinema
The theatres are situated on the 7th, 8th and 9th floors of the Central World. With an area of 13,500 sq.m, the theatres comprise 15 screens with over 4,000 seats, including a megascreen with 800 seats, first-class theatres with lounges and additional special theatres.
Bangkok Film Market
Royal Paragon Hall on July 23-25, 2007 The Bangkok Film Market, which is trade show for film buyers and sellers, will be held at nearby Siam Paragon Hall during July 23-25.
The 2007 version of the festival, held for the fifth consecutive year, will feature approximately 100 films from around the globe. There will be an increase in emphasis on Asian films to respond to their popularity both in Thailand and abroad. Asian movies regularly screen in theaters in major cities and they have generated large followings in certain genres like horror and romantic comedy. Some have even been made into major Hollywood productions.
The Bangkok Film Market held during the festival is expected to do brisk business in the acquisition of Asian films for theatrical release overseas, with many projects planning to recoup their investment with screening and DVD sales outside their original base. Negotiations are commencing for a number of celebrities and industry individuals to attend the festival.
The Bangkok International Film Festival will also feature several seminars and workshops aimed at educating the public and introducing new developments in movie making, as well as some retrospect on important pioneers and periods of local cinema.
The highlight of the glamour part of the festival is the Kinnaree Award presented to the best film in the festival as selected by a respected panel of international jurors. Two other awards will be the New Voices Award honoring first-time directors and the ASEAN Films Award given to the best film from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Read more!
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
THE KTO JUNIOR CHALLENGE GOLF TOURNAMENT JUST GOT BETTER!-
Kids-Tee-Off, the event organizers, are the designers and wholesalers of the KTO premium brand of apparel and accessories for young golfers aged 5 to 14.
Laguna Phuket Golf Club and the Tourism Authority of Thailand are the Official Partners and Asian Golf Monthly, the media partner.
Laguna Phuket Golf Club, the 18-hole scenic resort course makes for a perfect host venue. It is part of the Laguna Phuket Resort group, featuring five deluxe hotels linked by lagoons and tree lined avenues. The golf course has easy access from each hotel via a complimentary shuttle bus service that can deliver golfers to the course in less than ten minutes.
In addition to providing marketing and communication support through the national tourism organization's local and national offices, the Tourism Authority of Thailand will provide a taste of Thai culture for players and families during the afternoon Welcome Reception on September 4, 2007. Participates will also receive a souvenir booklet all about the island of Phuket.
The inaugural KTO Junior Challenge marks a first for the Singapore-based children’s golf apparel manufacturer Kids-Tee-Off. Some may ask why an apparel company would host a tournament. “Our goal is to support the growth of the game by organizing a tournament to encourage more player participation. This would also enable existing top players a chance to participate in a 54-hole championship, which they might not otherwise be exposed to,” responded Kids-Tee-Off Managing Director, Pamela Wigglesworth. “A fun event also helps in building brand awareness and brand loyalty.”
Mr. Tim Haddon, the Director of Golf at Laguna Phuket Golf Club added, “The advancement of Junior golf is a responsibility of all levels of the golfing industry and we at Laguna Phuket Golf Club feel that Kids-Tee-Off have, with this event, made a commitment to develop golf at the very level where future champions are influenced and nurtured. To have the chance to play competitive golf at the very early stages as a junior can not only give a young golfer a taste of competition but can be the very thing that shapes champions. The KTO Junior Challenge 2007 is a very clear step toward finding the next generation of talented young Asian golfers. Laguna Phuket Golf Club is proud to be the host venue of the KTO Junior Challenge 2007.”
With early morning tee times, players and families will have the afternoon to spend time at the beach or pool, go sightseeing, visit the driving range or go shopping. Optional activities have been arranged by Kids-Tee-Off such as golf clinics, Banyan Tree Spa specials and Thai Cooking classes. Additional information can be found on the website.
Registration forms are available on the tournament website at www.kids-tee-off.com/tour_home.htm. For parents or companies seeking more information about the KTO Junior Challenge please e-mail ktochallenge@kids-tee-off.com.
About Kids-Tee-Off
The designers and wholesalers of the KTO premium brand of apparel and accessories for young golfers aged 5 to 14, Kids-Tee-Off offer a ‘one-stop-shop’ concept for parents looking to outfit their child for the sport of golf. The KTO brand is sold at retail in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and the United States.
Read more!