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Video about Thai sports Muay Thai (Multi-media)

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Video about Thai sports Muay Thai (Multi-media)

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Real History of Muay Thai Fight Vision | Ancient Thai Boxing | Martial Arts Thailand

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Video about traditional Thai dress - Suea Phraratchathan (Multi-media)

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Video about traditional Thai dress - Suea Phraratchathan (Multi-media)

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Video about traditional Thai myths - Garuda (Multi-media)

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Video about traditional Thai myths - Garuda (Multi-media)

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Garuda  A Taste of Thailand: Thai myth and legend.

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Video about the Thai Festival of Songkran (Multi-media)

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Video about the Thai Festival of Songkran (Multi-media)

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Thailand’s annual Songkran water festival kicks off with a splash in Bangkok

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Caption: Simiso's coach said that Simiso was in very good condition before the game and there was nothing wrong with him. (Illustration/taken from free gallery Pixabay)

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Muay Thai is the traditional martial art called “Thai Boxing.” It is a full-contact combat “sport” dating back to the Sukhothai Kingdom around the 13th century. It evolved out of the hand-to-hand combat martial art called Muay Boran. Today, Muay Thai is not only a popular sport in Thailand, but people from around the world come to Thailand to train.

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Thailand, like many nations, is facing a crisis; the ever-increasing pace of globalization is threatening the traditional Thai culture. It is our duty, as part of the Kaleidoscope Museum Project, to attempt to maintain the centuries-old culture for future generations. We understand that, in many cases, this will fall upon the museums, libraries, etc. to preserve the art, literature, and cultural history. The arts, whether visual, performing, or even culinary, are where tradition can be kept alive. I want to share the beauty and importance of Thailand’s culture. Thailand has a rich and vital culture stretching back to the 6th century in southern China. Driven southwest by persecution and ethnic purges, these people would later form the kingdoms of Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and Siam, which would be renamed Thailand. The Thai people do not refer to themselves as Siamese. They are Thai (free people.) Thailand means “Land of Free People.” As with any historical culture, we must preserve it to prevent it from being destroyed by inevitable globalization. Due to colonial expansion and imperialism of world powers, many cultures have disappeared entirely. We cannot allow this to happen to the “Land of Smiles.”  I will show why it’s important to protect unique cultures, especially as globalization spreads.

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Link to news article: https://www.voanews.com/a/thailand-s-extended-songkran-festival-sees-millions-celebrate/7569611.html

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Thailand’s extended Songkran festival sees millions celebrate

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Thai officials and business owners welcome festivities that increase country’s soft power and boost its economy

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Benjarong is a kind of traditional ceramics project that is best known for its beautiful colors and complex design. The word Benjarong has the meaning of 5 colors in Sanskrit, though Benjarong has more than five colors. Benjarong has the meaning of royalty and aristocracy, and this became the symbol of Thailand’s artistic craftsmanship as time passed.

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Religion Google slide (Multi-media) - (Tiger) 

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Religion Google slide (Multi-media) - (Tiger) 

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Link to google slide:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1giPorc-3iG6I1dykeMdUfEXpVUaYFExu4pG7UNSVC-g/edit#slide=id.p

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Religion Google slide (Multi-media) - (Tiger)

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Religion Google slide (Multi-media) - (Tiger)

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Link to google slide:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1HFjF_WlflTEVq5pPwsEbSeY998gdYdhsYqmHjh_sRUg/edit#slide=id.g323bd9dc8f1_0_30

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Road by the God Vishnu into battle in Hindu cosmology, this half-bird half-man being is now the symbol of Thailand and the Royal family. The image can be seen all over the kingdom. It is also considered in Theravada Buddhism to be the protector of the Buddha. Interestingly, and somewhat contradictory, the Garuda is in constant battle with our other dominant mythos, the Naga.

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Khan Maak is one of the processes in the traditional wedding when the groom and his entourage arrive at the bride's house. They will carry banana leaves, sugar canes, and other traditional gifts that symbolize good luck for newly married couples. Drummers and dancers will lead the parade to announce their arrival to the bride's neighbors.

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One of the most common and most famous of Thai traditional clothing for men is the Suea Phraratchathan which consists of a formal button-up shirt, traditional Chong Kraben “pants” and a Pha Khao Ma belt/sash around the waist (to hold the pants together).

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Sticky rice with mango is a delightful dessert made from coconut milk, sticky rice, and ripe mango. While this treat originated in Thailand, its ingredients—sticky rice and mango—are sourced from different regions, making it a delicious fusion of flavors from various countries.

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Caption: NAAN THAILAND - SEP 26: Unidentified boat team actively in the Naan Boat race on September 26, 2009 in Naan, Thailand. — Photo by toa55

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Kaeng Ruer, a traditional Thai boat racing festival dating back to the Ayutthaya period, celebrates the end of the rainy season with vibrant races featuring hardwood boats and teams of oarsmen honoring guardian spirits.

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Wat Ko - 300 Year Old Mural Paintings - Phetchaburi Thailand

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Caption: The Chiang Mai Songkran Festival at the Nawarat Bridge in 1964. Picture by Boonserm Satrabhaya

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Songkran is the Thai New Year Festival celebrated in mid-April. Due to Westernization, Thailand, like many countries, now marks January 1 as the beginning of the year. Songkran is still considered the traditional New Year and holds special significance for Buddhists. Even with its long history and traditions Songkran has become a huge tourist attraction and is basically a three-day party well known for water fights.

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Thailand's mural culture is often about the drawing of Buddism and scenes from the Buddha's Life. Thai temple murals are not only recorded religious in nature but as serve as a record of Thai culture and history. Many murals depict scenes from Thai daily life, such as fishing, farming, etc.

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Bun Bang Fai Roket Festival - News Article (Multi-media)

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Bun Bang Fai Roket Festival - News Article (Multi-media)

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Link to Bun Bang Fai Roket Festival:

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40038879

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Bung Fai rocket with 120kg of gunpowder slams into Isaan crowd

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Thirty-eight injured, six severely, as huge homemade missile misfires during annual rainmaking festival

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In this increasingly globalized world, unique cultural traditions from different countries are at risk of falling into the overshadowed by the homogenized global culture. The Kaleidoscope Project is used as an approach to protect the world's unique culture. Participants will investigate the unique local culture and display its characteristics to further allow readers to see and protect the local traditional culture. As a contributor to the Kaleidoscope Project, my goal in this project is to introduce and preserve their cultural heritage by studying the traditions of various parts of Thailand, thereby showcasing their local beauty and unique culture to a global audience.

Thailand’s culture is deeply rooted in its religions and history, particularly Buddism, which has influenced multiple fields of culture in Thailand. Throughout its history, Thailand has been ruled by many different dynasties. As the foundation of Thailand gradually took shape, much of the culture at that time was inherited, creating the current Thai culture. However, globalization has created a very serious threat to the culture all over the world. From the traditional street food in Thailand to intricate dances, many of those elements are at risk of being lost if no one is actively preserving them.

In this project, my partner Tiger and I will introduce the rich culture of Thailand, specifically exploring key cultural threads such as art, food, dance, funerals, weddings, and literature. Each of those threads contains its unique feature and meaning to the people who live in Thailand. By focusing on those elements, I aim to show the audience why people around the world should be protecting unique cultural traditions from disappearing or damaged because of globalization.

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Video about traditional Thai myths - Naga (Multi-media)

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Video about traditional Thai myths - Naga (Multi-media)

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Naga A Taste of Thailand: Thai Myth and Legend

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Caption: Sepak takraw competition in the Philippines

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Technically, Sepak Takraw did not originate in Thailand but in Malaysia, but it has become a popular traditional sport throughout Thailand. Sepak is the Mayla word for kick, while Takraw is the Thai word for a woven rattan ball. It is simply volleyball but it’s played almost exclusively with the feet.

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Caption: Legendary Muay Thai champion Coban Lookchaomaesaitong (left)

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Banlu Anwiset, who competed under the professional name Coban Lookchaomaesaitong, is a world-famous Muay Thai fighter. He was born into a farming family near the border with Cambodia and began his Muay Thai journey at the young age of 11. By the late 1970s he was already showing his future stardom in the Muay Thai world. By the time he was 15 he had already fought in over 35 competitive matches.

After 23 years, he finally retired from competitive Muay Thai fighting in 2000. This was not the end for Mr. Anwiset. In a few years he was teaching Muay Thai to a new group of students in New York City and also reopening the original training camp, Camp Lookchaomaesaitong, in Buriram, Thailand. At 58 years old Banlu Anwiset still travels back and forth between New York and Thailand. Over the years he has become a familiar face and spokesperson for Muay Thai internationally.

Praiwan Wannabut, formally known as the monk Phra Maha Paiwan Warawanno, was an influential Thai Buddhist monk who stirred up the nation when he became a podcaster with his fellow monk, Luang Phi Sompong Talbuddhadho. Many conservatives felt their show was mocking Buddhism but the 200,000 fans in the first episode said overwhelmingly that it brought a fresh look to the Dharma, the teaching of Buddhism, and introducing Thai Buddhism to young international fans. Over the years Parry (his nickname) could be seen in TV shows, movies, and interviews about Thai Buddhism. He has recently left the monkshood and is now a full-time comedy actor and LGBTQ activist in Thailand.

Another extraordinary and outspoken person helping preserve all things related to Thai culture is Dr. Yupha Taweewattanakitborvon. She is the influential Permanent Secretary for Culture, Ministry of Culture, and cultural spokesperson internationally for the Kingdom. She has been charged with overseeing the promotion and preservation of traditional Thai culture and takes her job very seriously. She has launched numerous advertising campaigns aimed at educating and promoting Thailand's traditional culture globally. She has also been responsible for a new campaign she calls “soft power” where the government is promoting the education of students in Thailand to preserve traditional arts, crafts, building, fabric, etc. to give a stronger voice on the global market.

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Piphat is a traditional classical music instrument played together as an ensemble. Often wind instruments and percussion instruments are the main instruments to perform. This kind of ensemble will be known as showing the most holy and elegant music project. One can often see it being used in religious and societal ceremonies which have become one of the cultural heritage.

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Caption: Bun Bang Fai: The Rocket Festival 24.042023

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Also known as “Prapheni Bun Bang Fai,” is a celebration mainly in Laos and the Isan region of Thailand to entice the rain gods to give a good planting season. It appears to have its origins in pre-Buddhist fertility festivals. It is considered “good merit” to participate in these activities in modern times. Merit means doing meritorious deeds to improve karma for oneself, family, and community, even the dead. Young and old, male and female, come out to dance, sing, and help build “bang fai” (rockets). This is another big tourist attraction and draws people (and their money) from around the world.

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With a long history stretching back centuries Krabi Krabong is a traditional martial art that, unlike Muay Thai, utilizes a variety of weapons the main two being the Krabi, a curved sword, and the Krabong, a wood staff. This combat style was utilized by the Thai military up until modern times. What makes this style of martial arts more deadly is if the practitioner loses their weapon or it’s damaged they utilize Muay Thai and Muay Boran fighting styles.

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Thailand has a very famous statue culture, especially in religious aspects. There are many Buddhist statues in the local area, and the styles cast in different periods will be different. For example, from the 15th to the 18th century, due to the booming economy at that time, different decorations and accessories such as crowns and jewelry began to appear on Buddha statues.

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Thai iced tea is a kind of strong-flavored red tea mixed with condensed milk, sugars, and sometimes even spices. The history of Thailand's tea culture can be traced back to the 17 century, one of the France diplomats reported that the Siam region (Thailand now) has a culture of drinking tea. In the 19th century, as the Chinese immigrated to Thailand, tea leaves started to be common in the street. Those Chinese people brought their tea-drinking habits to them which made the Thai inherit these habits.

recipe video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdNYU0QDz2M&ab_channel=RajshriFood

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Traditional clothing for women is much more varied as it is in many countries. From the Sabai worn by both men and women as a “shawl” to a Banong dress in the far South, Thai female fashion has been diverse and uses many traditional homespun fabrics as well as silk imported from China.

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This culture can be traced back to the royal courts of Thailand where it’s performed as a symbol of elegance and refinement. This represents the story of the Thai adaptation of the Ramayana.

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This is an ancient shadow puppet show that is usually performed during festivals. Nang means leather and yai means big, referring to the puppet in the shadows. The shadows of these puppets would be used to perform stories created in local places such as Samutkotr Khamchan. There is currently no very precise time of origin, but considering the close relationship with Ramayana in India, many believe that this performance was inspired by India. influenced by culture.

Interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqGZKEiE8YY&ab_channel=EdwardsCollegeofHumanities%26FineArts

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The Traibhumikath, also known as the Three Worlds according to King Ruang, is a 14th-century Thai cosmological treatise attributed to King Lithai of the Sukhothai Kingdom. This book very specifically talks about the three realms in Buddhist cosmology: the realm of desire, the realm of form, and the realm of formlessness.

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Lilit Phra Lo is a narrative poem of about 3870 lines written in Thai. There is no specific data on when it was written but some professionals predict that this work might have been written in the late 15 or early 16 century. The plot is mostly about a courtly romance that ends with a tragic massacre and political reconciliation.

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Rich or poor, city or country, Thai people in the past typically wore a Panung. This is a one-yard by three-yard piece of cloth wrapped around the waist to the knees then pulled up in the front and back. The only difference between the wealthy and the poor was the quality of the fabric. Poorer people typically wore homespun cotton and the wealthy wore silk. Other types of clothing were similar and only different in the materials used.

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Khun Chang Khun Phaen is a long Thai epic poem written with over 20000 couplets. The plot is mostly about 3 characters's romance and adventure story and most of their relationship are described as love triangles.

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Phra Aphai Mani is an epic poem written by Sunthorn Phu who is named the bard of Tattanakosin. This work took over 22 years to complete and it is also one of the most well-known Thai literature works that has been adapted into movies and comics. This poem is about a prince, a musician whose magical flute can induce sleep or death as he goes on adventures across ancient Thailand. This poem strongly delves into the theme of love, adventure, and the interaction between humans and mythics.

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Nirat is a traditional Thai literature poem text type used in creation during a journey. The main idea is to express the sad feelings of leaving the lovers. The history of this text type can be traced back to the 16th century. Poems like Nirat Khlong Kamsuan are famous works that used these text types to express feelings during the journey. The characteristic of the Nirat literary genre is that the author expresses his longing for his lover through the scenery along the journey. This approach is very similar to ancient Chinese poetry, and both contain this writing style.

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Rod Nam Sang ceremony is known as the water pouring ceremony in Thailand. The bride and the groom are seated side by side and their hands are bound together. An elder or the wedding celebrant will pour water over their hands from a conch shell, symbolizing their union and receiving blessings from the people who came to the wedding.

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In Thailand, wearing an all-white shirt to serious places is mostly for funerals, so it is illegal to wear an all-white shirt to traditional Thai weddings as a respect to both the groom and the bride.

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In Thai Buddhist funerals, the first step is the bathing ceremony. In the modern day, it takes place as a ceremonial pouring water when guests to the ceremony will one by one pour lustral water over the hand of the deceased. After the bathing ceremony, the deceased's hair will be cleaned and put in the coffin.

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After the bathing ceremony, the family will invite four monks to the funeral to chant daily for the deceased for around 7 days. However, these events might be shortened if the cremation needs to take place on a certain day. The cremations cannot take place on Fridays because the name for Friday sounds like the Thai word for happiness.

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At the cremation site, ceremonies are minimal, and attendees are usually seated at a distance. Family members typically approach monk robes, placing them on a pedestal before the coffin. Additionally, some individuals may present a eulogy celebrating the deceased's life. A traditional dance performance often takes place as well.

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Ranat is a kind of Thai traditional musical instrument for keyboard percussion instruments. There are around 21 - 22 bars in each and the keyboard (bars) of the different types of Ranat might be made from hardwood or bamboo, metal, or rarely glass.

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Hun Lakhon Lek is a type of traditional Thai puppet show, but this type of puppet is highly mobile. This type of puppet can be performed with fully movable figures, allowing many different parts of the body to move independently. This kind of performance often tells the story of Ranayama or other traditional Thai literary stories.

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In the north of Thailand, there is a traditional dance called the Fon which is performed in the royal courts of old Siam. There are 5 variations of Fon which are "FonTian", "Fon Len", "Fon Ngiew", "Fon Marn Gumm ber", and lastly "Fon Marn Mong Kol". Each of those dances has its individual performance of traditional Thai musical instruments and movement.

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Kantrum is a type of folk music played by the Khmer people who live in Isan, Thailand, near the Cambodian border. This is a fast traditional dance music composed of flute, singer, percussion, and violin. Such diverse instruments and sounds also make the whole performance very beautiful.

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Manorah also known as Nora, is a kind of traditional dance drama from the south of Thailand that combines graceful movements, and storytelling. Dancers will have long curved fingernail extensions, embodying celestial beings with traditional instruments like drums, gongs, and cymbals. This often connects with entertainment and a medium of connection between the spirit of religion.

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Naga (Nagini for females) are the half-man half-snake supernatural beings who live in the underworld. The stories are varied across South and Southeast Asia. The tales of the Naga begin in India although many cultures around the world have similar myths of intelligent “godlike” serpents, e.g. Chinese Dragon to Quetzalcoatl in Aztec mythology. When the Buddha sat down under the Bodhi Tree and attained Enlightenment it was the King of the Naga, Nagaraja, who came out of the river and sheltered the Buddha from the rain with his great hood. He then transformed into a beautiful human and was one of the first celestial beings to venerate Buddha. It is ironic in later mythology that Garuda, who is the protector of the Buddha, is the sworn enemy of all Naga. In Thailand , they take these myths very seriously. In the Mekong River area of Isan, the Naga is considered a protector spirit in the river and the Naga Cave is the entrance to the Naga underworld. In most of Thailand, it is believed the Naga control rain and they perform celebrations and ceremonies to ask the Naga to bless the rice fields.

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Likay is a folk theater form from central Thailand. The play is a combination of extravagant costumes and a barely constructed stage. Most of the performances rely on the improvisation of the actors and the imagination of the audience. They are easy to perform and can be prepared in a short time, so they are loved by a wide range of people.

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Khong wong yai is a musical instrument that uses a gong. Its pergola contains 16 tuned convex gongs, played by two beaters. It is often used in pipa music. This instrument is one of the oldest in Thailand, but in modern times, people are more familiar with southern music styles, so this instrument faces the problem of disappearing.

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Mae Phosop (Mae means mother), also known as Mae Khwan Khao, is the Thai goddess of rice. She is not part of the official Buddhist religion but more of a figure from pre-Buddhist Thailand. There is evidence of her worship dating back 2000 years. Throughout Thailand, rice farmers will offer offerings and pay homage to Make Phosop at different stages of the rice production cycle to ensure a big harvest. These practices have become less and less common over the years but saw slight resurgences after the Queen Mother, Sirikit Kitiyakara, gave her support to the folk tradition.

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Ghost Story (Phi Pop, KrasueKuman, Thong)

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Ghost Story (Phi Pop, KrasueKuman, Thong)

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Ghost stories and ghosts themselves are prevalent and taken seriously by many Thai people. Even highly educated individuals will have the random amulet to protect themselves from Phi Rai (evil ghosts). There are many ghost stories but a few of the favorites are the intestine-eating Phi Pop who many Thai people believe is responsible for many unsolved murders. There is also the tale of Krasue which is the floating head of a beautiful woman with her inside dangling below her neck. She supposedly drinks blood and dung from a water buffalo. It is said she will wipe her dirty mouth on clothing left hanging on the line after dark so Thai people always bring in the laundry before the sun goes down. Then there is the Kuman Thong which is a personal divinity/house spirit of some Thai people. It literally means “golden child” and has its origins in the horrific act of using dead fetuses to create golden statues as protector spirits.

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Approximately 50 million people speak Thai worldwide. In 1836 King Rama IV made Thai, also known as Siamese, the official language of the kingdom. Central Thai is the dialect primarily spoken in and around Bangkok and has become the official language of television, radio, etc.

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More closely related to Central/Standard Thai, the dialect of northern Thailand is sometimes called Lanna Thai. Prior to becoming part of the Siam Kingdom in 1786 it was a separate nation and then under the control of Burma. Lan Na Kingdom means “Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields” and was centered around the capital at Chiang Mai.

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Although part of the overall Kingdom of Thailand and considered a Thai dialect, Isan is more closely related to Lao than Central Thai. Prior to Thailand agreeing to surrender what is present-day Loas to the French in 1893 Isan and Laos were part of Thailand together. Now the Mekong River splits the area and is now the border. The people in Isan still call their language Lao, not Northeastern Thai.

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Spoken by approximately 5 million people in Southern Thailand and parts of northern Malaysia, Pak Tai or Dambro, is seen by many as the most different from Central Thai of all the dialects. It can be difficult for Central and Northern speakers to understand but most of the people who speak Southern Thai also speak Central Thai.

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Although Thai is the official language of Thailand, many people speak other languages as their primary or secondary. 27% of the population speak Lao which is closely related to Isan.  Many of Chinese ancestry speak Chinese as a first or second language making up around  12%. Around 4% speak Malay and 3% and Khmer. As in many places around the world, English has become the language of business and is spoken by roughly 10% of the population, mostly in cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai or in major tourist areas such as Phuket, Pattaya, and Krabi.

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Thai Buddhism is a very unique form of Theravada Buddhism. Originally introduced from Sri Lanka Thai Buddhism has taken on its own distinctive flavor.  One well-known aspect of Thai Buddhism is the practice of short-term ordination. This is where a man becomes a monk for a short period of time but it’s considered to give great “karmic value” to the man and his entire family before he marries. Many Thai men do this just before marriage to impress their partner’s family.  There are actually two forms of recognized Thai Buddhism. There is the more “mainstream” form practiced by the majority of the nation and the “Forest Tradition” which has gained massive followers internationally over the last 50 years.

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Practiced primarily in the south by Malaysians, Islam makes up approximately 5.4% of the population. It has become distinctly Thai over the years blending Sufism as well as local customs and traditions while maintaining strict Islamic practices. Since Thai people have religious freedom Muslim people have access to mosques, Islamic schools, and festivals.

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Introduced by missionaries sometime in the 1300s Christianity has never grown in prominence making up around 1.2% of the population. As with Islam, it has adopted my Thai cultural traits. State support has increased, specifically in educational institutions over the years. International Christian schools are very common in larger cities.

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In Thai religious practices, traditional folk religion and animism play a significant role by incorporating the belief that spirits inhabit natural elements like trees, rivers, and even objects, leading to practices like building spirit houses to appease these spirits and seeking their protection through offerings and rituals, often alongside the observance of Buddhist teachings, creating a blended religious experience for many Thais; this integration is particularly visible in rural areas where animistic beliefs remain strong.

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Buddhism has its foundations in Hinduism, primarily in
Vedic traditions, so it’s not unusual to see Hindu iconography and mythology mixed in with Buddhism. The myths of Nagas and Garuda ( the symbol of the Thai royal family) play dominant roles in Thai Buddhism. There are also people (mostly Indian) who practice Hinduism exclusively. Other religions brought in by immigration include  Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, and Sikhism.

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In Central Thailand, we see what many would consider the typical traditional Thai home. These houses are usually built on stilts to protect from high water. They also sport an open-air platform (a deck in the United States,) to extend the living space outdoors. As in most of Thailand it also has the typical steep-pitched roof.

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Houses in North Eastern/Isan Thailand were built in basically three types: temporary, semi-permanent, and permanent. The temporary houses were constructed by farmers working in the rice fields and were designed to be torn down easily or would fall in just a few years. The second type was the semi-permanent. These were usually add-ons to the main permanent house. In some cases, they were mostly used as outbuildings or even housing for workers. The permanent house was of similar style to the central style; steep roofs, overhanging gables, and stilt construction but typically with more narrow and fewer windows and a single door to enter the house.

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The traditional building style in Northern Thailand is called the Lanna Style after the old Lanna Kingdom from history. It too has the typical Thai steep-pitched roofs but that flares out at the bottom and slightly curves upward at the base. The roofs also have “horns” and feature Kalae carvings; the intricate and beautiful carvings at the gable. There is a great deal of tradition and superstition related to this style. Everything is about protecting the home from evil spirits. The overall style is heavily influenced by Mon, Burmese, Chinese, some Laotian, and even ancient influences from the old Khmer Empire.

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The traditional building style in Southern Thailand is called the "Malay style." They are typically made of natural materials from wood, bamboo, and even palm leaves. As in other parts of Thailand they are built on stilts to keep them safe from high water and animals. They have steep-pitched roofs to quickly run off water and protect from heavy winds in a style sometimes called "Panya" or "Lima.” They are very practical in design both for the natural elements but with a simplistic beauty.

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We can’t leave talking about Building Styles without talking about Spirit Houses or “San Phra Phum” as they are called in Thailand. Seen all over Southeast Asia, the Spirit Houses are the homes for the protector spirits of the property or shrines to special spirits/local gods. These sometimes very intricate little houses are usually built in the corner of a property near the house or even under special/sacred trees, locations on the roadways (perhaps where someone died), or even in front of some commercial building. Thai people, like others in Southeast Asia, will leave small offerings of food, drink, or even gifts of clothing and furniture for the “spirits” especially during religious holidays. These spirits protect the property from evil and are said to bring good fortune to the people who honor them.

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Caption: Light the Night Sky Lantern Festival, White Sands NationalPark COURTESY PHOTOS

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The name “Loi Krathong” roughly translates to “to float a vessel or lamp.” The origin is from ancient India and is celebrated in different ways across Asia. In China we call it the “Lantern Festival.” In Thailand, they still light paper lanterns but have added a very Thai tradition of putting small floating craft in the water with incense, a candle, and other offerings to the Water/River Goddess, Khongkha. Every year thousands of tiny candle-lit “boats” are seen floating down the Chao Phraya River.

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There is a more local festival in Dan Sai in Loi Province in the northeastern area of Isan Thailand. It is well known for its elaborate costumes and masks. The people consider this a time of “merit making” in Buddhism but also as a way to appease the river spirit, Phra U-pakut. The festival is held every year between March and July as determined by the local mediums.

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"Mor Lam" is a traditional folk music form from the Isan region in northeastern Thailand and Laos. It combines poetry, music, and dance, and is mainly accompanied by a "Khene" (a bamboo reed mouth organ). His singing style is flexible and fast-paced, and he often talks about topics such as love, daily life, and social issues in an improvised way. Mor Lam plays an important role in local culture, both as a form of entertainment and as a medium for social commentary, reflecting the life experiences and cultural traditions of the Isan region and the Lao people. Lsan and Lao people have a very intimate connection which makes this culture more important to keep.

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Pornchai Kaokaew - Biographies of notable cultural figures (Multi-media) (Link) (Tiger)

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Pornchai Kaokaew - Biographies of notable cultural figures (Multi-media) (Link) (Tiger)

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INCHEON: His teammates call him the “left-footed killer”, an unlikely nickname for a veteran athlete who plays in the same cheap plimsolls that high school students are forced to wear in his native Thailand.

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Banlu Anwiset - Biographies of notable cultural figures (Multi-media) (Link) (Tiger)

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Banlu Anwiset - Biographies of notable cultural figures (Multi-media) (Link) (Tiger)

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Legendary Muay Thai Champion Coban: Showing NYC The “Beauty” Of His Fighting Science

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Born on August 24, 1981, in Khon Kaen, Thailand, Pornchai Kaokaew has been a pivotal figure in Thai Sepak Takraw. Standing at 179 cm, he has been instrumental in Thailand’s dominance in the sport, contributing to multiple gold medals in the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games. His dedication and skill have earned him recognition as one of the sport’s top players.

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King Mongkut, who was born in 1804, made a great contribution to the culture of Thailand. He significantly advanced the study and practice of Buddhism in Thailand. He brought back knowledge of the pure teachings of the Buddha and taught other monks to adhere strictly to them. Finally, he established a Buddhist sect called Thammayth Nigaya.

Although his contributions are not as influential as King Lithai's, his importance to Buddhist concepts and temple construction cannot be underestimated. It is precisely because of his contributions that we can see many exquisitely constructed temples and Buddha statues in Thailand.

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Link to google doc OPVL+C:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iOG5HBpq9cUY_HeclmSN7H0axyWxR5jKQreEsOt_uS4/edit?tab=t.0

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In Thailand, the royal family has a great influence on culture. From the founding of Thailand to the present, Thailand has had a great relationship with them in all aspects of culture. King Lithai was one of the kings of the Sukhothai Kingdom. He is considered the most likely author of Traibhumikatha. This book records in detail the three realms of desire, color, and formless realm in Buddhist cosmology. These concepts are of great significance to Thailand. The continuing influence of culture and religion is still visible today. Not only did he have a huge influence on religion, but he became the first Buddhist philosopher to write in Thai and was a very powerful king. He promoted literature, religion, and art such as murals and sculptures. Thanks to his complete rule, the culture in these areas gained a complete and important foundation.

His influence on religion was not limited to writing Traibhumikatha, he also promoted the spread of religion throughout Thailand, making it a cornerstone of Thai culture. First, he built temples in various places to promote the development of religious art, let local residents better understand the meaning of Buddhism, and spread the roots of Buddhism throughout the country. The religious art he promoted is still considered a very important creation of Buddhism. From pottery, and Buddha statues to murals in temples, each one symbolizes important significance and makes the connection between Thai culture and religion even stronger.

King Lithai is not only a ruler of an era in Thailand, but also a scholar and protector of culture in the eyes of the masses. His important contributions have had a historic impact on Thailand, both from an artistic and religious perspective. His influence was not limited to Thailand but spread to the entire Southeast Asia. Although Buddhism was introduced in India, it can be said that King Lithai at that time contributed to the promotion of Buddhism as one of the important cultures in Southeast Asia. Therefore, King Lithai is undoubtedly the figure who has contributed most to the foundation of culture throughout Thai history.

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Wat Ko - 300 Year Old Mural Paintings - Phetchaburi Thailand

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Link to google doc citation page : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WxzLkppZ0aLNbqnO00y7oKXfA9Tytpr96wJ8NTX-AXo/edit?tab=t.0

Citation:

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One of the cultural threads at risk of disappearing in Thailand is the traditional practice of Krabi Krabong, a martial art that uses weapons such as the curved sword (krabi) and staff (krabong). This martial art, which has a long tradition reaching back to the Ayutthaya Kingdom, is a form of combat and a cultural heritage representing Thai identity and history.

The primary reason Krabi Krabong is in danger is due to the overwhelming impact caused by globalization and the modernization of Thai society. Although there has been a surge  in interest in Muay Thai due to the popularity of Mix Martial Arts (MMA) competitions, the growth in popularity of Western sports and entertainment puts traditional practices like Krabi Krabong into the shadows. The younger generations are becoming more attracted to more modern forms of entertainment and physical activity, such as MMA or Western boxing, which are advertised more aggressively and viewed as more satisfying.  This shift in interest can lead to a decline in engagement in traditional martial arts, resulting in fewer individuals and educators available to pass on the knowledge and skills related to Krabi Krabong.

The lack of institutional support for preserving traditional arts causes this issue. While there are museums and cultural organizations aimed at preserving Thai culture, many do not prioritize martial arts. Without specific efforts or funding to promote Krabi Krabong, leading people see or use it even less.

Supporting evidence for this trend can be seen in the decline of traditional festivals where Krabi Krabong is shown. As growing populations continue, these cultural events are often replaced or changed to cater to modern tastes, reducing traditional practices.

In conclusion, the combination of globalization, changing interests among the new generations, and not enough institutional support places Krabi Krabong at significant risk of disappearing from Thailand's rich cultural heritage. Maintaining this martial art requires a huge amount of effort from both the public and cultural organizations to ensure that it remains an important component of Thailand's national identity.

Cultural threads like Krabi Krabong, Songkran, and spirit houses have greatly shaped Thailand’s national culture by connecting its people to their history and values. Krabi Krabong, an ancient martial art using weapons like swords and staffs, shows the strength and bravery of Thailand’s past. Although less famous than Muay Thai, it reminds people of their warrior heritage and their nation’s fight for independence. By preserving this martial art, Thailand keeps a strong connection to its history and pride in its cultural identity.

Festivals like Songkran and the use of spirit houses also have a big impact on Thai culture today. Songkran, the traditional New Year, highlights important values like family and respect for elders through water-pouring rituals. It has also become a fun, well-known celebration that attracts tourists, showing how Thailand shares its traditions with the world. Spirit houses, small shrines built to honor guardian spirits, blend Buddhist and ancient beliefs, showing how deeply spirituality is woven into Thai life. These practices influence how people live, showing respect for both their ancestors and their surroundings, and keeping Thailand’s culture alive and meaningful.