The King's Birthday

December 5th is a national holiday in Thailand -- the birthday of HM the King and Father's Day.  
 

There were ceremonies all over Thailand to mark the occasion. Here in Khemmarat, Buddhist monks prayed early in the morning at a plaza by the river and many people came out to join them and offer them food.

 

The lines were long of those who wanted to give food to the monks.

 

 

The monks walked down the lines and people placed food into their containers.

 

George met up with our very good friend Wachinee (better known as Platong Khotsombat, if you follow us on Facebook).  She is an English teacher at Baan Nong Phue School and the reason Mary and I are here. She tries to make sure George understands cultural norms here in Thailand and doesn't offend anyone (thank you, Wachinee).

 

 

Wachinee came with her mother Kid and I got a picture of the two lovely ladies.  Kid worries about whether we get enough to eat (we do!) and sends food in with Wachinee in the morning on occasion (thank you, Kid).

 

You'll notice how nice the clothes are that Wachinee and her mother are wearing.  Many of the Thai women (and some of the men) that George saw that morning were in beautiful Thai clothes.  Here's one couple leaving after the event.

 

 The monks headed home as well with new supplies of food.

 

The red, white, and blue flag of Thailand and the King's yellow flag waved around town.

The King turned 85 this year and made an appearance on a balcony of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall in Bangkok. Here are pictures from the Bangkok Post and NBC News' Photoblog of the King's appearance in Bangkok and of the yellow-clad crowds estimated at about 200,000:

 

 

If you'd like to see more of this impressive event, here's a link to some beautiful pictures:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/worldnews/9723978/Thailands-King-Bhumibol-the-worlds-longest-reigning-monarch-turns-85.html

In the evening, Khemmarat held a ceremony to honor the King.  The stage was set and guests signed in.

Guests were beautifully dressed, including our friend Retired Thai Lt. Kittisak Boonyajahn.

 



 

There was classic Thai dancing.

 



 

Then many, many groups from Khemmarat and surrounding towns and villages presented phan pum in honor of the King.  Here's a close-up of phan pum -- a gold one in honor of the King and a silver one in honor of the Queen:

 

and here are two groups making their presentations:

 

The ceremony ended with the entire audience lighting and holding candles up while a music video was played honoring the King.  We all then took our candles forward to the stage and left them in trays.  It was a beautiful thing!

 



 

 Long live the King!



A Tour of Amphoe Khemmarat with Thanorm

Thanorm is a young English teacher at Baan Nong Phue School with whom George works in classes for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.  He's also a very nice guy who has made us feel very welcome at the school.

On Saturday, December 1, Thanorm, his lovely wife Laor, and their beautiful 2-year-old daughter Piyapat took us on a tour of Amphoe (District) Khemmarat.  The first stop (after quite a search to find it in a very rural area of Khemmarat) was Wat Sirathong.  It is the first open-air temple we've seen.

 

There are some interesting architectural features of the temple (including brick arches) and interesting decorations (including a very large wasps' nest).

 

 

One reason that Thanorm had selected this temple for our tour was because of some very ancient  artifacts (perhaps a thousand years old or older) that had been found during excavation on the temple grounds.  The artfacts are kept in a small museum; Thanorm had to call to get the museum unlocked for us.  While we waited, Laor fixed Piyapat's hair.

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As we understand it, some of the artifacts are probably containers used to bury the dead; others are jewelry, and others,weapons .

 There was also some more recent, very attractive pottery,

 

 

and some interesting implements, still in use today, displayed on an exterior grate.

 

And gorgeous butterflies always seem to be near the temples in Thailand . . .

 



 

The next stop was the popular Wat Pak Saeng, also known as Wat Phra To, which is located on the Mekong River and holds special meaning for Laor and Thanorm.

 

 



 

 



 

The last stop was the Baitong Restaurant near our apartment in Khemmarat.  We have passed by it most everyday on the way to school and never knew it was a restaurant -- an excellent one at that!  We were treated to a fabulous lunch that left us saying "Im laew"  ("I'm full").

 

Thanks, Thanorm, Laor, and Piyapat, for a wonderful day and tour of Amphoe Khemmarat!