Monk initiation ceremony

It is customary for men in Thailand to spend a part of their life through the passage of monk hood. I've posted some of the processions seen before. This time I witnessed one as an invited guest. The son of my friend P'Piak was entering monk hood.

This is a joyous occasion.. witness the mood of the procession!


Arriving the temple mid-day for lunch - with swiftlets' condo in the backdrop.
















Thai temples has their distinctive architecture - the roof in particular.
































These tents roof over 100 tables i.e. more than 1000 guests!
















Huge pots & big woks - food preparations for the banquet!





















Of course, all my bird farming friends were there too.
















P'Piak & family (less the son obviously) ...
















After lunch, the procession arrived at the temple...
















The new monk with hands clasped in prayer followed behind.





















This lovely lass is dressed for the occasion.





















Undue attention can be stressful too.





















Well I won't mistaken such as wedding procession as I did before!

Giving way to ducks

Ducks are seen occasionally feeding along irrigation canals in rural areas. Normally they do not wander off to obstruct roads. This time I stopped to watch how farmers herd them up a truck.

They were driven off their feeding area..





















... onto the roadside,
















...then in to make shift holding pans leading up a gangway to be truck away - last journey perhaps!
















It was time approaching Chinese New Year, I visited my friend whose family business is supplying braised ducks to restaurants. Guess this is how they ended up.
















Demand peaks this time of the year, cooking round the clock for 2 days with a production line operation - overs 4,000!
















So this is another glimpse into life in rural province.

Lessons of "self-sufficiency economy" - Part 1

During the last world economic recession, the export oriented economic sector was much affected. His Majesty the King has since advocate the country to follow a more resilient economic model of 'self-sufficiency'.

This message come to light again while I was on way to Keang Krachang National Park recently, came across this "Sufficiency Economy Learning Center". I soon discovered this is also a rehabilitation & reform center of drug offenders.
















Open to public, this showcases various activity that can be promoted in rural communities.





















Took me a while to realize this key shaped 'welcome' sign signifies the unlocking of knowledge within - how meaningful!
















The entrance area has a number of mud huts, this is a barber shop service provided by inmates.
















The other side is a coffee shop manned by inmates too.
















Wall photos of the King & Queen in their younger active days.
















Flower-shaped mud cup holders to place your coffee.
















This is a meeting room



















Another building in progress. Our guide - a reformed drug peddler still have six months remaining to serve before discharge.





















Central to this theme is the use mud bricks, made of mud & grain husk mixture. Most impressive is their creative & artistic expressions.

Animal husbandry are pigs that generate cash income and its feces are fed to sealed tank to produce methane gas for cooking in the kitchen.















Mother pigs & piglets - she is huge!





















Goats that provides milk too.





















This tunnel like bamboo structure supports various creeping vegetables. One that I would duplicated in my farm.





















There are numerous economic models here. I was more into a learning mood than taking photos. This place warrants a second visit and I shall feature them in future.

Finally this is the inmates quarters - another mud hut of course!
















Beds for 20 here - far end is an open toilet shared by all.
















This is truly an eye opener. What an excellent approach to combine drug offenders reform with 'self sufficiency economy'!

Wild elephants watching - Kuiburi National Park

On the way back towards Hua Hin after visiting Dan Sing Khong, I took a detour into KuiBuri National Park.

It was about 3pm in the afternoon. Lucky us, we met the ranger at the Park HQ who was about to lead a small convoy to watch wild elephants.
















Our guide, Khun Somchai





















This was an exciting time for me, may be with some anxiety. Seen many tame elephants at theme parks and Bangkok streets. Encounter with an wild elephant? My first experience!

He led us to another part of the park about 20km away.
The check point en route to the observation area.
















We learned there are 168 elephants & more than 15 tigers in the wild here.
The waterhole is walking distance away and animals would come for a drink or a bath.





















As we arrived, a group was watching a black bear perched on a tree top. Without the ranger's guidance, it would be hard to spot them!
















We drove along dirt tracks with the ranger in radio contact with others elsewhere looking out for the elephants. After an hour, sometimes hap hazard about turns to rendezvous with other groups, we came back to the water hole where a male elephant was feeding.
















If you are unprepared with binoculars, you may rent one from the park HQ.





















A privilege few had vantage point.





















Keeping a safe distance, we all watch in silence with respect to the animal.
















Catching a last glimpse before departing.
















I did wondered about personal safety as we wondered around in the wild. But I placed trust with the rangers escorting us. We also hear about their close encounters at times. The huts at the observation center were manned by rangers. They are armed in event of animal attacks during the night which did occurred in the past.

Wild Orchids of Myanmar

If you love orchids, then one place to visit when in Thailand is Dan Sing Khong, a Thai border town along the Myanmar border (perhaps an hour & half drive south from Hua Hin).

The town is unmarked on Google Maps but I have located for your reference. The turn-off (sign posted) from the Asian Highway 2 (Phetkasaem Road) is roughly midway between the towns of Huai Sai & Huai Yang. The road leading in is good and well traveled by weekenders seeking wild orchids!

View Larger Map

I came for 2 reasons, one is to sample the orchids; the other is to check what kind of wood products available.

Well I am not disappointed with the first, but fall short of the second objective. There are good selections of wood pieces for orchids cultivation. However, the wood furniture on displays are rather bulky and lacks fine craftsmanship.

Rows after rows of make shit stalls flourish into a fair size market place.
















You can differentiate their Burmese origin as most women folks wear a white power on their faces for skin protection.
















It was a leisure pace all round. Wake her up if you want to know how much to pay!
















Yes, I'll surely be back again when it is time to start my orchid collection.

I've also found a link that gives more background info about Burmese wild orchids and this town.
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/281327

Captivating Vandas of Suang Phueng

Recently I brought a friend who loves orchids up to Suang Phueng. He is impressed with the varieties of Vandas found there. This is my second visit and can't help captivated by its colors & beauty too.

Caught up with Khun Lek again and learned quite a bit on the upkeep of these beautiful flowers.
























































































































































































































































































If you love orchids, this place will surely interest you.