Observing the end of Buddhist Lent

The Buddha’s descent from the heavens after obtaining enlightenment is commemorated at the end of Buddhist Lent. This year the day is observed on 24 October.

Two important national holidays will be celebrated this weekend. The commemoration of the passing of King Chulalongkorn, or King Rama V, will be observed on Saturday 23 October. The following day, Sunday, October 24th marks the end of Buddhist Lent.

The day set for the end of Buddhist Lent coincides with the 15th night of the 11th month according to the Buddhist calendar. It is the time when the Buddha miraculously descended from the heavens, after obtaining nirvana three months earlier on what is now considered to be the beginning of Buddhist Lent. The day is considered to be the birth of enlightenment for mankind as the Buddha descended from the heavens in the morning, accompanied by two Gods, to free man from the many sufferings endured on earth.

The King and the people of that day and age were waiting at the gates to the city as the Buddha came to offer the knowledge he gained from enlightenment as a way to end the suffering throughout the lands. The masses came to pay homage to the Buddha, bringing alms in the morning. This practice has been performed every year since then on the same day according to the Buddhist calendar to commemorate the birth of enlightenment.

The “Thod Katin” ceremony was also birthed during this historical event. People from all walks of life presented new yellow robes to monks for the coming year, and those who could afford it gave whatever money they could to the temples to be used in whatever way the temple deemed appropriate. This custom, too, is still performed today, and the offering of new yellow robes to monks is normally done during a one month period following the end of Buddhist Lent.

In former times, rather than presenting new robes to monks directly, people would sometimes set the new robes on a tree branch or some obvious location for a passing monk to consider if the robes were necessary to cloth his body.

As is still done today, the monks begin residing in the temples at the beginning of Buddhist Lent, and remain there for the three months of the rainy season. The end of Buddhist Lent marks the time when they depart the temples and return to their normal routines.

Everyone is invited to participate in the merit making “Thod Katin” ceremony according to individual beliefs.

Assistance for Thailand’s Elephants was only a trunk call away!

The once proud defender of Thailand’s borders, the mighty elephant, has been brought to its knees. While the plight of Motala, the elephant which stepped on the land mine in Burma now rescued and recovering in Thailand, is well known, not so much is known of the hundreds of other elephants in need of care.

Fortunately for those elephants, there is a group to assist them. The Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) is a registered Foundation that has since 1993 been intimately involved in the welfare of these wonderful animals.

However, like all charitable causes, it requires the public to get behind them to enable them to continue with their work. That work includes the care of over 100 sick, abandoned, abused and endangered elephants. Motala is not the only pachyderm to stand on man’s abomination - the land mine. Two more last week are now in elephant hospital too.

A call for help was answered by the Royal Garden Resort and Plaza. Could they make some space available for a wood carving exhibition at the end of November with proceeds going to the FAE? Resident Manager Bjorn Richardson responded in the affirmative. Of course they could. A committee, chaired by elephant supporter Sukunya Singhasilapa from the Mai-Mai shop in Bangkok, was convened at the Royal Garden Plaza. More calls ensued. More people said, “Yes!” The FAE came down. The noted woodcarver, Petch Viraya put down his hammer and chisels and came along. More calls and Bjorn Richardson contacted the Pattaya Mail. “Would the Pattaya Mail like to help an elephant (or two)?” Of course we would!

It only took a little research to find that there were hundreds of elephants who had passed through the loving kindness of the FAE and its hospital. Research showed that the FAE have had to buy elephants out of slavery and physical abuse. A research that showed we have to take some collective responsibility for the mistreatment of the animals that in the past assisted Thailand and its industry and defence for hundreds of years.

It was more than a trunk call. It was a call for help. We have responded and over the next few weeks will show you how you can help as well.

Kammee - a sad tale

Have you ever looked into the lustrous brown eyes of an elephant and seen tears slowly fall? Soraida Salwala has. Too many times.

Consider the tale of Kammee, a 53-year-old cow elephant from Kanchanaburi Province. At an age where we begin to plan for retirement, this working elephant was being fed amphetamines to get more production from her.

Kammee remains a very sad and isolated elephant.

As her health began to fail, she was shunted around from one owner to another. There was no loving mahout to live with her and look after her. Just a series of men who took advantage of her strengths and then fed her drugs to keep her going.

With poorly fitting chains around her shoulders that cut into her skin, all the way through to the bone, can you imagine the pain as she hauled heavy logs through the forests? Her condition deteriorated and she began to waste away. No one cared about this working elephant’s malnutrition. They gave her drugs rather than food and sent her back into the forests, her workplace.

This elephant was found in this pitiable condition by Soraida Salwala, the founder of the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE). Abscesses on Kammee’s legs were ulcerating, as were the horrendous wounds on her shoulders.

Soraida knew that Kammee had to come to the FAE hospital if she were ever to survive, but the owners continued with their inhumane treatment. Demanding 150,000 Baht for this pathetic pachyderm, a once proud and noble Thai elephant, they eventually accepted 80,000 Baht which the FAE gladly paid to release Kammee from her awful existence.

It would have been nice to think that the story of Kammee could end there, with her wounds treated and healed, but this is not a happy tale. Kammee has not only physical scars, but psychological ones as well. Mistreatment by a series of masters made her a “loner”, afraid to even mingle with her own kind.

But fate smiled briefly on poor Kammee, she began to trust Pang Pi, another cow elephant in the care of FAE. The slow process of rehabilitation could commence for Kammee with the help of her friend Pang Pi. Or could it?

In a terrible accident, during the elephants’ evacuation during a bush fire, Pang Pi perished. In front of Kammee. That unfortunate elephant witnessed the end of the only friend she ever had.

Kammee remains a very sad and isolated elephant. The assaults on her psyche have been such that she will require treatment for many years. She may never recover. But at least the Friends of the Asian Elephant will be there for her, for as long as she needs them.

With Kammee and similarly unfortunate elephants needing assistance, the Friends of the Asian Elephant need your help too. Next week, the Pattaya Mail will show you how you can become involved with the largest animals in the world and make this a better place for them, and us.

Royal Garden to host woodcarving exhibition

From November 27th through to the King’s birthday on December 5th, Petch Wiriya and his master craftsmen from Northern Thailand will exhibit their work on the first floor of the Royal Garden Plaza. A portion of the proceeds from the exhibition will go towards medical costs and support for the Kingdom’s elephants (see side story, Kammee - a sad tale).

Family life of the very sociable elephant - a sample of the work to be on display at the Royal Garden Plaza.

The Wiriya Woodcarvers, who come from Ban Jang Nak, San Kamphaeng District in Chiang Mai, are renowned for their craftsmanship. Most have their woodcarvings on sale in Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Pattaya.

Wiriya Woodcarvers, master craftsmen from Northern Thailand will exhibit their work on the first floor of the Royal Garden Plaza from November 27th through to the King’s birthday on December 5th.

The detailed carvings have been selling for the past 22 years under the instruction of master carver Kham-Ai Detduangtaa. In 1985 the carvers turned their attention to elephants as their special objects after a suggestion from the Department of Cultural Handicraft Preservation. Their desire is to develop the art and preserve the heritage of the elephant in Thailand.

The woodcarvers also wish portray to the world the progressive situation elephants are experiencing after nobly serving mankind for centuries.

The master craftsmen have become closely associated with a network of skilled people who grew up working side by side with elephants. These people have been relating stories depicting detailed natural scenes that are being portrayed in the carvings.

Mother and child - a sample of the work to be on display at the Royal Garden.

Mrs. Sukanya Singsin, the manager and owner of the woodcarving and silk store called “Mai-Mai” located in the Oriental Place, Jareun Krung Road in Bangkok, joined with the Friend’s of Elephant Foundation and the wood craftsmen from northern Thailand to hold the exhibition.

The master woodcarvers are very pleased to have their carvings presented in Pattaya for visiting tourists to appreciate. They said that they hope those experiencing the exhibition will gain an understanding of their desire for the elephant to continue as the respected animal that it deserves to be. The group also wishes to have the elephant live on in a suitable environment for centuries to come, just as it did in the past.

Art lovers should not miss this opportunity, and for those unfamiliar with the artwork, two items are already on display in the Royal Garden Hotel Lobby and will remain there until the start of the exhibition.

Oktoberfest at the Amari Orchid Resort

Following the very successful Oktoberfest promotion last year, the Amari Orchid Resort went all Bavarian again this year. Blue and white diamond chequers everywhere, an oom-pah-pah band and the waiters in yellow shirts with contrasting black and red braces, echoing the German National Flag colours.

The man doesn’t realize his own strength! Chonburi Governor Sudcharit Padchimnan broaches the cask as Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat and Amari GM Pierre-Andre Pelletier look on.

Co-hosts for the evening were Tippawan and Dominic who were outfitted in a type of black velvet “lederhosen” shirts and shorts outfit. Tippawan looked most fetching in hers, but Dominic, with legs more suited to holding up billiard tables, should stick to long pants in future!

Oompapah!

The official opening was done by the Governor of Chonburi, Sudcharit Padchimnan, assisted by the local Mayor, Pairat Sutthithamrongsawat and GM of the Amari Orchid Resort, Pierre-Andre Pelletier. Their function was to knock in the bung of the ceremonial barrel, mounted mid stage. The Governor was unaware of his strength and knocked the complete end off the barrel, but followed this up with a laugh and a wave and toasted the revellers with a large stein of beer.

Many of the local German expats were in attendance, including some of the German party people from Bangkok. Notable amongst these was Sebastian Gotthardt, who led the band with much arm waving and stein clinking. His ravishingly beautiful wife, whom he would not let the press contingent get too near, was also the winner of the Ladies Beer Drinking Competition.

Guests sample the culinary delights of Bavaria.

However, it was not an “all German” night, with a table of Russian tour guides displaying ample charms and an ability with the steins as well.

In the buffet tables, arranged around the gardens, were some typical German favourites, with Bavarian sausage and sauerkraut as well as the usual meat skewers and other BBQ items.

Making it a fun evening for families, there were games for the kids set up, with darts and balloons for catapult practice and a “knock’em down” stand with tinnies. Adult games were more strenuous, with log sawing, beer drinking, knocking nails into wood and feats of strength such as holding a full stein at arms length until your shoulder joint pops out!

The Amari’s Oktoberfest was raucous, oom-pah-pous and hilarious. You did not have to be German to enjoy this event. In fact, if you were born on any day with a “Y” in it, you are entitled to go and would be well advised not to miss the next one!

GIS take a walk on the wild side

by Kirsty Gascoin

Q. What do 99 red balloons, YMCA and a g-string have in common?

A. They were all featured in the answers to the Music Quiz at Garden International School last week.

Seven teams, made up of parents, students and staff, took part in the quiz. It was held at the school on Friday to raise funds to send 15 students to the FOBISSEA Music Festival, which will be held in Penang in November. The quiz-mistress, Matron Sue Priddle, had put together an entertaining and eclectic menu of questions and music, ranging from Chumbawamba to Tchaikovsky.

Although the compere, Adrian Price, succumbed to Ban Chang Belly halfway through the first round, he executed a perfect Sukhumvit Shuffle as he exited the building. His shoes were admirably filled by the aptly named Sue Wild, who conducted the rest of the proceedings in her own inimitable style.

The winning team, 7% Solution.

Perhaps the most memorable round will cause many participants to turn a Whiter Shade of Pale upon recollection - teams were required to sing the next line of a song whilst dancing in a style of their choosing. “Somewhere over the Rainbow” was a highlight, as was the spectacle of the Principal, Ken Sly, getting on down to “I Get Knocked Down”.

A very enjoyable and successful evening ended with the winning team, the Leaders of the Pack for the entire contest, being presented with CDs generously donated by Tower Records Pattaya.

Head of Music at Garden International, Carolynn McIntyre, was the captain (and Dancing Queen) of the Von Trapp Family, who came runners-up to the winners, 7% Solution. When asked how she came to be defeated in her pet subject, in the spirit of the evening, she replied, “Don’t blame it on sunshine, don’t blame it on moonlight, don’t blame it on good times, blame it on the boogie.”

Better luck next time, Carolynn.

Open House at ISE

Last month the International School Eastern Seaboard (ISE) held Open House events for their elementary, middle and high schools. An “Open House” is an opportunity for parents to hear from teachers first hand about the instructional program their children are receiving. This year, ISE offered two types of sessions. The first sessions involved only teachers and parents, to enable the discussion to focus on curriculum issues and teacher expectations for student performance. In the final sessions of the afternoon, students joined their parents and teachers in the classrooms. This is when the real fun began, as the children acted as tour guides, proudly displaying their work and explaining their classroom routines. Some of the more courageous parents were even interested enough to reach their hands into their child’s desk to discover hidden academic treasures, and maybe last week’s peanut butter sandwich! It was a great program and a very effective way for teachers and parents to solidify the important bond between home and school.

Reinforcement Theory - ‘The Carrot and the Stick’

by Richard Townsend Corporate Learning
Consultant

This theory expounds a ‘behavioristic’ approach to motivation and assumes that behaviour is a result of its consequences. Theorists who support this approach believe that you need not be concerned about internal mental states, prior knowledge, learning styles or current levels of an individual’s level of understanding (internal cognitive events). Rather they argue that ‘reinforces’ (consequences that immediately follow behaviour) will, if they are ‘good’, lead to a repetition of the behaviour and if they are ‘bad’ will lead to an avoidance of the behaviour.

Although it can be argued that this theory is widely accepted in many circles, (because its easy and we don’t need to think too hard to apply it) experience shows that this philosophy ignores much that is known about human behaviour. In addition, it is likely (particularly if applied in isolation) to stimulate behaviour designed to do as little as possible to avoid the ‘stick’ and as little as possible to gain acceptable levels of reward or the ‘carrot’. If the object of motivation is to strive to create excellence and superior performance, the danger of using this technique is that the leader/manager will only create a comfortable state of trouble free mediocrity.

If entrepreneurial organizations need to be learning organizations (and they do)... What do learning organizations look like?

Management encourages a culture of exploration and risk taking.
A market action oriented philosophy drives company leaders and staff.
A shred belief that the only reason a company has to exist is to serve a customer.
Hires for all levels from outside the organization.
Often use outside consultants to bring a new perspective.
Actively promotes job rotation and project teams to develop individuals.
Seeks ways to expose staff to new ideas and perspectives.
Encourages active networking and collaboration with outsiders.
Allows mistakes to be made without recrimination.
Openly rewards healthy rule breaking and policy defiance.
Individual’s knowledge sharing is promoted and rewarded.

KEY ISSUE: Some years ago on my appointment as manager to my first finance company branch, I was sent (as was their tradition), to a five-week, in-house, management-training programme. On my return to work I had gained some insights on how to improve my area of responsibility. When I attempted to implement the changes the boss’s reaction was, ‘the way we are doing things now is just fine, we all feel like that after ‘the course’, you’ll get over it in a few weeks, just get on with the job’.

Many equate training people with being a learning organization. Training people is imperative; however, the new skills and knowledge gained from the training must lead to a change in how the organization operates. A change in the organization’s behaviour and implementation of new ways of doing things based on what has been learned is the only true sign that you really are a learning organization.

A Royal Indulgence!

Picture yourself being thoroughly indulged, pampered to the point of no return, treated like Royal guests by traditionally dressed Thai staff, bathed in flower-strewn aromatic waters to the sounds of Thai, or ocean and dolphin music, moisturized, oiled, massaged, Chiang Mai honey mud masked, Thai fruit and herbal body wrapped, or Siamese herbal body scrubbed then herbal aroma-steamed.

All this in an atmosphere of loving kindness and Lanna Thai style exclusive luxury. Would you last the distance? It takes three hours and I swear it takes ten years off your looks.

Let me take you on an indulgent, sybaritic, fantasy tour. You are given the Royal treatment from the moment you arrive to book into the spa, even downstairs in reception. First you are greeted with welcoming smiles, presented with Thai cotton robes and slippers, Lanna Thai style sarongs, and directed to personal lockers in the change room. Next your gracious spa hostess escorts you upstairs, serves you with hot spicy ginger tea, helps you select the aromatic oil suitable to your mood that day, and ensures you arrive in the spa treatment area safely. Mind you, who would get lost with all these promised delights ahead.

Through the frosted glass double doors and there certainly is a surprise in store, already bemused by the row of traditionally dressed Thai beauties wai-ing greetings, you are admitted to a bygone Thai dream time. Teak massage beds with bowls of flowers, Lanna style art and sculptures, bamboo blinds shading a breathtaking orchid strewn spa, piles of fresh fluffy, royal blue towels, a palm bedecked private shower, soft music, aromatic burners, scented hand towels and iced water or ginger tea served on trays. This is a hedonist’s heaven. (Possibly the only thing missing is the French champagne! Sorry Sir, we haven’t served that vintage here since 1959! Like the song, this is really a place that you can check out any time you like but you can never really leave!)

Then it is your preference, Sir or Madame, which of the sinful delights are you going to indulge in. What will it be for you Sir, an Esaan foot massage, or a herbal aroma-steam perhaps? Well never mind, mai pen lai, Madame just has to have it all, the three-hour Purity Rejuvenation. The most difficult part is choosing the selection and order of four treatments from the variety offered.

Yes well, maybe the aromatic healing bath sounds like a luxurious sensual soak to linger and unwind in first. No, not the aquamarine, the ylang ylang and orchid flowers is fine! I am sure I can float blissfully in here meditating for half a lifetime.

Choices, choices, what would Madame like next? A Royal Siamese Body Massage? Oooh Yes, already orbiting, this blend of traditional Thai Yoga (your choice for gentle bow-bow or not) and herbal aroma massage has you floating in another dimension after an hour. I don’t think Madame wants to be scrubbed after this bliss, so let’s opt for the wrap here.

This may be a problem, as discerning sober choices are needed. A previously selected, cooling, aloe, cucumber, mint and lime, body wrap can be just that - cool to the point of shocking. Far better to opt for the Papaya, lemon and sesame body polish, of course if being covered in fruit and veg is your thing. O.K nobody there to lick it off, still the hot showers are a bonus. Perhaps the Siamese Herbal body scrub would have been better after all than being slathered & wrapped in iced salad for an hour.

Floating blissfully in the ylang ylang and orchid flowers aromatic healing bath.

Washed and polished, pampered and petted, what better way to finish off with than a Chiang Mai Honey Mud mask? Was that what it was? It is very difficult to tell when you are lying prone under layers of cucumber. At ten-minute intervals the Thai massage therapist intersperses cold towel treatments with what seems to be cucumber, honey, toothpaste, ginger and more ginger. Finally you are rinsed and dried. Away with the fairies, somewhere in heaven, you know it has been worthwhile!

The glad tidings are that all of this decadence is available here in Pattaya folks and though Royal, there is no need to pay a King’s ransom for it either. At the Royal Garden Spa, 3,200 Baht is all it is for this perfect rejuvenation package, with a fifty percent reduction for those wanting to take up the first 2 months introductory offer. Special and rejuvenating it certainly is.

The philosophy behind the newly opened spa is probably a first for Thailand. It is uniquely Thai in its natural healing treatments, using all Thai herbs, oils fruits and flowers. Although there are other spas throughout Thailand most of them use European methods. These centuries old traditional treatments, used by both the Thai people and the monks, have been researched over the last two years in Chiang Mai and brought down to us here by the generous and delightful Sean and Hannah Panton. They are the new Director and Spa Manager for the Royal Garden Spa and Fitness Club. “Our herbal treatments date back to the old Kingdom of Thailand. We have done a lot of research into the secret remedies and are excited to have been able to preserve some of these ancient herbal treatments from the temples and the Thai peoples. They are traditionally used to purify the spirit as well as treat, heal, revive and restore the body” said Sean.

Hanna showed me the Thai herbs and oils used in their aromatic oils. A delightfully wide choice of inspiring sandalwood, cooling wild mint, calming and warming Prai (a Thai ginger root), heady ylang ylang, spicy analgesic nutmeg, toning lemon grass, uplifting tangerine and cleansing turmeric.

The fruits and vegetables used for body wraps and scrubs and facials are all made up from fresh ingredients in front of you. There are delectable choices of aloe, cucumber, mint and lime juice, or papaya, lemon and sesame, honey and mud, or prai and khamin root. Wow! The choice is yours; can you last the distance?

One last tip. If you haven’t got three hours free, you can chose each item individually and be pampered for an hour at a time. But do try it. You deserve the best!

The Beloved King Chulalongkorn

On Saturday, October 23rd, the Kingdom of Thailand will observe King Chulalongkorn Day. The following is a brief description of the Beloved King’s reign.

His Majesty King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V) was born in 1853, the son of His Majesty King Mongkut (Rama IV) and Her Majesty Queen Thep Sirinthorn. In 1868, He was given the title Duke ‘Meun Phikhartnaresueansurasangkas.’

King Chulalongkorn was instrumental in modernizing the Kingdom of Thailand. He is accredited with many accomplishments, including the establishment of the Council of State, which met to consult with the King on various issues such as the abolishment of slavery and tax collection. A Privy Council was also established to provide council on governmental matters. This was accomplished by setting up 12 different ministries. A government administration system was also set up throughout the Kingdom complete with a court system and police enforcement.

Government sponsored education was enacted by King Chulalongkorn in 1884 with an educational department that later developed into the Ministry of Education. The King also enacted a law to administer Buddhism with the King as the Supreme Commander of the clergy, and a senior monk was appointed to administrate the affairs in the temples throughout the country. At the same time the first document was created listing administrative activities within the temple.

The forerunner to the finance ministry was instituted to maintain the resources produced in the Kingdom along with two new departments responsible for irrigation and forestry. The first hospital was established, the Sirirat Hospital, which is still in operation this day. Also established during His reign were the postal and telegraph systems.

To many, the most notable of his achievements was the contacts He made with foreign countries. He made many personal visits abroad to Singapore, India, Indonesia and two trips to Europe. Many persons from the Royal Court were educated abroad, and a number of foreigners performed advisory roles for His Majesty.

His Majesty King Chulalongkorn the Great is beloved of Thai people and considered a truly ‘enlightened’ ruler among historians. His Majesty died on October 23rd, 1910, after the second longest reign in the history of the Thai nation.

He is remembered and loved by the Thai people and the date of his death is commemorated every year. Ceremonies are held, offerings are made to his memory and the entire student body from the university which bears his name perform obeisance before his statue.

Biggest pot of Tom Yam Kung in the world

To be featured at the Amazing Thai Shrimp Festival

Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai and representatives of the Guiness Book of records will be present to witness the of making the biggest pot of tom yam kung in the world.

This feat will be part of the Amazing Thai Shrimp Festival, which will indeed be held on over the weekend of November 18th. Shrimps of all shapes and sizes, not to mention tastes, will be the speciality of the festival. The Tourism Authority of Thailand, the ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Industry are co-organising this event, which, if all goes well, will be talked about by the peoples of the world.

The fair will stretch along Beach Road from Soi 4 down to Mike’s Shopping Mall. Along the beach, stalls serving shrimp of every different style will be set up. Fish and shrimp products will also be on sale.

A competition for the No. 1 “Young Working Woman” will be held, along with live concerts by leading Thai artists performing classical and folk music. A Beach basketball tournament will also be organized by the Amateur Basketball Association of Thailand.

The highlight of the festivities would be the setting up of the biggest Tom Yam Pot in the world. The design calls for a pot 3 metres in diameter and 1.20 meters high. The volume of this humongous pot is 4900 liters. This is hoped to be registered in the Guinness book of records. Dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps have pledged to be present at this world event.

The opening ceremony will be one of the most colorful in the history of all floats in Pattaya, and Pattaya City will take this opportunity to invite Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai to perform the opening ceremony on Beach Road. The constructors have promised to finish and pave Beach Road to perfection so as to be worthy of this auspicious occasion.

Sawang Boriboon Foundation celebrated its 51st anniversary during the Chinese Vegetarian Festival

The Sawang Boriboon Foundation celebrated its 51st Anniversary by jointly hosting an annual Chinese Vegetarian Festival (Kin Jae) from 8-17 October 1999. This year’s Vegetarian Festival was greater than the past festivals, as it also incorporated celebrating His Majesty King Bhumibol’s 72nd birthday and Sixth Cycle.

Marchers parade in honor of His Majesty the King and to support the anti-drug campaign.

During the celebration, the Sawang Boriboon Foundation presented a buffet of vegetarian food for the public to sample and enjoy. The free vegetarian delights were set up in the Foundation’s cafeteria from 08:00 am to noon and in the evening from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm, from 8-17 October.

Vice Chairman of the Sawang Boriboon Foundation Banjong Khanawatanakul presided over a parade, which began in Naklua at precisely 08:19 am on 10 October. The parade wound through the area, stopping at the Sawang Boriboon Foundation complex. The parade of floats and marchers, almost 2 kilometers long, started out again at 14:09 p.m. and headed down Beach Road towards South Pattaya.

The parade had more than 30 groups marching, with displays honoring His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s coming birthday, students carrying banners supporting the anti-drug campaign, bands playing, golden dragons and lions prancing along and representatives from the Chinese shrines in Pattaya.

The Chinese Goddess Chao Mae Kuan Im is included in the Chinese Vegetarian Festival.

Chinese and Thai with Chinese ancestry have been celebrating the Chinese Vegetarian Festival for almost 1,000 years. The festival is held during the 9th month of the Chinese calendar for nine days when nine angels come down to earth to help spread peace and tranquility.

According to Buddhist and Hindu beliefs, the angels are from the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn (days of the week) and two other angel spirits, or the “Bodhisattva” (meaning the enlightened ones who chose to stay on earth and teach). The Bodhisattvas represent Ketu and Rahu, which are the two opposite poles on the moon.

The Chinese believe a calamity occurred in the past that lasted for nine days and nine nights, causing many humans and animals to perish. An old lady of virtue prayed to the Gods asking for forgiveness and not to allow another similar disaster to occur. At one point she collapsed and everyone thought she died. But the virgin lady awakened into a young maiden, causing everyone from then on to believe the Chinese Goddess Mae Kuan Im entered her body. From then on the belief includes Mae Kuan Im and the other Gods come to assist the many unidentified souls lost during the disaster.

The ceremonies during the first day of the festival inviting the spirit angels to come down and join the mortals on earth during the festival.

For those who hold to the beliefs associated with the Chinese Vegetarian Festival, the following actions are adhered to: refraining from: sexual desires, killing any living entity, stealing, lying, and ingesting any type of intoxicants. Purity is followed by maintaining cleanliness both in body and spirit. Those people entering temples or shrines wear white clothing and bring flowers, candles and joss sticks to pay homage to various Gods.

Flags are flown to announce to the world the ceremony has begun. The first flag calls the angels from all directions to participate, and the second flag calls out to all evil entities and spirits in the world to join in as well.

There is also a ceremony similar to Loi Krathong, with offerings going to all spirits. Another type of offering is made later with donated items presented for anyone in need, including rice and other food.

The Sawang Boriboon Foundation was started in 1948 by Mr. Phaiwan Sri Bunruang, Mr. Wo Sae Khwo and Mr. Bakthiang Sae Sing. The current Chairman of the Foundation is Mr. Wisit Chavalit-Nititham. The Sawang Boriboon Foundation is one of 46 different foundations or associations in Thailand performing charitable activities including rescue unit assistance on the roadways and during floods, and maintaining and preparing bodies for funeral purposes.

Duilio’s had a face-lift!

by Elfi

It is true; Duilio’s had a facelift! It happened quite a few weeks ago - and Duilio himself doesn’t even deny it! No, as a matter of fact he is very proud of it because it really improved the looks. Well, we are not actually talking about Duilio but about Duilio’s Restaurant, located next to Foodland.

As soon as you enter the main door to the restaurant, the Pizzeria on the right hand side will catch your eyes immediately. Prepared to serve customers buying take-away food, bar stools are set up along the long counter and small tables invite people to sit down and enjoy a freshly brewed coffee or cappuccino while waiting for the oven-fresh pizza, or what-ever-kind-of-food you would like to take home. Sitting there, it is also the right spot for the best view of Duilio’s Internet Caf้, a neatly set-up office-type caf้ - with the lowest rates in town, as Duilio told us, for only 2 Baht per minute.

Now, if somebody decides to eat at the restaurant, there are a lot of other choices at Duilio’s. Right next to the Internet Caf้ is “Caf้ Roma”, a cozy garden-bar and a welcome addition to the restaurant. A large TV screen invites you to look at a movie and a pool table might just tempt you to play a game with your family, your friends or even with somebody who just happens to be there.

One more rather new feature at Duilio’s is the deli-counter right next to the back entrance where you can choose all kinds of delicatessen items, including genuine Italian ice cream. Besides all those new additions, the open-air - plus the air-conditioned restaurant is, of course still at the same place, looking as good as ever. It was there where I decided to order my food. Not sure what I should order, I asked Duilio what’s the best dish in his place. He answered simply, “You will have to spend quite a long time here, since everything I serve is the best”. Not having that much time, I decided on a “Pizza Parmigiano” - which was really the best I’ve ever tried.

Over the past few years, Duilio’s Restaurant in Pattaya can be counted amongst the area’s more renowned places. Before long, Duilio’s in Bangkok will be just as famous! Duilio’s Bangkok recently opened in Soi 49, just a few steps from Sukhumvit Road. The combined indoor, outdoor restaurant has space for around 100 people and, very important in Bangkok, has valet parking. Of course, there is also a huge, 10m long Pizzeria counter with an original firewood oven and take-away, plus home-delivery service, which is, as Duilio admits with a wink, already is a great business there.

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Updated by Boonsiri Suansuk.