Banks and businesses to close in observance of holiday
Chakri Day (April 6) was first instituted by H.M. King
Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in the year 1919 to commemorate all the Kings in
the Chakri Dynasty, which started with Rama I and continues to this day
with Rama IX, H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.
The reigning Kings in the House of Chakri brought peace and tranquility
to the people within Thailand’s borders and successfully protected the
Kingdom, maintaining sovereignty and integrity through crucial periods
threatened by European colonization and two World Wars.
In commemorating Chakri Day, the national flag is proudly displayed by
the people of Thailand and both government officials and members of the
community participate in traditional ceremonies, making offerings of
flowers and garlands at the many statues of Kings in the House of
Chakri.
The Chakri Dynasty, or the House of Chakri, followed the reign of King
Taksin the Great, when He abdicated due to poor health. The Chakri
Dynasty was ushered in on 6 April 1782 when a close aid of King Taksin,
General Chakri, marched back into Thonburi and assumed the throne as
H.M. King Buddhayodfa the Great. Each Monarch thereafter has had Rama as
part of their title.
Banks, government offices and most business offices will close on
Thursday, April 6 in observance of this special day.
Chakri Dynasty - Chronology of the
present-day Dynasty of Thailand
King Buddhayodfa
the Great (Rama I) 1782-1809
Rama I
The first King of the Chakri Dynasty moved the capital
city from Thonburi to Bangkok and built the Grand Palace that houses the
Emerald Buddha. Helped release Thailand from Burmese control after
Ayuthaya succumbed 14 years earlier.
King Buddhaloetla (Rama II)
1809-1824
Rama II
The first great poet king of the Chakri Dynasty,
renowned for his literature.
King Nangklao (Rama III) 1824-1851
Rama III
Extensively encouraged international trading and
education, enhanced promotion of Buddhism and built many temples.
King Mongkut
(Rama IV) 1851-1868
Rama IV
Modernized Thailand in both commerce and education.
Known as the “Father of Thai Scientists” and famous for his astrology.
King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V) 1868-1910
Rama V
One of the most beloved and revered kings, He
abolished slavery, extensively contacted the Western world, modernized
the government, education, transportation, and communication. His
diplomacy skills saved Thailand from being colonized during colonial
period.
King Vajiravudh
(Rama VI) 1910-1925
Rama VI
A great poet king. Continued the work of Rama V in
modernizing Thailand. Promoted education and established the Boy Scouts
in Thailand.
King Prajadhipok (Rama VII)
1925-1935
Rama VII
Granted the Constitution to Thailand in 1932. Thailand
changed from Absolute Monarchy to Constitutional Monarchy.
King Ananda Mahidol
(Rama VIII),
1935-1946
Rama VIII
A direct grandson of King Rama V.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej
the Great (Rama IX) 1946 to the present
Rama IX
A true monarch of the people and guiding light for the
whole Thai nation. Saved Thailand from many crises, dedicated to raising
the living standards of the poor, especially in remote regions.
Caspian Pike
Attending an “exclusive wine tasting” last week as a fortunate guest
of the Royal Cliff Wine Club, which featured a total of 9 wines from
Hardys of Australia, was a serene, delightful and educational way to
spend the early evening.
Left to right: Ranjith
Chandrasiri, president of the Royal Cliff Wine Club & deputy general
manager of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort; Matthew Morrissy, S.E.A.
regional manager, Constellation Wines International and guest speaker of
the wine tasting event; and Pongsak Tiamsuttikarn, senior sales manager,
Ambrose Wine Ltd.
Co-sponsored by Ambrose Wine Ltd, the assembled
aficionados of all that is bold, effervescent, vivacious, and vogue in
the vineyards of one of the world’s best loved and fastest growing wine
making countries, were introduced to new experiences of the palette by
the handsome, erudite and outrageously young South East Asian regional
manager for Constellation Wines International, Matthew Morrissy.
Here, I must admit to a slight bias. A few years ago, I made a
pilgrimage to the Barossa Valley and found myself lost in a tranquil and
magical world, surrounded by aromas, sensations and names of wines
familiar and unfamiliar, all equally seductive. Listening to the silken
tones of Ranjith Chandrasiri, president of the Royal Cliff Wine Club,
the flavours of that glorious period of Barossa seclusion came flooding
back to me.
John Blogg; Don Earnshaw;
Brenda Earnshaw and Rita Blogg are ready for the wine tasting.
There was something effortlessly civilised about what
we were doing. Considering, cogitating, reflecting, ruminating,
listening to the whispered words of our hearts. My partner conjectured
that surely Bacchus would have approved. Smiling, I thought. The lovely
thing about wine tasting is that it’s a dedicated time to savour
something special, to meditate on one of the great pleasures life can
bestow. Indulging unashamedly in the sensation of taste. I was learning
a great deal. I never thought of myself as an authority on wine, but had
previously considered myself quietly knowledgeable. Matthew Morrissy’s
fountain of information, ranging from the technical to the aesthetic,
went some way to quenching my thirst but also succeeded in creating a
desire to learn more, and taste more.
Pauline
Morrison & David Morrison (Clough Sino-Thai Co., Ltd.) taste one of the
nicer whites.
In convivial company, conversations ambled easily. A citrus Stonehaven
Chardonnay (2005) was described as “easy drinking”. I liked that idea a
lot. You’ve got “easy listening” and “easy reading” so I suppose it’s a
natural progression. I certainly wasn’t experiencing any difficulty.
Having said that, my wine education took a sharp upward turn when I
encountered a pungent nose from a “Stepping Stone” Coonawara Cabernet
Sauvignon (2002). I was forcibly reminded of a pair of old socks filled
with blue cheese. Ah, but the secrets held within! My palette received
the wine with sumptuous surprise. It was rich and earthy with a more
than a hint of vanilla and a lingering after taste.
Matthew Morrissy suggested suitable condiment companions for the wines,
with delicacy and imagination. I loved the detail of the consideration,
which would pluck characteristics from a wine and seek and find a
complimentary dish. Marvellous. Questions from an increasingly voluble
audience included the various merits of screw top bottles as opposed to
corks. For me, there’s something about the ritual of pulling a cork
which I wouldn’t want to go without.
In 1850, at the age of 20, Thomas Hardy came to the new colony of South
Australia from Devon, England. He established a winery on the banks of
Adelaide’s River Torrens in 1853. His Bankside winery was the start of
an outstanding family wine business that grew to become one of the
world’s great wine companies. Hardy was a self-made man, a pioneer of
immense character. With a mixture of energy, determination, shrewd
judgment, innovation and a touch of daring, he pursued the highest
standards in winemaking. At Bankside, and later at his McLaren Vale
property Tintara, he focused on quality and craftsmanship.
The final wine of the evening was the Tintara Cabernet Sauvignon (2000).
Here was a suggestion of spice, a smooth after taste and undulating
flavours which took me to another place entirely. This was the wine for
me. That and the citrus Chardonnay found their way in considerable and
very reasonably priced quantities into my car.
Paul Strachan and Andrew
Watson of Pattaya Mail on TV enjoy the evening.
Peter Herning, Gina
Herning and Alexander Haeusler, general manager, Royal Cliff Beach
Resort toast to your health.
Janet Smith and Richard
Smith (Pattaya City Expats Club) are having a good time.
Wine Club members ham for
the camera.
Left to right: Chitra
Chandrasiri, Robert Taylor and Trina Taylor – what could be better than
a night like this?
Kavita Singh and Lara
Abou-Chakra brighten the night.
Wine Club members and
their spouses join the exclusive wine tasting event.
