baan burih muang (บานบุรีม่วง) See ban buri muang. Thai. Buddhist monk's alms bowl. They have been in use for over 2,500 years and are still so today, for early morning bintabaat or alms-gathering by monks (fig.). The process of alms bowl making is time-consuming allowing only a couple of bowls a day to be completed. It is assembled of eight pieces of metal, representing the eight spokes of the dhammachakka, the Buddhist Wheel of Law, and the Eightfold Path (fig.). A first metal strip is beaten into a circular form to make the rim. Then three pieces are beaten to form a cross-like convex framework, with four triangular pieces fitting in to complete the sides. The bowl is then welded in a kiln and shaped. Afterwards it is repeatedly rubbed smooth and heated again to make its surface gleam (fig.). Alms bowls are still made today in Bangkok's Ban Baat or 'Alms Bowl Village', off Bamrung Meuang Road in Pomprap Sattruphai district. They can be covered with a lid called fah baat.
Another name for narok. Chinese for 'eight trigrams'. 1. Thai. Currency unit of Thailand, made up of one hundred satang.
The current main coins are those of 1
baht (fig.)
depicting
Wat Phra Kaew
(fig.),
2 baht (fig.)
depicting
2. Thai. A unit of weight used by jewelers and apothecaries in Thailand, equal to 15 grams. 3. A line of a Thai verse. 4. Thai-Rajasap for 'foot', as in chalong phra baht. Also Phrabaht. Thai. The dried leaves of the nipa palm (fig.) are used for thatching and to roll cigarettes, but fresh they are used to wrap sweetmeats called kanom jahk (fig.) and as an ingredient in alcohol.
Thai. 'Palm leaves'. Ancient palm leaf manuscripts carrying Buddhist scriptures. The palm leaves were first trimmed into long sheets and then engraved by scratching the text into the leaf with a needle, the ink being rubbed in afterwards. They are kept folded between two wooden covers decorated with gold leaf and measuring around forty by eight cms. Because of their fragile nature they are preserved in specially designed scripture cabinets coated with protective lacquer.
bai raka (ใบระกา) Thai. The ornamental crest running along the ridge of the two sloping edges of a traditional gable roof, as seen on most Buddhist temples and palaces. On Buddhist temples it starts beneath the chofa (fig.) and at the lower end usually ends with an antefix (fig.) often in the form of a hang hongse (fig.), whereas in traditional houses it usually ends with a ngao (fig.). The bai raka also occurs in Thai palaces (fig.). Most temples show a combination of a chofa, bai raka and a hang hongse (fig.).
bai sema (ใบเสมา) 1. Thai. Stone boundary markers at the eight cardinal points around a bot. They demarcate the consecrated ground on which the bot is constructed. Bai sema may be placed singly or in pairs. If in pairs they may signify that the temple was of royal origin (fig.), or that it has undergone major renovation, or is built on the site of a former bot. The bai sema often have the shape of a bodhi tree leaf and are sometimes sheltered under a small mondop-like structure (fig.). They are usually carved with decorative motives and are placed on top of the look nimit which are buried in the ground. Also sema.
2. Thai. Battlements surrounding a city or temple. Also sema.
bai sri (บายศรี) Thai. An offering of cooked rice under a conical arrangement
of folded leaves and flowers, sometimes topped with a boiled egg like some kreuang bucha (fig.),
and used during weddings and other auspicious
ceremonies.
bai toey hom (ใบเตยหอม) Thai. The leaf of a pandanus. Thai. 'Blade of Jade'. Name for Thailand's tallest tower, generally known as the Baiyoke Sky Tower or Baiyoke Sky Hotel (fig.). As a hotel it also claims to be the highest in the world. The building stands in Bangkok and is 309 meters tall, and its piling runs 65 meters deep underground, about the height of a 22 storey building. It has a Sky Walk revolving roof deck on the 84th top floor offering a panorama of the city (fig.). There are altogether 2,060 steps from the bottom to the top, which take a healthy person about one hour to climb. Of course there are lifts as well and the outer one takes about one minute to the 77th floor observation deck. The area inside the building totals 179,400 m², or about 30 football fields. There are a total of 1,740 windowpanes used in the building. The hotel offers several sky view restaurants.
Temple dedicated to the god Shiva and built by king Yasovarman I at the beginning of the 10th century AD in the Khmer capital Angkor. The horse that the merchant Samhala rescued and that embodied one of the former incarnations of the Buddha. Balarama (बलराम) The older brother of Krishna and avatar of Vishnu. Bali (พาลี) Thai. A king of the monkeys and a brother of the monkey king Sugriva who usurped his throne, in the Thai epic Ramakien. In the Ramayana he is known by his Sanskrit name Vali and in Thai his name is pronounced 'Phali'. Thai name for the island of Bali, Indonesia. Giant plant that grows up to 15 meters high, belonging to the family of grasses with the Latin name bambusa vulgaris. Its hollow stem is made up of jointed segments and its elongated leaves are of a glossy green to yellow colour. Its shoots (fig.) are edible and its flexible timber is an important building material, especially in rural areas and among the hill tribes. Bamboo grows rapidly and has a very slow putrefaction process what makes it a very appropriate construction material in a humid environment and climate. Its hollow stem is used amongst others used to make huts, rafts, pipes for water supply, fences, etc. By splitting the cylindrical trunk it can be unfolded and used as to make a floor, wall, mats, etc. Besides this the separate compartments are very suitable to make all kinds of utensil, such as water and food containers, water pipes, animal fodder trough, etc. There are many different varieties, of which some are popular ornamental plants. In Thai phai and mai phai.
See waiolin mai phai. Name of a worm that inhabits the inside of bamboo stems. It is in fact the larva of a moth of the genus omphisa and has quite a long larval stage that lasts for ten months, whilst its adult life as a moth is only less than a week. Therefore most of its lifespan is spent as a larva, inside the bamboo stem. Once becoming a moth it will fly out and try to mate immediately. When this is fulfilled the female moth will lay its eggs on the skin of a bamboo shoot, and dies. Once those eggs have hatched the small grubs will dig into the bamboo shoot peel and start feeding on flakes of bamboo, without actually doing harm to their host. Some -mainly hill tribe- people of Northern Thailand eat the larvae which are collected by cutting down the bamboo. Subsequently they are fried crisp in oil and sold on markets (fig.) for up to 500 baht per kilo. Due to its long train-like body the creature is in Thai nicknamed rot duan, meaning express train.
Indonesian-Thai for egg noodle, noodles made of wheat flour and eggs (in most cases). Bamih is a tick noodle of a yellowish colour and is sold only fresh (not dried). It can be eaten from a bowl with added broth or water (bamih nahm) or boiled -but dry- from a plate (bamih haeng), a form which may also be stir fried. It might be compared to the English chowmein what derives from chao mian, Chinese for fried flour.
An asura that struggled with Krishna and is a son of Bali. Fruit of the banana plant which grows in clusters on an arched, overhanging inflorescence. Attached to this are several combs each numbering around a dozen bananas (fig.). In Thai called gluay, and in Indonesia pisang. There are several kinds, both large and small. A non-woody fruitbearing plant which soft herbaceous stem is made up of leaves that wrap round each other forming what appears to be a trunk and thus causing it often to be mistakenly referred to as a tree. The outer layers can be pealed from the stem which is frequently used as pig food by local farmers, as well as for making krathong (fig.). The plant grows up to several meters high and in Thailand there are many different kinds, either edible or inedible and growing both wild and on farms. It has typical large, flat leaves. The stalk grows upward through the apparent trunk and emerges from the top in the form of an arched overhanging inflorescence, on which the fruits grow. The fruits grow in bunches each having several combs (fig.), and each comb has around a dozen bananas. A slice of its flower bud is often served with phad thai. In Thai ton gluay.
ban buri muang (บานบุรีม่วง) Thai. Climber with the Latin name allamanda violacea. Its flowers are red to purple coloured calyx flowers. Also baan burih muang.
Thai. Non hereditary titles conferred by the sovereign mostly on government officers, such as Luang, Phra, Phrya and Chao Phrya. Thai. A small handheld double-sided drum used in brahmin rites. It is played by swaying so that the two weights that are tied to it with short strings hit both drum sides. The 'o' in bando is pronounced very short. Ban Chiang (บ้านเชียง) A prehistoric civilization in northeast Thailand known for its early bronze metallurgy and clay pottery. Archeological finds of elaborate pottery with distinctive burnt ochre, rust coloured swirl designs painted onto a buff background provide evidence that the indigenous people of Ban Chiang were capable of producing sophisticated works of art. Some of the bronze objects found are thought to date from around 3000 BC, making it possibly the earliest Bronze Age culture in the world.
Thai. 'Village'. Name used for riverside settlements. Found in place names of both large cities and small villages, like Bangkok and Banglamung. bangfai phayanaag (บั้งไฟพญานาค) Thai. 'Fireballs of the Naga'. Annual phenomenon on the Mekong river in Nong Khai, occurring at the end of ouk phansa, during the 15th full moon of the 11th lunar month. Soundless, smokeless and scentless fireballs shoot up from the deepest, Lao side of the river and float silently into the air, tens of meters and sometimes up to 300 meters high, finally evaporating in the inky blackness of the nightly sky. In some years there are only a few, but in 1999 nearly 3,500 fireballs were counted. Some claim them to be a natural phenomenon, others believe these fireballs are caused by a naga that, according to legend, lives in the river, others allege they are man-created. Up to date no verified scientific explanation has been found for this strange phenomenon. An ancient legend tells that when the Buddha returned to earth after teaching his mother in the Tavatimsa heaven at the end of the Buddhist Lent, phayanaag and his followers welcomed him back by blowing fireballs into the sky. 1. Thai-Western name for Krung Thep Maha Nakon, the contemporary capital of Thailand on the estuary of the Chao Phrya river. It covers an area of 1,568.7 km² and is bordered by the Gulf of Thailand and Samut Prakan in the South, Samut Sakon and Nonthaburi in the West, Pathum Thani in the North and Chachengsao in the East. The name is composed of the words bang (a riverside village) and makok (a kind of plum), and refers to a place north of today's centre where the capital was formerly founded. Bangkok (map) is divided into 5 amphur (districts) and 45 khet (zones), with Phra Nakhon at its centre. Although exact numbers are not available, it is sure that the metropolis (fig.) has at least ten million inhabitants; some sources even estimate between 13 and 16 million. The main occupation of its people is civil service, trade, business, industry and agriculture. Its main places of interest include Phra Rachawang (fig.) and Wat Phra Kaew (fig.). Also Rattanakosin and nicknamed the Big Mango, after the Big Apple and derived from the Chinese name for Bangkok, i.e. Mangu.
2. An art style from the Rattanakosin period. Bangkok's elevated train system, usually referred to as BTS or Sky Train. It started its initial service in December 2000. The central terminal is at Siam Square from where lines go in four directions: there are eight stations to the North ending near Chatuchak (at the old Mo Chit bus station); six stations to the South with end station at the Thaksin Bridge; just one station at the National Stadium in the West; and nine stations to the East, stretching to On Nut (Sukhumvit soi 50). Later the southern line was expanded crossing the Chao Phraya River, on to Klong Sahn. It operates from 6.00 AM to midnight. See also Bangkok Metro.
Name of a gigantic bridge in Bangkok, built as part of the Industrial Ring Road project. It is the longest bridge in the Kingdom and the first bridge on the Chao Phraya River when coming from the Gulf of Thailand. It spans a meander loop in the Chao Phraya River and has therefore two major spans and a complex circular intersection in the middle. The complex consists of two major bridge spans, one being 702 meter long with 172 meter high towers, the other 582 meter long and with 162 meter high towers, whereas the bridge part itself is about 52 meter high during the highest tide, to allow clearance for shipping to pass beneath it. It also has 3.5 kilometer of approach bridges and the intersection in the middle has a 2.2 kilometer ramp to connect it with Suksawat Road. Also called Chao Phraya Mega-Bridge and in Thai Sapaan Wongwaen Tai.
Bangkok's underground train system, also known as the MRT Chaleum Ratchamongkhon Line (map). Although to be officially opened on August 9, it commenced its service at the end of June 2004 with a trial period of more than a month. It runs from Hua Lamphong on Rama IV Road to Bang Seua near Chatuchak, a 20 kilometer route with a total of eighteen stations of which three connect onto the Bangkok Mass Transit System. It is run by the Bangkok Metro (Public) Company Limited (BMCL) and operates from 6.00 AM to midnight. In Thai 'rot fai fah tai din' or 'rot fai fah maha nakhon'. Thai. Open air museum approximately 20 kms from Ayutthaya. It has a collection of palace buildings in various architectural styles (fig.). The name is derived from the fact that a former Ayutthaya king met (pa) a girl called 'In' at a riverside village (bang) in this area. Name of a camp in Singburi at the end of the Ayutthaya period where in 1767 a handful of heroic warriors (fig.) offered resistance for five months against a superior force of Burmese troops before being defeated, endorsing the Thai proverb: 'one is unable to extinguish a fire with little water'. The events that happened there have become a Thai classic, used as an example to later generations to show the courage of the Thai people and bare lasting witness to a struggle which was paid for with blood, that is 'blood for soil', words still used today in the national Anthem. Also Ban Rajan.
Thai. One of the royal regalia having the form of a fan. Thai. One of the royal regalia serving as a sunshade. 1. Thai. A yellow robe placed on the coffin by a Buddhist monk just before lighting the pyre. Also the term for performing such a rite. 2. Thai. A requiem chanted by Buddhist monks. Ban Jim Thompsan (บ้าน จิม ทอมป์สัน) Thai name for the Jim Thompson House. Thai. Museum consisting of an old house which was originally constructed in Chiang Mai over 150 years ago. It was donated to the Siam Society by its owners and then reconstructed in Bangkok. It displays items and utensils used by Thai farmers and fishermen. Its garden features different varieties of Thai flowers and plants. It is situated in Soi Asoke off Sukhumvit Road. Museum founded under the auspices of the Fine Arts Department, the Treasury Department and the Thai Coin Museum. It is situated at the Bang Khun Phrom Royal Palace, within the compound of the Bank of Thailand. The museum features a large collection of coins, including ancient coins, photduang coins, Thai coins, etc. It also has a section on Thai banknotes and a room commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Bank of Thailand. In Thai called Phiphithaphan Thanakhaan Haeng Prathet Thai. Thai. 'Throne'. The state throne of a monarch.
Thai. 'Water house'. In the old days each house on the countryside had a small platform with a wooden-tiled roof built to house water containers for guests and passer-bys. Prior to building this water house the landlord conducted a ritual, calling upon the earth goddess. In the past there were usually three or five water containers in one water house, representing the three parts of the Tripitaka or the five buddhas, the past four and one future Maitreya buddha. Nowadays these water houses can still be seen but their roofs are more often than not made with stone tiles and the number of water containers may vary, starting from just one.
Thai. 'To enter the monkhood'. Thai term similar to buat. See Bang Rajan. A Khmer temple with an important surrounding wall, a citadel. Sacred tropical tree with many aerial roots
that develop into additional trunks (fig.).
Its name often refers specifically to the species ficus
bengalensis,
though the term has been generalized to include all figs that share
this unique life cycle and are known by
the informal name of
strangler fig
(fig.).
The name banyan comes from the Gujarati word bania, meaning 'trader'
or 'merchant', and refers to the Indian merchants that would meet
underneath this tree to conduct their business and sell their goods,
as it provided a shaded place.
In
Hinduism it is the tree under which the god Vishnu was born, and in Buddhism it is known as the tree
under which the Buddha stayed for seven days, after gaining Enlightenment. It is
often confused with the bodhi
tree, the tree under which the Buddha sat at the moment he attained bodhiyan or Enlightenment.
Sanskrit. 'Stepped well'. A rectangular well surrounded by steps. 1. An 11th century Khmer temple in Angkor. 2. The 11th century AD school of Khmer art from Angkor. Sanskrit. 'Twelve pillars'. A colonnade, portico or pavilion with columns. Man-made reservoir, basin or lake. Sculpture or cast in low relief, with the figures projecting slightly from the background.
Mouse-like nocturnal flying mammal (fig.). In China it is a symbol for good luck as the pronunciation of fu, the Chinese word for 'bat', echoes the sound of the word foo which means 'good luck'. It therefore often appears in Chinese iconography, e.g. it is held by Zhong Kui, a powerful vanquisher of ghosts and demons (fig.), and the god Fu (Hok) is symbolized as a bat. It also appears in art (fig.) and on furniture, both in its natural form and stylized as a logo (fig.). When five bats are displayed together they stand for fortune, longevity, good health, love and death of natural causes. Bats are believed to bring happiness and peace into one's life.
Indonesian term for textiles painted with patterns in which the parts that need no colouring are being covered with wax. After the material is painted or dyed the layer of wax is removed through boiling. This process (fig.) may be repeated to obtain a multi-colour design.
Latin. Small tropical tree with the Thai name chongkho. See niche. 1. Khmer temple in Angkor Thom, constructed during the reign of king Jayavarman VII. The temple has 37 standing towers, most of them with four gigantic stone faces oriented to the cardinal points. It is believed from old maps and the outlay of the temple complex that there once used to be a total of 54 towers. It is disputed who the faces represent but they might be Lokesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion from Mahayana Buddhism, or perhaps a combination of Jayavarman VII and the Buddha. Bayon was the state-temple of Jayavarman VII and in many ways it represents the pinnacle of his massive building campaign. It somehow appears to be an architectural muddle. This is to some extent due to the fact that its gradual construction lasted for over a century. The temple features bas-reliefs on its exterior walls of the lower level and on the upper level where the stone faces are located. The ones on the southern wall contain scenes from the historical sea battle between the Khmer and the Cham. It is not clear whether this represents the Cham invasion of 1177 AD or a later battle in which the Khmer were victorious. Other carvings show revealing scenes from everyday life such as markets, birth, cockfighting, etc.
2. Khmer school of art from the late 12th to the early 13th centuries AD. A window built in a niche. 'Buddhist Era'. The Theravada tradition claims that the Buddha's parinirvana occurred in the year 544 BC, marking the beginning of the Buddhist era in Burma, Sri Lanka and India. In Thailand, Laos and Cambodia the era begins on the first anniversary of that event, in 543 BC. In Thailand the use of the Buddhist Era was initiated by king Mongkutklao and officially started on 23 February 1912. In Thai Phuttasakkaraht. Name of a species of small colourful birds in the family of meropidae of which Thailand hosts six varieties, being the blue-throated bee-eater, red-bearded bee-eater, blue-bearded bee-eater, little green bee-eater, blue-tailed bee-eater and chestnut-headed bee-eater. They are predominantly aerial insectivores (fig.) feeding on flying insects whilst still on the wing, especially honey bees and wasps which are caught in the air by sallies from an open perch. Remarkably, they ignore flying insects once they have landed. Before eating their prey, they remove its sting by repeatedly hitting it on a hard surface. Their generic name in Thai is nok jahb kah.
Sanskrit. A flat circular stone below the amalaka (fig.) in the finial of a temple in North Indian style. Cambodian. 'Pool'. See Wat Benjamabophit. benjarong (เบญจรงค์) Pali-Sanskrit-Thai. 'Five Colours'. A type of enameled porcelain composed of five colours against a sixth background colour, initially made in China for export to Thailand, but later made in Thailand itself, applying more typical Thai designs. It first appeared in the late Ayutthaya period and continued until the reign of king Rama V, when European designs replaced the benjarong in popularity. Later fewer colours and a white background (fig.) were often used but the manufacturing process (fig.) was similar and the name benjarong continued to apply (fig.). Also bencharong.
Sanskrit. Demon daughter of Phiphek, the chief astrologer of Longka, and Drichada, in the Thai Ramakien. She has learned magical powers from her father, and with these she changes herself, at Totsakan's urging, into Sida. According to the plot she has to play dead near the monkey camp of Phra Ram, hoping that the latter would cease his quest for his beloved and end the battle against the demons. Benyagai visits the captured Sida to study her appearance before changing herself into her. But, the plan fails nonetheless thanks to the sharp attentiveness of Hanuman, and Benyagai is sent back to Longka.
The seed of the
green to yellow-orange coloured fruit (fig.)
of the areca palm (fig.). This acidulous seed is cut into pieces and mixed
with
lime paste,
tobacco,
and sometimes with spices for extra flavouring which is
all wrapped in a
glossy heart-shaped piper betel
leaf (fig.)
and slowly chewed on, releasing a mild stimulant. Note that
the
piper betel
leaf
is not botanically related to the
betel palm
which got its name only by association.
The high fat seed contains alkaloids including areca and tannins including a red colour named catechu. The tanning extracts improve the formation of saliva and the alkaloids have a stimulating effect. Catechu colours the saliva red and the substances in the seed speed up the functions of the heart and improve digestion. Furthermore evaporation via the skin is increased, the gums and palate are strengthened and possible intestinal worms are killed. A side effect however is that the teeth are coloured by a
black lacquer like substance (fig.).
See areca palm. Small containers usually with some instruments used to hold and prepare the ingredients for betel nut chewing, often on a stem-plate or tray with pedestal. The production of betel sets was very popular during the reign of Rama IV and Rama V, mainly in the northeastern provinces of Thailand, Maha Sarakham and Khon Kaen. A betel set was often donated as an offering to monks (fig.) and it was traditional for a groom to give the parents of the bride a betel set. Sets donated by the rich were often made from precious materials, such as silver, tropical hardwood inlayed with mother-of-pearl, bronze, etc., depending on the status of the donor. The ingredients for betel nut chewing are a piece of areca nut, a leaf of the betel palm and calcium carbonate lime paste. Amongst the instruments should be a cutter to slice the nut. The betel nut in Malaysia is known as sirih or penang. In Thai khanmahk and chianmahk.
Khmer-Sanskrit. Name under which the followers of Shivaism from the 5th century AD in Cambodia worshiped the Hindu god Shiva. The king himself would bring honor to special ceremonies in which a sacred mountain was climbed at night and a rite was performed in which, according to rumors of Chinese inhabitants at Angkor, human sacrifices were also involved. Bhadrakali (भद्रकाली) Sanskrit. Tantric goddess who is the consort of Bhairava.
bhadrapitha (भद्रपीठ) Sanskrit. 'Auspicious seat' or 'blessed throne'. A rectangular pedestal for a deity, used in art. Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता) Sanskrit. 'Song of the divine Lord', revealed by Krishna in the Mahabharata. Hindu religious text prescribing a moral and ethical code of behavior emphasizing the merit of selfless service and devotion. The text is in the form of a conversation between Krishna and Arjuna, taking place just before the battle of Kurukshetra. Bhairava (भैरव) Sanskrit. 'Terrible'. The Hindu god Shiva in his more fearful appearance as a ten armed creature wearing a bone necklace, and a skull as a hair ornament. See also Mahakali (fig.). Sanskrit. 'Terror'. One of the evil forms of Devi, consort of Shiva. See also Mahakali (fig.). Thai-Sanskrit. Name of a buddha from Mahayana Buddhism who attained Enlightenment before the historical Sakyamuni Buddha of whom he represents the healing aspect. He is therefore also known as the Master of Healing or Medicine Buddha. When he was still a bodhisattva he made twelve vows to always help all living beings to be free from illness once he would attain Enlightenment and thus became the embodiment of the wish to free all beings from all illnesses, both physically, mentally and spiritually. In Chinese tradition he is often depicted together with the Sakyamuni and Amitabha Buddhas, a representation known as the trinity Buddhas (fig.). His full name, Bhaisajyaguru Vaiduryaprabha, means 'Medicine Guru Lapis Lazuli Light' or 'Medicine Teacher whose Light is that of Lapis Lazuli'. Lapis Lazuli is the name of a semi-precious stone of an intense blue colour and it refers here to Bhaisajyaguru's complexion which is dark blue. In China he is called Yaoshifo. bhakti (भक्ति) Sanskrit. 'Devotion'. A kind of worship in which one seeks unification with a personal god through intense devotion, thus hoping to free the soul. Bharat (भरत) Sanskrit. The old and official name for India which derives from Bharata. Bharata (भरत) 1.
Sanskrit.
2 A popular Javanese appearance of Shiva as a fat ascetic with a beard and plaited hair. His attributes can be a jar, rosary, or a fly whisk. At some stage worshiped in Java as the rishi Agastya. Bhavani (भाविनी) Sanskrit. 'Provider of life'. The female creator, one of the benevolent forms of Devi, consort to Shiva. Sanskrit. Term for a Buddhist monk who lives as an ascetic, without a dwelling place. An ordained Buddhist monk, a religious mendicant (fig.). Also bhiksu. See also bintabaat. Sanskrit. Feminine form of a bhikku, a Buddhist nun. In Thailand they are called naang chie and mae chie, but are lay persons without official status. bhiksu (भिक्षु) Pali. Word derived from the Sanskrit word bhikku for a Buddhist monk who lives as an ascetic, without a dwelling place. Bhima (भीम) Sanskrit. Important character and protagonist in the Indian epic the Mahabarata, famous for his strength and bravery. He belongs to the tribe of the Pandavas, involved in the battle of Kurukshetra. He is of enormous size and usually depicted carrying a club. He is the son of Vayu, the Vedic god of wind or air. Also called Bhimsena. Sanskrit. Son of Vayu, the Vedic god of wind or air. An important character in the Indian epic the Mahabarata, famous for his strength and bravery. He is of vast size and usually depicted carrying a club. He is also called Bhima. bhumi (भूमि) 1. Pali. 'Earth'. 2. Term that refers to a horizontal molding running down the length of a shikhara, the spire of a North Indian temple. Bhumidevi (ภูมิเทวิ) Pali-Thai. 'Goddess of the earth'. One of Vishnu's two consorts in Hindu mythology. In Buddhism the goddess of the earth is Mae Phra Thoranee. See Bhumipon Adunyadet. Bhumipon Adunyadet (ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช) Ninth king of the Chakri dynasty in Thailand with the crown title Rama IX. He was born in Massachusetts (USA) on Monday 5 December 1927, the second son to prince Mahidon Adundet, the Krom Luang of Songkhla Nakarin, and princess Sri Sangwahn. He is the longest reigning monarch, succeeding his older brother Ananda who was found shot dead in his bed. In 2006 the Thai nation celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of the king's accession to the throne. Though only formally crowned king after his marriage to Sirikit Kitthiyagon, on 5 May 1950. The anniversary of the king's coronation is celebrated throughout the kingdom on December 5 and is called Wan Chaleum Phra Chonma Phansa in Thai. Often transcribed Bhumipol Adulyadej. The king has -amongst others- a Bangkok street, a bridge and a water dam (fig.) named after him.
bhumisparsa (भूमिस्पर्श) Pali. 'Touching the earth'. The most common mudra (fig.) in Thai Buddhist sculpture, meaning 'touching the earth' and also known as maravijaya, 'victory over Mara'. It symbolizes the episode in Buddha's legendary life story when he sat in meditation under a fig tree in Bodh Gaya and vowed not to move from the spot until he gained Enlightenment. Mara, the god of Desire and Death tried to interrupt by invoking a series of distractions and temptations, including young maidens. Reaching down to earth with his right hand (fig.), Buddha summoned the help of the earth goddess Mae Phra Thoranee, who rose to his aid, wringing water from her long hair and washing away Mara and his army. Buddha was hence saved from the temptation of desire whilst he called upon the earth to bear witness of his accumulated merits from former lives. Buddha images in Thailand usually make this mudra while seated in half lotus position (fig.), where as Buddha images in Burmese style are usually seated in (full) lotus position (fig.). In rare instances this mudra might be portrayed in combination with a pahng nahg prok position (fig.). A Buddha image in this pose is also used in the Phra prajam wan system as an additional image for those who do not know the day on which they were born.
1. Thai. A cowrie shell, formerly used as money with an monetary unit equal to one-hundredth of an at. 2. Thai. A counter used in gambling. Compare with pih. Chinese for firecracker. Name of a Chinese wealth god. He was a faithful civilian official and the uncle of the tyrannical and concupiscent Emperor Zhou of the Shang Dynasty, for whom he took charge of the Imperial finances. Legend has it that to prove his loyalty he took out his heart and presented it to the Emperor by throwing it on the floor. But other sources say Bi Gan tried to rectify the Emperor who consequently killed him cruelly by taking his heart out to check if he perhaps was a saint, as it was believed that a saint’s heart has seven ventricles. Having no heart Bi Gan was impartial in the distribution of the Emperor’s wealth amongst the people and so became a Chinese civilian wealth deity. He is also called Wen Cai Shen, the 'formal god of wealth' who is also referred to as the 'true god of wealth'. A farang designation for Bangkok, after the 'Big Apple', New York. It derives from the Chinese name for Bangkok, i.e. Mangu. See also mango. An infection caused by small microscopic flatworm parasites that burrow through the skin. These move through the body via the blood towards the liver. There they produce eggs that travel further via the blood vessels and settle in the intestines and bladder where they cause serious abdominal pains. Swimming in contaminated water, eating poorly cooked fish or snails, as done by the local population, is the main cause of this infection, as the fish and snails are often carriers of this parasite. The region of Sakon Nakhon in Northeast Thailand is known as the place with the most registered cases of bilharzia in the world. Wife of prince Siddhartha with whom he had his son Rahula at the age of twenty nine. She was the daughter of Suprabuddha, prince of Devadaha castle and a brother of the deceased queen Maha Maya. Also known as Gopa and Yashodhara. Thai. 'To beg'. A Buddhist monk will go about with an alms bowl (baat) to receive food. Thai mendicant monks are only allowed to consume food that is offered to them and before noon. They usually start their round at sunrise (fig.) and walk barefoot. Offering food to monks is a popular way for lay people to make merit (boon). Compare with tak baat.
Chinese.
Name of a
A subgroup of the Lahu people who are again divided into two clans, that are distinguished by different languages and traditions, one of which is known as Lahu Shehleh and the other as Lahu Na. The male dress consists of black culottes (fig.). The women wear a long black silk-like gown, trimmed with white and has sleeves with coloured bands, that indicate which tribe they belong to. They are also called Lahu Na and Mussur Dam. MORE ON THIS.
Name of an evergreen vine which is also known as the bag flower. It has deep crimson flowers that emerge from pure white, bell-shaped calyces. Its Latin name is clerodendrum thomsoniae. In Thai mangkon khaap kaew, a 'dragon with a crystal in its mouth'.
One of the avatars of the Hindu god Vishnu, incarnated in the form of a boar, known as Varaha. bodh (โพธิ์) Sanskrit-Thai. The perfect knowledge or Enlightenment which enables one to become a buddha. Also bodhiyan and bodhi. In Thai also poh. See Bodh Gaya. Sanskrit. The place in Bihar state of North India where the Buddha attained bodh, near the town of Gaya. Now an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhist worshippers. The emperor Asohk erected a monument at this spot which was later destroyed and rebuilt as the Mahabodhi pagoda. At Wat Yahn (fig.) in Thailand a pagoda was built resembling the one from India. Also Bodhgaya and in Thai Buddhagaya or Phuttagaya. bodhi (बोधी, โพธิ) Sanskrit-Thai. The perfect knowledge or Enlightenment which enables one to become a buddha. Also called bodh and bodhiyan.
Pali. 'Pavilion of Enlightenment'. The exact and sacred spot at Bodh Gaya where the Buddha attained Enlightenment. See also Vachara Asana. Pali. A buddha-to-be and one of the 550 incarnations that precede buddhahood, in Theravada Buddhism. Sanskrit. 'One whose
essence is perfect knowledge'. A being who has attained Enlightenment or bodhi but has postponed
buddhahood in order to help others reach that goal. In Mahayana Buddhism many bodhisattvas are personifications of divine qualities,
such as compassion (Avalokitesvara)
or wisdom (Manjushri) and are often depicted with multiple arms. In both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism the term
is also applied to the earlier
lives of the historical Buddha called chadok and to his last life as
prince Siddhartha,
before his Enlightenment.
See bodhisattva. See bodhisattva. Sacred fig tree in Bodh Gaya with the scientific name ficus religiosa, also known as the 'tree of knowledge', under which the Buddha sat when he gained Enlightenment. Its leaves have the shape of a sacred lotus bud and are suspended upside down, that is with the tip of the leaf pointing almost straight downwards (fig.). Because of this the leaves actually function as a ventilating fan, causing a downward breeze when the wind blows through the treetop's foliage, so cooling the spot underneath it. It is supposed that this might have been a reason why Siddhartha chose to meditate under this particular tree. After the original bodhi tree was cut in 600 AD, cuttings were replanted wherever Theravada Buddhism was introduced and practiced. In literature it is often confused with a banyan tree, the tree to which the Buddha moved to stay, seven days after he had attained enlightenment. It is often seen in or near temples (fig.) and often portrayed in art (fig.). In Thai ton poh.
Sanskrit-Thai. 'Enlightenment'. The perfect knowledge or enlightenment which enables one to become a buddha. Also bodhi and in Thai photiyaan, bodh or poh. See bot. 1. Thai name for the caladium, a tropical plant that usually grows near water and consists of a strong stem with a single large heart-shaped leaf. It belongs to the family of araceae which includes many different species. Caladium allegedly derives from the Malay word keladi, meaning 'yam', a kind of edible root. The giant caladium is generally about 1 to 2 meters high although some may grow a little larger, whilst others species are much smaller and may even have colours on their leaves. It is frequently seen as an ornamental plant in tropical gardens. In French the caladium is called oreilles d'éléphant (géantes), meaning '(giant) elephant ears', whereas other species are known by the names angel wings and heart of Jesus. A restaurant in Chiang Mai which is built underneath a large banyan fig tree (sai) and next to a pond with caladium plants (bon), was given the witty name bonsai...
2. Thai name for the colocasia esculenta, a short-lived tropical plant of the family of araceae. Term indicating either the practice of fowl bone prognostication or of fortunetelling by using wooden pieces of wood sometimes referred to as bones and called krab in Thai. See bone prognostication. Thai. A cut off section of bamboo. See also bong gancha. Thai word composed of the words bong and gancha, meaning water pipe, used for smoking marijuana.
Japanese. 'Potted plant'. Generic term for the art of growing miniature trees by trimming and pruning its root and branches. Although usually better known by its Japanese name, this art of aesthetic miniaturization of trees actually originated in China, where it is called penjing, meaning 'miniature landscape'. A word often used in Europe for Buddhist monks.
Thai. Good deeds performed by Thai Buddhists to gain merit, such as offering food to monks and following religious precepts. Usually tamboon, to 'make merit'. Thai for 'ancient', 'antique', and 'classic'. Thai. The eight permitted articles Buddhist monks may have for daily life. These include an alms bowl or baat, their three-piece clothing called traijiewon, a needle, a razor, a water filter and an umbrella called klot. Each item individually is called atborikaan, at meaning 'one-eighth'. Also samanaborikaan. Name of a Buddhist monument in Java, built by the Sailendra kings between 778 and 824 AD. Its structure is like a nine storey high mountain rising 34.5 meters. It is decorated with five kilometers of relief, ornamented with 500 Buddha images, and constructed of more than one million andesite stones (volcanic rock) mined from riverbeds. Symbolically Borobudur is simultaneously a stupa and mandala, and represents a stone replica of the cosmic Mt. Meru. Thai. 'Great', 'grand', or 'supreme'. If used as a prefix to a noun it indicates a connection with royalty or the Buddha. Often used after the prefix, Phra, thus becoming Phra Borom. Boromphiman (บรมพิมาน) Thai. 'Heaven' or 'castle in the air'. Palace building and throne hall in neo-classical French-European style within the Phra Rachawang complex. It was built by king Rama V as a residence for the crown prince and is nowadays still sporadically used to accommodate visiting dignitaries. It is also the palace building in which king Ananda Mahidol was found fatally shot through the head in his bed on the morning of June 9, 1946. Compare with Vimanmek.
bot (โบสถ์) Thai-Sanskrit. The ordination hall of a Thai wat or temple centrally built on consecrated ground and marked with bai sema marker
stones at each of the eight cardinal points. Also called ubosot,
a term derived
from the Pali word uposatha.
Epithet for a small ornamental evergreen tree to six meters high and with the scientific name callistemon lanceolatus. In Thai phraeng lahng khuat.
Tropical evergreen climber that occurs in different colours and has the Latin name bougainvillea spectabilis. In Thai feuang fah and ton tarut jien.
Sanskrit. Goddess of the earth who witnessed the accumulated merits of the Buddha, during his confrontation with Mara, just before his Enlightenment. In Thailand known as Mae Phra Thoranee. Sanskrit. 'Prayer' or 'worship'. As the creator, he is one of the three prominent gods of the Trimurti, the Hindu pantheon, together with Shiva, the destroyer and Vishnu, the preserver. He is often described as the director of the universe, the balance between the opposing forces of Vishnu and Shiva. He is brought forth from the golden lotus which grows from the navel of Vishnu during his cosmic sleep, in order to begin each new round of creation (fig.). In art usually depicted with four heads and four arms (fig.), but may have as many as eight arms. His attributes are a disc, ladle, sceptre, a string of beads which he uses to keep track of the universe's time and symbolizes the substances used in the progress of creation, a bow, water jug, fly whisk and the Vedas. His mount is the hamsa, a sacred swan, and his consort Sarasvati, the goddess of learning. In Buddhist art he is frequently depicted with one head and two arms along with Indra as an attendant of the Buddha (fig.). With a linga Brahma is symbolized in the cube shaped base. In Thailand called Phra Phrom.
The sixteen heavens, without sensory perception, that exist above the six lower heavens in Buddhist mythology. brahman (ब्राह्मण) 1. Sanskrit. Universal, absolute, eternal and pervading spirit in Hindu philosophy. It is the source of all creation, animate and inanimate, from which all things emanate and to which all return. The supreme divine Hindu reality. Compare with Tao. 2. Follower of Brahmanism prior to the development of Hinduism. In Thai phraam. 3. Hindi-Sanskrit. Highest social caste (varna) in Hinduism, and the only one from which a priest can come. In Hindi-Sanskrit pronounced brahmana. In Thai phraam. 4. A priest of Brahma. In Thailand they are responsible for leading state ceremonies and transitional rites for the royal family. Also brahmin. Sometimes with capital letter. In Thai phraam.
Sanskrit. A composite animal combining features of the mounts of the three main Hindu gods, thus having the beak of Vishnu's Garuda, the horns of Shiva's bull, and the wings of Brahma's hamsa. This creature depicted with Buddha mounted, represents the ascendancy of Buddhism over Hinduism. Small white cord worn over the left shoulder by brahman priests, crossing their chest. Also seen in iconography, sometimes in the form of a snake (fig.).
An early form of Hindu religion during the Vedic period in India, based on faith in Brahma. It was brought to India by the Aryan migrants during the second millennium BC and later Hinduism and Buddhism emanated from it. In Thai Sahsanah Phraam. Thai-Hindi. River in India. brahmin (ब्राह्ममन) See brahman. See sake. See sake. 'Lord of prayer'. An Arian deity in the Vedic period. He was worshiped as a great sage and served as a teacher and model to other gods. He is associated with the planet Jupiter. Heavy silk cloth with a warp of gold and/or silver thread and embossed relief patterns, as worn by dancers during khon performances. In Thai pah yok.
Latin. Name of the paper mulberry tree, a tree from which bark paper is made. In Thai ton sah, ton poh sah and ton poh krasah. Giant shrub grown for its large trumpet shaped flowers. They are evergreen or semi-evergreen shrubs with large soft leaves, similar to the leaves of tobacco but smaller, and all parts of this plant are either narcotic or poisonous.
A general Thai name for gourds, including the luffa. 1. Thai. 'Floating lotus'. A kind of Thai sweetmeat made of sticky rice powder boiled in coconut milk mixed with sugar.
2. Name of a Thai tune. Thai name for lotus. Thai name for pasa. Thai name for the rafflesia. Thai. To be ordained as a monk. The ordination of a boy or man, who then enters a temple for an undefined period. Before the ordination the candidate wears a white gown called seua kruy and during the procession towards the temple he is not allowed to touch the ground, a symbolic reference to prince Siddhartha (the later Buddha) who abandoned his secular life on a horseback (fig.). After the ordination ceremony the naag will receive the traijiewon or pahkahsahwapad (the monk's habit) which symbolizes the protection one enjoys as a monk. Also material things may sometimes be ordained to enjoy this benefit, such as trees which are thus protected from being cut down (fig.). The felling of an ordained tree would be similar to killing a monk, a capital sin and bad for one's karma. In Mae Hong Son the ordination of young Shan boys is annually celebrated during the local Poi Sang Long festival. See also buat nah fai, banpacha and buatnaag.
Buat Chang Had Siew (ºÇªªéÒ§ËÒ´àÊÕéÂÇ) Name of an annual ordination ceremony (buat) in Sri Satchanalai, Sukhothai province. It is conducted in April by an ethnic group named Thai Phuan that lives in the village of Had Siew, where elephants are raised to be hired out to haul logs in Phrae and Lampang. The buatnaag, that is te boy who is to be ordained, rides on the back of an elephant all dressed up in princely attire, similar to the dress used in Mae Hong Son's Poi Sang Long ordination ceremony. The boy will wear sunglasses to symbolize his lack of knowledge of the dharma, the Buddhist teachings. The ordination on elephant back refers to the legend of Wetsandorn in the Buddhist sutra, the Buddha's tenth and last incarnation as bodhisattva before his final incarnation as Buddha and which emphasizes the merit of 'giving'. In this story Wetsandorn gave Patchainakhen, a sacred white elephant with powers to bring rain, to some brahmins of a neighbouring kingdom (fig.), after which he was forced into exile in the Himaphan forest. The ordination of the Thai Phuan novices includes some offerings that serve to remind the boys of the things their parents have brought them up with. Sometimes transcribed Buat Chang Hat Siao. Thai. Candidate Buddhist monk in Thailand (fig.). Also naag and naga. See also buat nah fai. Thai. 'To be ordained in front of a fire'. To be ordained as a monk for a short period, as a way of merit making for a deceased close relative or a benefactor. The name refers to the fact that one enters the monkhood while the body of the deceased loved one is being cremated. See also buat. Bua Thong Flower Blooming Season Annually, from the beginning of November to early December, Mae Hong Son celebrates its Bua Thong Flower Blooming Season. During this period a small kind of sunflower ubiquitous in this province starts to bloom, especially on Mae U Ko mountain in the amphur Khun Yuam. During the festival there is entertainment and the local population competes in sports and games, and in a 'Bua Thong Flower Daughter' beauty contest. There is also a market with local produce and a display of local artifacts. In Thai called Thetsakahn Bua Thong Bahn.
Thai name for the victoria regia. Thai. 'To worship', specifically for gods. See also puja. Chinese. 'Cloth Bag'. According to tradition, Budai was a Chinese monk who lived during the Later Liang Dynasty (907 - 923 AD). He is represented as carrying a large purse (cloth sack or cloth bag) which never empties and is filled with precious items, as well as with the woes of the world which he removes. He is often depicted accompanied by children, whereof he is the patron (fig.). Besides this he is also the benefactor of the weak and the poor. In Chinese he is also known by the name is Huan Xi Fo which translates as happy buddha, also referred to as smiling buddha (fig.) as well as the Loving One, the Friendly One, Maitreya, Budai Luohan or Mi Le Fo, and he is also associated with Ingada, one of the original eighteen arhats of Buddhism, who in Chinese art is often portrayed as Budai. Due to his benevolent nature he is often worshipped as an informal Chinese wealth god. In Thailand he is often confused with Phra Sangkatjaai (fig.). Sometimes transcribed Pu Tai or Pu-Tai and also pronounced Hotei.
buddha (बुद्ध) Sanskrit. 'The one who is enlightened' or 'the awakened one'. One who has achieved the highest knowledge of truth and is thereby freed from all further rebirth and has passed into nirvana. In Thai Phra Phut. See also Buddha. Buddha (बुद्ध) Sanskrit. 'The one who is enlightened' or 'the awakened one'. Name for the Shakyamuni or historical Buddha known as Siddhartha Gautama, who gained Enlightenment in 563 BC (544 BC according to Theravada doctrine - see BE) and founded Buddhism as a religion. He was born as a prince of the Shakya clan and his father Suddhodana ruled over the kingdom of Kapilavasthu in present day Nepal. The basis of his teachings are the Four Noble Truths of which the last one is the revelation of the Eightfold Path that results in nirvana. In Hinduism he is the ninth incarnation of Vishnu. His vehicle is a white ox. In Thai Phra Phutta Chao. See also buddha. See Bodh Gaya. In Thai Phuttagaya. A name sometimes given to a whorl of hair between the eyebrows of some deities and usually known as urna. It emits rays of light that illuminate the world and represent great wisdom. It is one of the signs of an enlightened being. In oriental iconography often indicated as a round mark, sometimes called a third eye.
Image of the historical Buddha known as Siddhartha Gautama after his Enlightenment. Any image of the Buddha is subject to strict significant iconographic rules, requiring to show the lakshana or physical characteristics of a buddha or great man, especially the 32 major marks described in Buddhist literature, from which the predestination of a buddha may be recognized at birth. These include an ushnisha (fig.), sometimes a flame (fig.), a lotus bud (fig.) or halo (fig.), long fingers and full shoulders, long earlobes, curled hair, etc. Tradition later added several more characteristics such as an urna or Buddha eye (fig.) and 108 signs on the foot soles (fig.). The position of the hands, in Sanskrit called mudra's (fig.), as well as certain poses or iryapatha (fig.), are used to relate to certain episodes in the Buddha's life. Different interpretations led to minor deviations on some characteristics and usually indicate a different origin, style or period. Buddha images can not be sold or bought, they are literally 'rented' or 'rented out'. Many Buddhists also believe that every Buddha image possesses a fraction of energy of the Enlightened One. The more images that are gathered together (fig.) or the bigger the image, the more energy will be radiated. That is why very large images are made or many smaller images are placed next to each other. In Thai phra phutta roop.
Museum in Bangkok's Thawi Watthana district. It houses 200 large and 3,000 smaller images of the Buddha, from the Indian Gupta period to the Rattanakosin period. Some images are highly esteemed, such as the rare Phra Kring Suriyaworaman. Sanskrit. 'Footprint of the Buddha'. According to legend these footprints actually show where the Buddha walked on earth. In Thailand they are called Phraphutthabaht and are found in temples all over the country where they are worshipped as a reminder of his doctrine. It is usually a large, horizontal sculpture resembling a footprint with iconographic symbols on its sole, which can also be seen on the bottom of some reclining Buddha images (fig.) and represent the 108 signs of a buddha. The story relates the legend of a footprint of the Buddha found in Thailand. A group of Thai monks visiting Sri Lanka were surprised to learn from their Singhalese counterparts that, according to scriptures, a footprint of the Buddha existed in Thailand. They ordered a search and it was eventually found by a hunter. The hunter had chased a wounded deer that after drinking from a well was suddenly healed. On investigation the hunter found a pool in the shape of a footprint, filled with water. When he drank from it he also was miraculously cured from a skin disease.
Sanskrit. Mythological chronicles relating the story of the 24 buddhas that preceded the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, and announce the coming of the Maitreya Buddha. Religion based on the dhamma or teachings of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. It emphasizes compassion for all sentient beings, non-attachment, and release from suffering through the attainment of Enlightenment, which can be achieved by following the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. After the Buddha's death two main directions of Buddhism evolved: the school of Mahayana and the school of Theravada or Hinayana. In Thai Phut Sahsanah. MORE ON THIS. Three month period during the rainy season when monks retreat to their temples to study and meditate, and refrain from travelling. Young men are ordained for short periods during this time. In Thailand it starts off with the festival of khao pansa, literally 'entering the rainy season'. See Tripitaka, Vinay, Sutra, Aphitam, pahtimohk, sihnha, jam sihn, sa-mee, abat and Thai Buddhism. Mount of the Vedic god Yama. In Chonburi a buffalo race takes place annually on a day before the full moon of the 11th lunar month, concurrently with the end of the Buddhist Lent, usually in October or November. In this festival buffaloes are decorated with colourful cloth and flower garlands, before vying to win the race. The race originated by the idea to seek pleasure during an annual trade market that took place in Chonburi, Thailand's eastern trade centre. Coming with the merchants were the water buffaloes, used for pulling their carts. The race was initiated for fun and friendship before the merchants departed back to their hometowns. In Sanskrit called mahisha and in Thai called kwai. Nondi, the mount of the god Ishana is said to be a buffalo although other sources mention Nondi as being a bull. Vahana or vehicle of the Hindu god Shiva known as Nandi, the symbol of male strength, virility, and potency. Also found in pre-Arian art of the Indus Valley civilisation.
Thai name for a hod, a shovel-shaped, trough-like vessel which is usually woven in a rather rough manner from thin bamboo strips or rattan, with a framed ridge and two handles. It is used to scoop up loose materials such as earth, sand, rocks, etc., or carried over the shoulder to move a load of bricks or other construction materials, such as mortar, etc. It is also used by Thai farmers, e.g. to bring seedlings or crops, such as shallots, to the field in order to plant or set them out.
Thai. 'East', 'eastern'. The quarter guarded by the lokapala Phra In (Indra). See also Udon, Isaan, Taksin, Ahkney, Horadih, Prajim and Phayap. Thai. 'City' or 'town'. Usually as a suffix in ancient city names, sometimes as a prefix. Thai-Khmer. 'Cheerful city'. Capital of a modern province (map) in Isaan with approximately 30,000 inhabitants, bordering Cambodia and situated at 410 km northeast of Bangkok. The province -which has the same name- came about during the reign of Rama V, by unifying several ancient khom meuang in 1898 AD. The province has 21 amphur and two king amphur. Among the places of interest are many temple ruins, including those of the ancient Khmer sanctuary Prasat Phanom Rung.
Thailand's neighbouring country to the Northwest, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, roughly between Bangladesh and Thailand. It covers an area of 678,500 km² and has a land border of 5,876 km with Bangladesh, China, India, Laos and Thailand. Its coastline is 1,930 km long and its highest point is Hkakabo Razi with 5,881 meters. The capital is Rangoon but the military regime refers to it as Yangon. It has a population of around 42 and a half million and is officially called the Union of Myanmar. About 68% of the population is Burmese, with many ethnical groups, including Shan, Karen, Rakhine, Chinese, Indian, Mon, and some other minorities. Burmese is the official language but all the minority ethnic groups also have their own languages. Between 1824 and 1886 Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony. Independence outside of the Commonwealth was attained in 1948. General Ne Win dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as president and later as political kingmaker. Despite multiparty elections in 1990 which resulted in the main opposition party winning a decisive victory, the ruling military junta refused to hand over power. Its natural resources are petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones such as jade, natural gas and hydropower. Theravada Buddhism is with 89% the main religion, but there are also Christians, Muslims, animists and some other religions. The currency is the 'kyat'. In Thai Burma is called Pa-mah.
See jade. Traditional stringed instrument from Myanmar. It has a graceful looking boat shape and is in Thailand often used as a decoration. The bowl of the instrument is made of padauk wood covered with deer hide and the curved stem for the harp strings is of shar wood, both amongst the hardest wood sorts in Burma. The Burmese harp is based on seven-tone scales and has 13 strings, although the most ancient harps had seven strings and some expanded to have sixteen. On the top of the bowl are two holes on either side forming the sound box. The harp traditionally leads the Myanmar oboe which in turn leads the kong wong, followed by the klong wong. Since this harp is found in bas-reliefs at some 11th century pagodas in Bagan, it is safe to assume that the Burmese harp may be among the oldest known musical instruments from Burma. In Myanmar it is called saung-gauk.
Thai. An open carved and gilded throne with four posts supporting a tapering roof with a spire.
Enlarged root bases (fig.) of certain trees in tropical and subtropical rainforest. Many though not all emergent trees that rise above the upper canopy may develop wide-buttressed roots as a result of the vertical development of their main lateral roots. This phenomenon possibly occurs due to the fact that high rising trees are subject to intense winds during tropical storms, yet they have root systems of dangerously little depth. Since there is plentiful water near the surface and nutrients are concentrated in the upper layers of the soil the tree has no need to send down deep tap roots and instead spreads wide and shallow roots. Besides this, gradually widening roots greatly expand the surface area of the bark at the base of the tree, tissue essential to the flow of water and nutrients to the massive foliage of the tree crown. The tallest trunks of the largest buttressed-rooted trees may rise 30 meters from their base with the top of the crown extending more than 65 meters. However impressive, most trees of this height are never more than 150-300 years old. Compare with mangrove buttress roots (fig.).
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