Thai for naga. Also transcribed naak and nahg. See pahng nahg prok. Thai for naga. Also written naag and nahg. See pahng nahg prok. Thai. Buddhist nun in Thailand. Nuns are lay people who keep eight precepts or voluntarily submit to the 227 rules of conduct of monastic discipline set out in the Vinaya Pitaka, although they do not belong to the Sangha. They usually shave bald like the monks and wear a pure white ...for more order our CDrom...
Thai. 'Female angel'. Thai. A female spirit or supernatural being inhabiting a tree, a wood nymph, a dryad. A Thai name for 'queen'. Thai. A Buddhist novice, usually under the age of twenty. They need to keep only ten of the Buddhist commandments instead of the usual 227 rules of conduct for adult monks called pahtimohk. Also sahmmanaen.
1. Sanskrit. A mythical serpent with characteristics of a cobra, usually represented with multiple heads (fig.) and sometimes in human form. It is the guardian of the Buddha and protector of the earthly waters (fig.). It is the symbol of fertility, steadfastness, wealth and abundance, and according to legend the ancestor of the Khmer race. Being associated with water it actually dwells in three realms: beneath the earth where it guards minerals and gems, in bodies of still and flowing water, and in the skies where it creates the rains. In Isaan legend has it that Phraya Thaen, the angel of the waters, ordered nagas to play in Anohdaad lake, a place in Himaphan, so that water spilled down to the human earth as rain, the primary natural source of water. At the end of the dry season, people in Isaan will launch self-made rockets into the sky (fig.), in order to wake up the naga's and send down the rains needed for nourishing their crops. In art naga is often represented in battle with the Garuda, the natural enemy of the snakes. According to Buddhist folklore the naga had great reverence and admiration for the Buddha and yearned to be one of his disciples. However, serpents are deemed to be lowly beasts forbidden from being ordained into the monkhood and barred from entering temples. Hence the naga resorted to magical powers, transforming itself into human form, in order to mingle amongst the disciples, undetected. One day, while listening to sermons, the naga fell asleep. The spell cast was broken and the true form of the naga was revealed. The Buddha asked the naga why it had disguised itself and the naga answered that it wished to be in his presence and serve as a disciple. Having heard the naga's explanation, the Buddha told the naga that while it was not possible for the naga to be ordained, it could guard the temple and temple doors. From that time onwards candidate Buddhist monks are called naag and the naga can be seen coiled around the outer walls of temples and slithering on roof edges and stair handrails of temple buildings, sometimes emerging from the mouth of a makara (fig.), a representation known as nagamakara (fig.). Besides this snake-like patterns are commonly seen in Buddhist temples, reminding the visitor of the naga, e.g. the snake-like pattern of the temple roofs, offers such as pineapples, ...for more order our CDrom...
2. Sanskrit for naag, a candidate Buddhist monk in Thailand. Also buatnaag. Sanskrit-Thai. A magical arrow used by Indrachit, one of the demons in the Ramayana. Once this arrow was shot it changed into a naga. Also spelt nakabaat. Sanskrit. The combination of a naga and a makara.
Sanskrit. 'Overspreading naga'. A Buddha image with a naga over his head. See also Muchalinda and pahng nahg prok. Sanskrit. 'City' or 'capital'. The Thai word nakhon, often used as a prefix in many city names, e.g. Nakhon Sri Thammarat, is derived from it. Also in India it is used in the naming of cities, e.g. Kushinagara. Sanskrit-Thai. 'Naga king'. A great snake. See also naga. See nagaraat. nahg (นาค) Thai for naga. Also written naag and naak. See nah kleua. Thai. 'Salt field'. Field used to harvest salt by evaporating sea water in the sun. The salt is used to make ice for one, as it lowers the freezing point or water. Read more on this in the topic below, nahm khaeng kot. Also spelt nah gleua.
Thai. 'Pressed ice'. Fruit juice with sugar frozen into flavoured water-ice on a stick. Fruit juice is poured into tubular cylinders that are placed in a round aluminium ice box of which the bottom part contains a mixture of water and ice. Then salt is added which changes the freezing point of water and brings the temperature of the ice down to below 25 degrees Celsius. Water normally freezes at 0° Celsius. When salt is added on the ice, it lowers the freezing point to below 0° Celsius. Since the ice cannot get any colder than it already is the surface first starts to melt, but as the salt ice-water mixture is diluted by further melting of the ice, the freezing point rises and the water refreezes. A mixture of plain water and ice is in equilibrium at 0° Celsius, but adding salt lowers the equilibrium temperature. The fruit juice thus slowly freezes into an ice lolly. The aluminium ice box is covered with ...for more order our CDrom...
Thai. 'Hot spring'. Hot springs arise where accumulated groundwater is heated up by the earth's core at places where the earth's crust is thin enough to allow the water to rapidly rise again. Sometimes this creates geysers spurting out hot water to staggering heights, although many hot springs are at times no more than bubbling wells of hot water. Hot springs usually have hot fumes of sulphur dioxide and are rich of ...for more order our CDrom...
1. Thai. 'Waterfall'. Thailand has many waterfalls, mainly in the National Parks. The most well-known are Erawan waterfall in the province of Kanchanaburi, Thi Lo Su waterfall, one of the highest in the country, in the province of Tak, the 100 meter high Mae Surin waterfall in Mae Hong Son province, Na Meuang waterfall on the island of Samui in Surat Thani, Wachirathan waterfall in the province of Chiang Mai, and many others.
2. Thai. Name of a dish served with charcoaled meat, chicken or fish and a spicy dipping sauce. 1. Thai name for Chinese herbal tea. There are several varieties that differ in level of bitterness, including bitter tea, twenty-four tea, lo han guo tea and gherrysanthamun tea. This herbal extract that serves as an invigorating tonic can be found at Chinese herbal stores in Bangkok's Chinatown.
2. Thai. Fish soup eaten with kanom jihn. Thai for 'king'. Thai pronunciation for Nairitti. Sanskrit. Guardian of the Southwest and god of the sun, sometimes represented with a halo and a lotus in each hand. He drives a chariot pulled by seven horses. Also Nairriti, and in Thai Nairit. See also Surya.
See Nairitti. See nagabaat. Thai. 'City', as in Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya. Derived from the Sanskrit word nagara. Thai. 'First city'. The provincial capital of Nakhon Nayok province (map) in Central Thailand, 106 kms Northeast of Bangkok. In the North of this province there are several waterfalls. This small province has only four amphur.
Thai. 'First city'. Derived from the Pali name 'Nagara Pathama' and considered to be Thailand's oldest city and once the centre of the Dvaravati empire, though the region was probably inhabited as early as in the time of emperor Asoka, in the 3rd century AD. This provincial capital with a population of approximately 45,000 is located 56 kms from Bangkok in the jangwat (map) of the same name, in West Thailand. It is known for having the tallest Buddhist monument in the world, the Phra Pathom Chedi with a height of 127 meters (fig.). It also features the tall Phra Phutta Monthon Buddha image. This province has ...for more order our CDrom...
Thai-Sanskrit-Khmer. 'City of hills'. A provincial capital in Northeast Thailand with a population of around 34,000 and situated approximately 740 kms from Bangkok, in a province (map) of the same name. Its places of interest include Phrathat Phanom (fig.), a temple with a stupa in Laotian style ...for more order our CDrom...
Nakhon Ratchasima (นครราชสีมา) Thai. A large provincial capital in Northeast Thailand (Isaan) with a population of approximately 203,000 and located 259 kms from Bangkok in a province (map) of the same name. It is an ancient city with an important history and regarded the gateway to Isaan. Among its places of interest is the statue of Lady Suranari (fig.), a giant banyan tree (ficus bengalensis - fig.) and the ancient Khmer sanctuary Prasat Hin Phimai (fig.), both in the amphur Phimai. Both the province and ...for more order our CDrom...
Thai. 'Heavenly city'. Large capital of a province (map) of the same name in Central Thailand and with a population of approximately 107,000 and a substantial Chinese community. It is situated at the foot of the hilltop temple Wat Chom Khiri Nak Phrot, around 240 kms North of Bangkok at the confluence of the rivers Ping, Nan, Yom and Wang, that form the Chao Phrya River. The town is known for its exuberant Chinese New Year festival and the province is largely covered by the enormous Bung Boraphet lake that stretches from Ban Laem Nang So Nai in the West to Ban Phanom Set Nua in the East, and is a bird sanctuary ...for more order our CDrom...
Nakhon Sri Thammarat (นครศรีธรรมราช) The provincial capital of a province (map) of the same name in South Thailand, 780 kms South of Bangkok. It has a population of approximately 72,000 with a large Muslim community. Centuries before the Srivijaya empire spread over the southern peninsula there was a city state with the name Ligor (Lagor) which was the capital of the then Trambralinga empire. Later on, when monks from Sri Lanka founded a monastery there, the name was changed into Sri Dhammaraja, Pali-Sanskrit for 'City of the Holy Dhamma King', what eventually became the present Thai name. During the early development of the many different Thai kingdoms the city was an important centre for religion and culture, and it is today still known for the production of nielloware, ya lipao, nang and dance masks. Places of interest include Wat Mahathat Wora Maha Wihaan with its 78 meters high chedi with a spire of pure gold. The city is situated in a province of the same name which also includes the 570 kms² large Khao Luang National Park, pristine beaches on its North coast, and shadow puppet theatres. The most important resources of the region are rubber, coffee, rice and fruit. This province ...for more order our CDrom...
Thai name for Angkor Thom in Cambodia. Thai name for Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Thai. 'Boxer', especially in muay thai. The official fighting colours used by the nak muay are red or blue, with the one in red usually being the better boxer, with more fights won. A staircase in Indian architecture. The elephant which was calmed by the Buddha when it was set loose by his jealous nephew Devadatta to kill him. Sanskrit. Portico above a staircase. 1. Thai. 'Territory'. A province (map) in North Thailand with a capital of the same name that has a population of approximately 25,000 and situated 668 kms from Bangkok. According to legend the city originated when king Pha Kong, the local ruler of Nakhon Damri, had a visionary dream at the time he wanted to built a new city. In this dream he saw an ox crossing the Nan River and draw a plan in a certain area consisting of a square structure, thus laying the fundament for the new city. However, when he woke up he saw this plan existed for real and he had the new city walls built accordingly. Formerly Phrae and Nan were one country but was divided among two brothers into two territories (nan) to enable better rule. Its places of interest include Wat Phrathat Chang Kham Worawihaan (fig.) and Wat Phumin (fig.). The ...for more order our CDrom...
2. Thai. Name of a river in northern Thailand that near Nakhon Sawan merges with the rivers Yom, Wang and Ping, thus forming the Chao Phraya river. The founder of the Sikh faith in the late 15th century. Born in 1469 he passed away in 1539 at the age of seventy. He is considered the apostle of peace and the first guru of modern thinkers in India. Sanskrit. The bull or, according to some texts, buffalo that serves as the vehicle of the god Shiva. It is symbol of fertility and it is often seen in Khmer temples, facing the direction of the main sanctuary. In murals it is usually depicted with a white complexion. Also Nandin, and in Thai Nondi or Nontih. See also Nandi mandapa.
Sanskrit. 'Lord of Nandi'. A form of Shiva popular in Java. His attributes are a lotus bud, a jar and a trident. He appears as guardian of gates, sometimes accompanied by Nandi. Sanskrit. Porch or pavilion used in ancient Khmer temples to shelter a statue of Nandi and which was faced in the direction of the main sanctuary.
See Nandi. Thai. 'Hide, skin'. An art form in Thailand in which leather, usually that of a water buffalo is cut in the form of figures (fig.), often with Thai religious and mythological themes.
Thai for 'lady, woman or girl'. Generally used in a rather poetic context but also in front of women's names, as in Nang Nophamat. Thai. 'Beckoning lady'. Female statue (nang) with one or both arms raised and summoning with her hand(s) as if to gesture or to beckon (kwak). She invites happiness and good fortune and is often found displayed in shops to attract good business. Usually portrayed with a large purse full of money. Compare with maew kwak and maneki-neko.
Nang Nophamat (นางนพมาศ) The daughter of a brahman priest and a lady at the court of king Phra Ruang of Sukhothai, who developed a new style of lotus flower which were to be floated on the streaming waters at night to please the king. They probably lay at the origin of the present-day krathong used during the Loi Krathong festival. Thai. A puppet theatre consisting of a shadow play in which the shadow of a figure, cut from a piece of leather or dried hide (nang) in the shape of a human form, is projected onto a screen. Its stories are usually based on the Ramakien.
1. Thai. An earlier incarnation of Rama, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. He dwells in the Waikuhn heaven and is called Narayana in Sanskrit. MORE ON THIS. 2. King Narai, ruler of Ayutthaya from 1656 until his death during the revolt of Ayutthaya in 1688. Also Phra Naraiyamaharaat.
Narai banthom sin (นารายณ์ บรรทมสินธุ์) Thai-rajasap. 'Narai sleeping on the ocean'. Thai term for Anantasayin.
Narai plaeng son (นารายณ์แผลงศร) Thai. 'Narai shooting an arrow'. Common name for the depiction of Vishnu, Rama or Narai with a bow. See also Narai song peun.
Narai song peun (นารายณ์ทรงปืน) Thai. 'Narai with a weapon'. Portrayal of Vishnu, Rama or Narai with a bow. See also Narai plaeng son. See Narasingha. Sanskrit. 'Man-lion'. The fourth avatara of Vishnu with the body of a man and the head of a lion. See also reusi nah seua (fig.). Provincial capital in South Thailand with a population of approximately 41,000, situated 1,149 kms from Bangkok in a province (map) of the same name that borders Malaysia. The name is in use only since 1915, formerly it was called Bang Nara and before that Meuang Ra Ngae. The province has 13 amphur.
Sanskrit. Another name for the Hindu god Vishnu. Also Phra Narai. Naresuan (นเรศวร) King of Ayutthaya who ruled from 1590 until 1605. He was born in 1555 a son to king Maha Thammaracha and his principal wife and queen, the daughter of king Chakkraphat. He was taken to Burma as a hostage, so that his father would be a loyal vassal to Burma. He had been put on the throne by the Burmese after they had conquered Ayutthaya in 1569. In 1571 the Burmese king Bayinnaung allowed him to return home in exchange for his sister. Despite his young age (16 years) his father sent him to the northern town of Phitsanulok to govern the region also making him heir to the throne of Ayutthaya. In a later duel on elephants he set Ayutthaya free of ...for more order our CDrom...
Thai term referring to 'hell', a place comparable with Christian purgatory. The place is divided in eight pits known as sanjihwa, kalasut(ra), sangkaht, rohruwon, maharohruwon, tapon, patahpon and awejih. The abyss or deepest pit where those with the most severe sins receive punishment is awejih. Hell is presided over by Yama (in Thai called Phra Yom), the Vedic god of death, who is also known as Yommaraat, the 'king of the realm of death'. He is assisted by his envoy Yommathoot, the angel of death who has it as his task to lead the souls of the dead to judgment before Yama and his scribes Suwan and Suwaan. He is usually depicted with horns and holding a trident or some other weapon. Temples often have gardens displaying horrifying images, displaying beings called Yommabaan dealing out cruel ...for more order our CDrom...
A Burmese spirit similar to the Thai chao thih and which can be both a nature spirit and a spirit from mythology, especially the spirit of someone who met a violent and unjust death. Of those who died an unnatural death there is a pantheon 37 nats in total. Since they have been both human and spirit they are considered appeasing and disciples of the Buddha, and thus are highly respected and worshipped in Burmese culture. All 37 nats from this well known pantheon have their spiritual abode at Mt. Popa, an important place of pilgrimage for many Burmese. The worship of nats is by and large based on fear of being harmed by them, and the hope that favours would be granted in return for offerings and prayers. The most famous animist festival in Burma is nat pwe, the 'festival of spirits', celebrated annually ...for more order our CDrom...
Sanskrit. A depiction of Shiva as the 'Lord of Dance' representing cosmic truth and energy. His cosmic dance symbolizes creation, preservation and destruction at the same time. He stands with one foot on a midget who represents 'ignorance'. See also kalachakra and tandava.
The National Gallery compiles and displays both classical and temporary art of renowned Thai artists for anyone with an interest in art. It also exhibits oil paintings made by king Bhumipon. It was inaugurated on 8 August 1977 by princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and is located at the Phra Pin Klao bridge near Sanam Luang. See Phleng Chaht Thai. The National Museum of Bangkok is the largest museum in Southeast Asia and was founded in 1874 by king Rama V. It is housed in the former Wang Na Palace, originally the home to the vice king and part of Phra Rachawang, the Grand Palace. It features items from Thai art and history, from the Sukhothai to the Rattanakosin period as well as items and representations from the pre-Thailand period. It also exhibits sculptures from elsewhere in Asia, including one of the earliest Buddha images in the Gandhara style from India. The museum consists of several wings and has ...for more order our CDrom... Burmese. 'Festival of spirits'. Annual religious festival in Burma, held in August in Taungbyon, about 20 kms North of Mandaley, a place named after the brothers Shwe Hpyin Gyi and Shwe Hpyin Nge Taungbyon who were executed in the 11th century AD on the orders of king Anawratha because they failed to place stones near a pagoda, as they were ordered. Sanskrit. The nine planets, that is, the sun, the moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Neptune and Earth. They are commonly depicted on lintels or as part of the front door of a Hindu or Khmer temple. Note that this list includes the sun and moon but does not include the planets Pluto and Uranus. See also noppakro. Sanskrit. The central hall of a temple. Sanskrit-Thai. Annual Indian religious festival extending ten days and nights in which daily puja ceremonies are held. The term is also used in Thailand. A greenish gray fibrous gem similar to jade. Neung Tambon Neung Phlitaphan (หนึ่งตำบลหนึ่งผลิตภัณฑ์) Thai. 'One District One Product'. See OTOP. Theory developed by king Bhumipon Adunyadet to improve the agricultural benefits for owners of small farms, enabling them to be self-supporting. In Thai known as tritsadie mai. 1. Thai for 'ivory' and 'elephant tusk'. The hard substance of the creamy-white tusks of an elephant which it uses as its tool and weapon. Ivory is often used as a raw material to make artifacts but is illegal in many countries. Contrary to the African elephant where only the bull wears tusks, both male and female elephants of the Asian elephant may develop tusks.
2. Thai for 'sesame'. Ngam Meuang (งำเมือง) King of Phayao during the Lan Na period, who lived from 1238 until 1298 AD. To preserve authority in the North against the Khmer and Burmese and to consolidate his power he made a pact with king Ramkamhaeng (fig.) of Sukhothai and king Mengrai of Chiang Mai.
ngao (ง้าว) Thai. 'Hook'. Popular speech for the antefix on traditional teakwood Thai houses.
nga tih hak (งาที่หัก) Thai. 'Broken tusk'. Thai name for tanta. Thai. 'Mermaid'. They often occur in Southeast Asian legends. Also transcribed ngyak.
Thai. Name of an
ethnic tribe in northern Thailand, also called
Thai term for Chinese opera. Performances are in Chinese and are a mixture of drama, rant and melodious recitation. The faces of the actors are heavily covered with make-up and they dress in colourful Chinese costumes, sometimes wearing conspicuous headdresses. Larger Thai cities often have a permanent theatre, whereas more remote towns and villages may have to wait for a touring troupe to pass by. 1. 'Hair'. Thai name for the rambutan (fig.), a fruit with a hairy red husk.
2. Name for members of the Sakai and allied tribes in the jungles of Malaya and southern Thailand. Thai. Name of a Thai farmer's hat, lampshade-shaped and resembling an upside-down basket of interwoven bamboo slivers. Woven from bamboo and lined with palm leaves. Inside sits a ring to fit it on the head. Mainly worn by Thai peasant women.
Thai. Generic term for snakes. Thai. 'Barking snake'. Thai name for a cobra. See ngeuak. See nirvana. The recessed part of a wall that generally contains a sculpture and is flanked by two pilasters. Also bay.
A black composition consisting of an alloy of lead, copper and silver fused with precious metals such as gold and silver by heating. The technique used includes incising and polishing. This art form was introduced to Thailand around 700 years ago via Nakhon Sri Thammarat ...for more order our CDrom... Decorative objects made from niello. In Thailand called kreuang tom.
Thai. Escape or depart to enter into priesthood or clergy. Thai term used to indicate the Great Departure of the Buddha. See also Banpacha and Buat. 1. Thai. 'Create'. See also look nimit. 2. Thai. 'Sign' or 'omen'. A vision or sign for the future. See also look nimit. Thai-Rajasap. 'Invite' or 'ask', especially with respect to monks to be present at or take part in a religious rite. Name of a species of palm that thrives in the soft mud of coastal wetlands near brackish and salt water areas of estuaries, but away from wave action. It can grow well over three meters and its leaves (fig.) are used for thatching whilst young leaves are used to roll cigarettes called burih bai jahk. It is also used as an ingredient in sweetmeats and alcohol. In Thai it is called jahk or ton jahk and sometimes atta. Due to its dwelling in an environment similar to that of mangrove it is ...for more order our CDrom...
Thai name for nirvana. Thai. 'To travel to a distant land, separated from a loved one'. A style of travel tale, usually written in the form of a letter in verse to a beloved one. Sanskrit. Annihilation or liberation of all suffering, desire, delusion and future rebirths. The Buddhist state of Enlightenment reached while still on earth. The Buddha attained nirvana seated under a bodhi tree. In Thai nipphaan. Term used in the teachings of the Buddha. |
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