Thai for naga. Also transcribed naak and nahg. See pahng nahg prok. Thai for naga. Also written naag and nahg. See pahng nahg prok. Name for a round roti-like flatbread made of wheat flour. The dough can be either leavened with yeast or unleavened. It is baked in a clay oven, what distinguishes it from roti which is usually cooked on a flat iron griddle and uses unleavened dough. It originates from Central Asia and is popular in Indian cuisine. Pronunciation nan.
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 cloth. See also chie pah kao.
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 (fig.). 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.
naga (नाग) 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, etc. It is even said that one reason for monks and novices to shave their heads bald is to resemble the features of a naga. Another legend tells that phayanaag, the chief of the nagas, drank all the water of the world to provide his son-in-law with land. Angered by his impertinence Vishnu ordered the devas to tie him to Mount Meru and squeeze him until he expelled all the water he had consumed. The water he regurgitated is regarded to be amarit.
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. nagamakara (नागमकर) 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. nagara (नागर) 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. nagaraja (नागराज) 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.
See krabuay. 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 a rotating lid with holes that hold the tubular cylinders. Occasionally rotating this cover prevents the with fruit juice filled cylinders from becoming icebound to the ice below.
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 minerals. Many places therefore offer therapeutic baths in cooled down water, while others may sell eggs to boil.
Thai for 'calabash'. It's a fruit of a gourd-bearing vine in the family of cucurbits, in Thai known as taeng. It has a hard but thin skin and when dried completely it can be used a vessel for liquids (fig.). Its shape resembles the number 8. Chinese people call it hu lu and regard it as a symbol for protection, believing it has the power to save from sickness and pain. They believe it can also safeguard against accidents and evil spirits. In the past physicians would carry medicine with them inside a calabash, hence it became a legendary tool associated with healing. Since then and because of this the Chinese believe the calabash has supernatural shielding and healing powers. Nowadays many often wear a small calabash made from jade or wood for safekeeping (fig.), as it is believed it is able to absorb bad qi (chi) and negative energy. In art nahm tao can be made from any material (fig.), including porcelain, bronze, etc. and are often elaborately decorated with Chinese figures or symbols (fig.). Some Chinese deities, e.g. Ji Gong (a luohan - fig.), Li Tieh-kuai (one of the Eight Immortals), Siw or Shou (the god of longevity and one of the Three Star Gods), carry a calabash with them as a sign of their ability to cure difficult ailments. Besides this the chimneys of some joss paper ovens in Chinese temples and shrines may have the shape of a nahm tao (fig.). Also called bottle gourd. Compare with kalasa (fig.).
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 name for a hand powered household device used for winding skein (loosely-coiled bundles of yarn or thread) of cotton or silk onto a reel which is afterward placed in a krasuay (fig.), a shuttle used for weaving cloth (fig.). A nai consists of a base with legs and a spindle driven by a large wheel with a crank. A piece of yarn forms a connection linking the wheel with the spindle, thus driving both when the wheel is turned. The skein is tied to the reel which is placed on the spindle, a small axle of steel called leknai (fig.) in Thai. When the driving wheel is revolved the spindle will rotate at high-speed, coiling up the yarn. Also called lah.
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 15.875 meter tall Phra Phutta Monthon Buddha image (fig.), the Sanam Chan Palace (fig.) and waxworks at the Thai Human Imagery Museum (fig.). This province has seven amphur.
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 housing a relic of the Buddha. This province has eleven amphur and one king amphur.
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 town are also known as Korat. The province has 26 amphur and six king amphur.
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 (fig.). The province has 13 amphur and two king amphur.
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 has 21 amphur and 2 king amphur.
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 province has fourteen amphur and one king amphur. Pronunciation Naan.
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. Nandi (नन्दि) 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.
Nandikesvara (नन्दिकईश्वर) 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. Nandi mandapa (नन्दिमण्डप) 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.
Nandin (नन्दिन्) 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. See also nang yai.
Thai. A kind of entertainment similar to nang thalung, but larger. It uses large sheets of leather cowhide (nang) elaborately carved into framed images, often from the Ramakien. Either side has a wooden handle to hold the image up and to prevent the leather sheet from bending. The figures are manipulated in front of an illuminated backdrop, accompanied by an orchestra called pih phaat.
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. Sanskrit. 'Hell'. The Thai word narok derives from it. Narasimha (नरसिंह) 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.). In Pali called Narasingha. Pali. 'Man-lion'. See Narasimha. 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 majority speaks Yawi, a Malay dialect. 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.
Narayana (नारायण) Sanskrit. 'Path of man'. In Hindu mythology it is the name of the god of creation, later synonymous with the god Brahma and even later it became 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 Phitsanulok in 1555, a son to king Maha Thammaracha and his principal wife and queen Wisutkasattri, the daughter of king Chakkraphat. He was taken to Burma as a hostage, so that his father, who had been put on the throne by the Burmese after they had conquered Ayutthaya in 1569, would be a loyal vassal to Burma. Naresuan stayed in Burma for seven years what probably made him the only Siamese king who ever could speak Burmese. In 1571 the Burmese king Bayinnaung allowed him to return home in exchange for his sister, princess Suphankalaya. 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. He played a key role in the defense of Ayutthaya, against both Burmese and Khmer attacks. These Khmer invasions gave the Siamese an excuse to mobilize troops and increase their weaponry, without arousing suspicion with the Burmese and allowing the Siamese-Burmese conflict to escalate into a war of independence. In a duel on elephants in 1593 he eventually set Ayutthaya free of the yoke of Burma. During his reign he consolidated his kingdom and tried to expand its borders (fig.). He died age 50 at Meuang Hang in the Shan states while leading a campaign to forestall the Burmese takeover of that region in 1605. He is considered one of the great kings in Thai history (fig.). Usually Phra Naresuan or Phra Chao Naresuan.
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 punishments to the wicked in the underworld. These images are used by monks and novices for contemplation and meditation. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word naraka. Also called Yommalohk and badahn. See also kratha thong daeng.
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 in August at Taungbyon, approximately 20 kms North of Mandaley.
Nataraja (नटराज) Sanskrit. 'Dancer-king'. 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' (fig.). Statues of Nataraja are worshipped in most Hindu temples (fig.). 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 free English, German, French and Japanese language tours given by volunteers. In Thai Phiphithaphan Haeng Chaht. 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. Sanskrit for 'leader'. The Thai word nayok derives from it. Thai. 'President' or 'chairman'. The term is derived from the Sanskrit word nayaka. 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 both male and female elephants develop tusks, only the Asian bull wears sizeable tusks, whereas the female Asian elephant usually lacks tusks or has very small ones.
2. Thai for 'sesame'. 3. Thai name for the entrance component in a fish trap. It consists of either a row of lined spokes or a funnel-shaped circle of spokes, both of which are lined towards each other and tapering at the end, in order to let the fish in, but preventing it from leaving the same way. There are two kinds of nga in use, i.e. the nga kaeng (nga with hard spokes) and the nga oun (nga with soft spokes).
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. 'Spirit-mouth-money'. Name for money that is put in the mouth of a dead person. Traditionally, before a corpse is cremated in a Meru, a close member of family of the deceased will put a coin in the mouth of the dead person and sometimes leaves a banknote in the coffin, as well. The meaning of this is symbolically. After the body has been cremated, nothing is left, except for the coin. This shows that when we die we can not take anything with us, at all. The banknote that was put in the coffin however is a payment for the journey to the afterlife. The idea is similar and perhaps goes back to Greek mythology, where the deceased kept a coin in their mouth to pay Charon, the ferryman who brought the souls of the dead to Hades, the Underworld and Abode of the Dead. To reach Hades one had to cross the Acheron, a branch of the river Styx and known as the River of Woe. For the passage Charon charged a small coin which was placed under the tongue of the deceased by pious relatives, because without payment ones soul was left waiting on the banks for eternity. See also gong de. 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. Chinese. 'Year'. Name of a Chinese mythical monster which for a long time terrorized the people of a certain Chinese village. Once a year, at the beginning of spring, it would come to the village to demand a human sacrifice of a young child for it to eat. Eventually the people of the village decided that they would no longer submit to its dreadful rule and frightened it away with the loud noises of firecrackers. The use of firecrackers during Chinese Lunar New Year (Guo Nian) today still commemorates this defeat of evil. 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. See also nielloware. 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. Thai. Name of a dark blue to black gemstone. See also nintakoh. Thai name for the black spinel, a black precious stone (fig.), used as a gemstone in jewellery. It has a hardness of 8.0 which can only be surpassed by black diamond or sapphire, far more expensive stones and not easily obtainable in a range of sizes. Spinel comes in a variety of colours but the relatively rare opaque black type is only found in a few areas, including Thailand (fig.). It is often found in ruby and sapphire bearing areas and has been mined in Thailand for centuries, especially in the amphur Bo Phloy in the province of Kanchanaburi, but also in the amphur Wang Chin in Phrae province and the amphur Sri Satchanalai in Sukhothai province. Due to it excellent hardness, high reflectance and lack of cleavage, black spinel is ideal for everyday wear in jewellery (fig.). It also called pleonast and ceylonite, and by the local population it also called nin ton. Black spinel is sometimes sold under the misleading name black onyx, but that has a hardness of only 6.5 to 7.0 and is therefore more susceptible to damage, and thus inferior for use in jewellery.
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 and as a wrapper for sweetmeats called kanom jahk (fig.). Besides this they are also used as an ingredient in 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 also known as mangrove palm.
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. nirvana (निर्वाण) 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. There are Four Noble Truths in total, of which the last one enfolds into the Eightfold Path. Thai name for custard apple or sugar apple, a sweet and succulent fruit with the scientific Latin name annona squamosa and belonging to the genus of annonaceae, the same family as the kradang nga ngaw and kradang nga songkla. They are round with a thick rind grow and from a small tree or shrub which has narrow but long pointed leaves (fig.). Inside they have white flesh of fruit and many large black seeds.
Thai name for the hornbill. Also nok hang. See also ngeuak. Thai. 'Elephant bird'. Mythological bird with the head of an elephant and a tail sometimes in the form of a kranok (fig.). Occurs occasionally in the form of a chofa, usually the representation of a highly stylized bird (fig.). Also nok hadsadin.
See nok hadsadie. Thai name for the hornbill. Also nok ngeuak. Thai name several carnivorous birds of which there are many different species such as the falconida and accipitridae, including also the eagle, a symbol of Vajrayana Buddhism.
Thai name for bee-eater. One of the two founders of Phitsanulok, the other being Garnboon.
nomklaw tawaai (น้อมเกล้า ฯ ถวาย) Thai. Rajasap for 'offer' and 'devote', if the addressed is a king. Also tunklaw tawaai. See also tawaai. Thai name for Nandi. Often used with the prefix ko, which means bull or ox. Also Nontih.
Provincial capital of a jangwat (map) of the same name in Northeast Thailand 577 kms from Bangkok. The name is derived from Nong Bua Lumphu, a reference to the region being a marshland (nong) with lotuses (bua) with both low plains (lum) and mountains (phu). The province has six amphur.
Provincial capital of a jangwat (map) of the same name in Northeast Thailand 615 kms from Bangkok. History relates that king Phra Nang Klao ordered Phraya Racha Supawadi to lead his troops in an attack on Krung Sri Satana Kanahut (Vientiane) in order to retake this rebellious city. Then Racha Supawadi let thao Suwo (Boonma) choose a spot to build a new city and the latter chose a large marshland with lots of bamboo, a place known as Nong Kai. In 1827 Phra Pathum Thewa Phibaan was appointed by Suwo as the local ruler of this new city. Nong Kai is famous for the bangfai phayanaag, an annual phenomenon on the Mekong river, in which soundless fireballs shoot up from the river. Its places of interest include Sala Kaew Kuh (fig.), the Praab How monument and the Thailand-Laos Friendship Bridge (fig.). The province has thirteen amphur and four king amphur.
Name of a province or jangwat (map) and its provincial capital, in Central Thailand. It is a suburb of Bangkok, only 20 kms to its West and bordering it. The city of Nonthaburi rose during the rule of Phra Maha Chakrapad in about 1549 AD and is known for its pottery. Its main attraction is the Chinese temple Wat Boromaracha Kanchana Phisek Anuson, the largest Mahayana Buddhist temple in the Kingdom (fig.). The province has six amphur.
A earlier incarnation of Totsakan who had the task of washing the feet of the gods who came to mount Krailaat to worship the chief god Idsuan. While he performed this humble task the gods constantly teased him. They pulled his hair and banged his head. Weary of this he made his complaint to the chief god and asked him for a diamond finger that was lethal when pointed to anyone harmful to him. At first Idsuan agreed but when too many victims died he changed his mind. The story precedes the Thai epic Ramakien. MORE ON THIS.
See Nondi. A word derived from German and meaning 'strip of pasta'. The noodle reached Thailand along the ancient trade routes from China, where it originated. Noodles are today the second most significant food dish, next to rice, and may be consumed boiled as a soup with meat or look chin plah (fish balls), stir fried in a wok with other ingredients or simply boiled and doused with a curry. Noodle dishes come in a large variety and the basic noodle is in Thai called either guay tiyaw (rice noodles), kanom jihn (soft boiled -curry topped- rice noodles), wun sen (jelly noodles) or bamih (egg noodles - fig.), depending on the kind. Besides being a popular dish at local food stalls it also appears in dried form in shops and supermarkets all over the country (fig.), and several new brands of instant noodles have hit the market over the last decade. Today Chanthaburi is Thailand's foremost production centre for dried rice noodles which are therefore often referred to as guay tiyaw chanthabun. The most recognized noodle dish is probably phad thai (fig.).
Thai. 'Nine luck' or 'nine stars'. The nine stars used in astrology. See also navagraha. Thai. The nine-layered parasol, a symbol of kingship. See also chattra. 1. Thai-Pali. 'Nine Jewels' or 'Nine Gems'. Name for the nine natural precious stones that are considered the jewels of the nation. These are a diamond, ruby, emerald, topaz, garnet, mukdah (a kind of gem that translates as 'pearl'), zircon, chrysoberyl and black spinel (in Thai called nintakoh). Also transcribed noppharat.
2. Thai-Pali. 'Nine Jewels' or 'Nine Gems'. Name for the highest royal decoration bestowed upon a commoner. It was introduced by the king to grant as an honourable reward in civil service or for services to his majesty personally. Also transcribed noppharat. Thai. The decorative spire adorning the top of a prang. Its origin is uncertain but it is presumed that it refers to a trihsoon (fig.) or trident, the weapon of the Hindu god Shiva. There is also a linguistic connection: 'noppa' means nine, 'trih' means three, and 'soon' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'sula', meaning peak or tooth.
See nopparat. See Manohra. Thai. The uncovered part of a patio found in a traditional Thai pile dwelling. nuat paen boraan (นวดแผนโบราณ) Thai. 'Massage in accordance with ancient plan'. Thai name for traditional massage. Also gaan nuat paen boraan.
Thai n Name of an East Indian tree of the genus myristica fragans bearing an hard aromatic seed (fig.) which is used as a spice and in medicine. In Thai the tree is called ton jan thet. Sanskrit. A mythological water snake. See also naga. Thai. Another name for Kariang. MORE ON THIS. |
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