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See pahng. Thai. 'Fan'. Of old an utensil of the Far East. Thai. Fan made of the leaf of a species of palm called corypha lecontei which is similar to the sugar palm or ton taan.
Thai. A folding fan (fig.). Made according to tradition in Chiang Mai in North Thailand and usually painted with scenes of Thai landscapes or ornamental motifs. Thai for 'iron fan'. See tessen. padma (पद्म) Sanskrit. 'Lotus flower'. A general symbol in Indian culture associated with purity, creativity and fertility. In iconography it is often used as a pedestal or base for gods. In Buddhism it is a symbol of Enlightenment. See also pathum and Padma. Padma (पद्म) Sanskrit. Another name for the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, in her form as 'mother of the earth'. See also padma.
Padmapani (पद्मपाणि) Sanskrit. 'Lotus in the hand'. The bodhisattva Avalokitesvara in his appearance as creator, depicted with many small figures that emerge from his body and represent all beings, gods, and buddhas over whom he has the power to create. See also Radiating Avalokitesvara. padmasana (पद्मसन) Sanskrit. 'Lotus throne'. The seated pose of a divinity (asana) with crossed legs forming a circular space resembling an open lotus. See also pathum and padma. One of the subgroups of the Longneck Karen in Thailand, originally from Burma. They live principally in the province of Mae Hong Son. padwaanlawichanih (พัดวาลวีชนี) Thai. 'Royal
Fan and Yak's
Tail' or 'Royal Fan and
Fly Whisk'. Part of the Thai royal regalia or kakuttapan.
These are symbolic items that the king uses to ward off any peril that may
befall his people. During the reign of king
Thai. 'Fan of rank'. A kind of fan attached to a stick and used in certain religious and royal ceremonies. As a religious fan it has an approximately 70 cm long handle and is used by monks to hide their face during certain prayers or in a ceremony when they preach in name of the Buddha and not themselves. In royal ceremonies it is attached to a much larger handle of about 2 meters and used as a decoration or carried around in processions, often by brahmin priests (fig.). Also called talapat.
Thai-Chinese. Name for a kind of a semi-large bean with a hard nut-like shell (fig.), often seen for sale in bulk on markets around Bangkok's Chinatown. When peeled it is of a yellowish colour. It is used in soups as well as in rice dishes. Also spelt pae guay.
Thai name for tapioca starch, starch of the cassava. Thai. 'Eight lines' or 'eight stripes'. A nickname for Chachengsao. 1. For 230 years the capital of Burma and the city of Burma's golden era, between the 11th and 13th centuries AD. Its earliest edifice dates from the late ninth century and it was probably founded in 849 AD by the Burmese who lived on the irrigated rice lands of the Mandaley region, after the collapse of the earlier Pyo kingdom. The city was eventually abandoned subsequent to the invasion of Kublai Khan in 1287. There are still around 2,217 pagodas among the remains of another 2,000 temple ruins. See also Pegu and Hongsawadih. 2. Art style from the period and region of Pagan. 1. A temple, religious or sacred tower in the form of a pyramid, often consisting of several stories and found in Burma, China, Korea and Japan. Similar to a chedi or stupa.
2. Idol found in such a temple. 3. In Vietnam, a temple in Mahayana Buddhism. Thai name for mangrove woods. pah kahsahwapad (ผ้ากาสาวพัสตร์) Thai. The saffron to brown colored robe for Buddhist monks. Within the temple compound this robe covers only one shoulder, but when monks go outside they usually cover themselves completely (fig.). When working (fig.) they wear a lighter shirt called angsa (fig.). Also kahsahwapad. See also traijiewon.
Thai. Multi-functional loincloth usually worn around the waist by farmers (fig.), when not used. It serves as a sarong, a loincloth for bathing in the open or as a headscarf but may also be applied as an improvised bag and sometimes even to cook food in.
Thai. 'Prostrating cloth'. A piece of cloth placed in front of an altar or Buddha image for resting one's hands and head while praying. This 25 by 50 centimetre yellow cloth is mainly used by -especially newly ordained- monks and novices and is often seen attached to their traijiewon. See Parileyyaka and pahng pah leh laai. Thai. The position, pose or style of a Buddha image, e.g. as used in the Phra prajam wan geut system. Also paang. Thai. 'Position of eating the gall-nut fruit'. Buddha image seated in the half lotus position with his left hand in his lap and with his right hand placing the gall-nut fruit (samoh) in his mouth to eat (chan). The Buddha sits enjoying happiness under a tree during the seventh week after his Enlightenment when in the morning Indra offers him the samoh, the medicinal fruit of the gall-nut tree, a tree of the genus terminalia. An alternative pose referring to the same narrative is called pahng rab (phon) samoh and shows the Buddha accepting the fruit with his right hand. Also pahng chan phon samoh. pahng hahm phra kaen jan (ปางห้ามพระแก่นจันทน์) Thai-Rajasap. 'Position of stopping the sandalwood Buddha image'. Buddha image in a standing pose with a abhaya mudra corresponding to Monday in the Phra prajam wan geut system. In this pose the left hand is raised with the palm forward as if making a stopping sign and it refers to a scene when the Buddha returned from Tavatimsa heaven. When the Buddha was away king Udayana had a sandalwood replica made of him which he erected in a large hall in Sravasti. On his return this Buddha image greeted the Buddha in a miraculous manner, but the Buddha stopped this by raising his left hand ordering the image back to its place to enable it to serve as an example for the making of other images after his death. A variation of this is the abhaya mudra with the right hand raised, known as pahng hahm yaht. Only in Thailand there exists yet another variation in which the Buddha has two hands raised in front of him with the palm forward (fig.), known as the pose of 'calming the waters', in Thai pahng hahm samut.
pahng hahm samut (ปางห้ามสมุทร) Thai-Rajasap. 'Position of stopping the ocean' or 'calming the waters'. Buddha image in a standing pose with an abhaya mudra performed with two hands, a pose found only in Thailand. This pose correspond with Monday in the Phra prajam wan geut system and refers to an episode where the Buddha calmed the flood waters of the Nairanjana River, a tributary of the Ganges in North India. See also pahng hahm yaht and pahng hahm phra kaen jan.
Thai-Rajasap. 'Position of stopping the relatives' or 'calming the relatives'. Buddha image in a standing pose with an abhaya mudra corresponding to Monday in the Phra prajam wan geut system. In this pose the right hand is raised with the palm forward, as making a stopping sign. It refers to an episode where the Buddha returning from Tavatimsa heaven after an absence of three months stopped a quarrel among his relatives over the rights for water of a river flowing through their land. He arbitrated between blood relatives, of both his father and mother, forcing them to make a compromise and share the water. See also pahng hahm phra kaen jan and pahng hahm samut.
Thai. 'Position of requesting for rain'. Buddha image in a seated or standing pose in which the right hand is held forward on chest level with the finger tips pointing forward or upward and the left hand is bent in front of the waist with the palm downward as if forming a bowl. This pose is related to the pahng song nahm pose and refers to a scene in which the Buddha calls for rain after a long period of drought. See also gandharattha.
Thai-Rajasap. 'Position of the overspreading naga'. Buddha image seated in meditation on the coiled body of the naga Muchalinda that uses its head as a cover against rain. This pose refers to a scene during the sixth week after Siddhartha's Enlightenment, when the naga king protected the meditating Buddha against heavy rainfall by making a shelter with his multi-headed hood and lifted him above the flood waters by coiling its body under him. According to some old texts it coiled its body around the Buddha (fig.). This pose corresponds with Saturday in the Phra prajam wan geut system. Occasionally represented with the Buddha seated in a bhumisparsa pose (fig.).
pahng pah leh laai (ปางป่าเลไลย์) Thai-Rajasap. 'Position of Parileyyaka (pah leh laai) [forest]'. Buddha image in a pose seated in western style with a monkey and an elephant in the front. This image corresponds with Wednesday during night-time in the Phra prajam wan geut system. The pose refers to a scene in Kausambi during the tenth year after the Buddha's Enlightenment, when the disciples were quarreling amongst themselves causing the Buddha to retire in the forest, searching for calm. A monkey then brought him honey to eat and an elephant, water to lessen his thirst. This pose is also called Rahu (compare with Rahu in the Indian phra prajam wan system - fig.).
pahng plong kammatahn (ปางปลงกรรมฐาน) Thai-Rajasap. 'Position of meditating (kammataan) on the cremation or disposal of [a corpse] (plong)'. Buddha image in a standing pose with a walking stick hanging from his left hand and his right arm pointing downward, the hand slightly forward as if making a gesture, although the positions of the right hand and arm may vary slightly. It refers to the scene in which the Buddha meditates beside the corpse of a girl in Sawatthi on the nature of phenomenal existence and its cessation. Afterwards he took the girl's shroud and made it into a monastic robe thus symbolizing the transience of life.
pahng prathap yeun (ปางประทับยืน) Thai. 'Position of standing at ease'. Buddha image in a standing pose with both arms hanging passively alongside the body and the eyes downcast. In this pose the Buddha stands quietly before commencing his duties thus reflecting his complete awareness of what he is doing.
Thai. 'Position of accepting the gall-nut fruit'. Buddha image seated in the half lotus position with his left hand in his lap and his right arm extended to accept (rab) the gall-nut fruit (samoh). The Buddha sits enjoying happiness under a tree during the seventh week after his Enlightenment when in the morning Indra offers him the samoh, the medicinal fruit of the gall-nut tree, a tree of the genus terminalia. An alternative pose referring to the same narrative is called pahng chan (phon) samoh and shows the Buddha placing the fruit in his mouth with his right hand. Also pahng rab phon samoh.
Thai. 'Position of reflecting or thinking in retrospect'. Buddha image in a standing pose with both hands crossed over the chest, meaning 'contemplation', 'consideration' or 'retrospective thinking'. This pose refers to a scene in which the Buddha contemplates the subtle nature of dhamma and ponders on how to reveal this to mankind. This happened after the visit of the two merchants Tapussa and Bhalika came to pay their respects. The Buddha considered that his teachings may be understood better by some than by others. He compared this with the image of lotus flowers in which some are already flourishing above water and others are still below the surface awaiting their bloom. The pose of this image corresponds with Friday in the Phra prajam wan geut system.
Thai. 'Position of sleeping or reclining'. Buddha image in a reclining pose. According to Indian tradition this pose refers to the Mahaparinippahn of the Buddha. Whilst in Thailand, from the Sukhothai period on, it is seen rather as a resting Buddha. The soles of the feet of larger Buddha images in this pose often bear the 108 auspicious signs (fig.). According to yet another view this pose refers to a scene in which the giant Asurindarahu wanted an audience with the Buddha. Proud of his size he didn't want to bow before the much smaller Buddha. Aware of the thoughts of the giant the Buddha manifested himself lying down with an enormous body, his feet larger than the body size of this giant (fig.). Totally impressed Asurindarahu learned a lesson, namely that there might always be more important or larger beings than one expects and therefore one better not believe rumours without prior consideration. This image corresponds with Tuesday in the Phra prajam wan geut system.
Thai. 'Position of meditation'. Buddha image in a seated pose of concentration or meditation, similar to the dhyani mudra. It refers to a higher form of meditation and corresponds with Thursday in the Phra prajam wan geut system, associated with teachers, lawyers and judges. See also samaddhi.
Thai-Rajasap. 'Position of having a bath'. Buddha image in a standing pose with a bathing cloth over the left shoulder and the right hand in front of the chest, as if throwing rain water over himself. The left arm hangs passively alongside the body. This pose refers to a scene that happened in Kosala district at Sravasti, in India. After receiving many meagre meals in his alms bowl during a prolonged period of drought the Buddha pitied the population and asked his disciples for a bathing cloth near a lotus pond in the garden of Jetavana. When he started to walk in the direction of the pond it began raining and the Buddha washed himself with rainwater. See also pahng kho fon. pahng tawaai naet (ปางถวายเนตร) Thai-Rajasap. 'Position of dedicating (tawaai) [with] the eyes'. Buddha image in a standing pose with the arms crossed in front of the waist, the right hand resting on the left. It refers to a scene just after the Buddha's Enlightenment when he, according to legend, admired the bodhi tree in gratitude for a whole week without even blinking his eyes (naet). During this event the Buddha was in a state of bliss in which he realized the triviality of all foregoing in his life and contemplated on the suffering of all living things, including the bodhi tree. This image corresponds with Sunday in the Phra prajam wan geut system and its name may also be translated as 'the open-eyed posture'. It is also known as the 'position of standing in pensive thought'.
Thai-Rajasap. 'Position of carrying the alms bowl (baat)'. Buddha image in a standing pose holding an alms bowl with both hands. This image corresponds with Wednesday during daytime in the Phra prajam wan geut system. This pose refers to the first morning in Kapilavasthu on the Buddha's first visit to his father's palace. In the early morning he went to beg for food among the subjects of his father since nobody had actually invited him for breakfast, although they had received him the night before and had prepared breakfast. Tradition however does not allow mendicant monks to ask for food but eat whatever they are offered by believers.
Thai. Name for a traditional sarong-like garment for both women and men in the past. It consists of a piece of cloth wrapped once around the body and tied in a knot in the vicinity of the navel. It can be left dangling but as a rule the front end of the cloth is brought up and fold between the legs to the back, where it is stuck behind the belt.
pah phrae mongkon (ผ้าแพรมงคล) Thai name for a piece of 'silk' cloth in several different colours used in elemental worship and tied around objects, either to worship or for protection, such as the bow of a boat or a tree. In spite of its name this cloth is usually not made of silk (phrae) but is rather of a synthetic fabric.
1. Thai. Piece of cloth with yan numbers and inscriptions, used as a charm to make someone invulnerable. Often red but appears also in others colours. Also known as pah yan.
2. Thai. An armlet used as an amulet or charm to make someone invincible and which may sometimes have yan inscriptions. It is typically used in muay thai boxing, worn on the biceps (fig.). Thai. 'Celestial or heavenly cloth'. Ornament or decorated piece of cloth hanging in front of a pedestal. It is part of the pedestal and made from the same material. Usually with seated Buddha images or other seated deities.
Thai-Chinese. Name of a wok-fried pastry which, prior to consumption, is usually dipped in soya milk (nahm tao hoo), sweet and sour milk, or coffee. When fried the dough becomes of a golden colour and swells into a quaint curved x-shape. Sometimes translated as Chinese donut.
Thai. The code of 227 precepts for a Buddhist monk. See also Buddhist precepts. Thai. Cloth or clothes offered by a groom to his parents in law, after a wedding ceremony. See pah prachiad. Thai name for brocade. Thai. An obsolete coin equal to three satang. Thai. Name for Indra's abode, banner and vehicle. Thai. Sculpted vegetables. See also ponlamai kae salak. 1. Thai. A 'female' kite that fights the chula (fig.), the 'male' kite, during kite contests. The aim is to try and eliminate each others kite in the air. The pak pao has a diamond shape. See also kite flying fights.
2. Thai for 'globe fish', 'balloon fish' or 'puffer' of the genus tetraodon. Thai for water hyacinth. 1. Dynasty that ruled over the Bihar and Bengal regions in northern India, between the 8th and 12th centuries AD. 2. Name given to an art form between the 8th and 12th centuries AD from the North Indian empire of Bihar and Bengal. Indian style sedan chair with a hood and concealing curtains. Also yahnamaht and yahnumaht. See also saliang and kaanhaam. An ancient language derived from Vedic Sanskrit and used in the sacred texts of Theravada or Hinayana Buddhism, contrary to Sanskrit which is used in Mahayana Buddhism. 1. A sacred image upon which protective and supernatural powers are bestowed. 2. Rare white metallic element used as a catalyst and in jewellery. A Hindu dynasty in Southeast India that flourished between the 4th and 8th centuries AD usually classified as post Gupta, from the 6th to 8th century AD, a significant period in art history. Name of a hill tribe people in Thailand, originally from Burma's Shan State. Their language belongs to the Austro-Asiatic linguistic group and they live principally in the province of Chiang Mai, where their population is estimated at around 2,300. Palong women traditionally dress in a short, usually blue or black, shinny jacket with a red collar and broad silver waistbands over a long red sarong. Their headdress is usually a simple towel wound around the head like a turban (fig.). Both men and women customarily decorate their teeth with gold and some women wear large, silver, disc-like earrings (fig.). Their livelihood consists of agriculture e.g. the growing of crops such as rice, corn, beans, sugarcane, tobacco, chilies and small plants yielding starchy roots. Besides this they keep small live stock and in Burma their means of living includes the cultivation of tha nat phet, a green leaf also known as carbia myxa which is dried and used for wrapping Burmese cheroot cigars.
Thai name for Burma. Panaspati (पनस्पति) Sanskrit. 'Lord of the jungle'. A form of Shiva who offers protection against the dangers and demons of the jungle. The term also refers to either a composite winged animal head or a mythical animal that combines the body of Nondi (Shiva's bull), the wings of Hamsa (Brahma's swan) and the head of the Garuda (Vishnu's vehicle). In Thailand as well as in Mon Dvaravati art it is occasionally depicted as the vehicle of the Buddha. Sometimes equated with kala, kala face or kirtimukha. Latin. Scientific name for ginseng. Thailand has two pandas, that were donated by China as friendship ambassadors which are kept in Chiang Mai Zoo. These large bear-like black and white mammals are native to China and Tibet. Their natural habitat is high up in the mountains of the Himalayas and they feed exclusively on bamboo. Also called giant panda and in Thai mih paendah.
Latin. Large genus of trees with around 600 species, found from East Africa to Australasia and the Pacific. They are palm-like evergreens and some grow to 15 meters and more. Thailand has two main species, namely the pandanus helicopus, called ton toey and the pandanus ordorus, called ton toey hom. Both have long and narrow sword shaped leaves, but those of the pandanus helicopus have an spiked edge, resembling the leaves of a pineapple plant, and those of the pandanus ordorus (fig.) are smooth and are often used in cooking as a wrapping to give the food a specific scent or taste (fig.). Those are called bai toey hom and because of their scent (hom) they are often seen in bundles on the back shelf of cars, mainly in Bangkok taxis (fig.). They are often grown in floating gardens on the water and therefore in Thai also referred to as bai toey nahm, 'water pandanus'. The edible fruits of the lamjiak or screw pine species are orange berries that resemble pineapples (fig.).
Pandava (पाण्डव) The tribe who fought with the Kauravas in the battle at Kuruksthera. Their leader was Pandu. Pandu (पाण्डु) Sanskrit. 'Whitish'. Leader of the Pandava tribe and the (natural) father of Arjuna. pangkaan tang phra prajam wan (ผังการตั้งพระประจำวัน) Thai. Plan used in the Hindu phra prajam wan system indicating the order and direction of the different gods, including Rahu and Ketu.
Sanskrit-Thai. The five great rivers of India. See also Sapta Sindhava. Sanskrit-Thai. The five ascetics who eventually became disciples of the Buddha.
Thai. 'Rainy season'. Period from June to October that coincides with Buddhist Lent when the monks retreat in their temples to study and meditate, and refrain from traveling to prevent destroying young vegetation and new life that blooms in this period. According to tradition many young boys are ordained as novices (naen) or monks (phra) for the duration of this period. See also khao pansa and owk pansa. Thai. 'Thousand eyes'. A name for the god Indra. Thai. A king who lives for a thousand years, like the king from the story Khun Chang Khun Paen. See also Somdet Phra Pan Pie Luang. A small kind of tree with the scientific name carica papaja that grows to a height of 7.5 meters. The unripe fruits are used as the main ingredient in the popular Thai dish somtam. When ripe the fruits turn orange and resemble the honey melon. Also called melon tree, pawpaw and in Thai malako.
Latin. 'Sleep causing poppy'. A 50-150 centimeter tall plant in the botanical family of papaveraceae from which opium and morphine are extracted. Each plant normally yields 3 to 8 opium pods and its flowers may vary in colour from white-pink to red-purple.
A tree with the scientific name broussonetia papyrifera whose bark is used to make paper. In Thai ton sah, ton poh sah and ton poh krasah. Thai. 'Body cremation pavilion'. Thai term for a crematorium. Also tee plong sop and meru (mehn).
Thai. A graduate in theology. Sanskrit. Forest near Kausambi where two conversions took place. The first in the seventh year after the Buddha's Enlightenment, concerning the yaksha Avalaka, a tyrannous monster of immense powers who terrorized an entire city, and four years later, the conversion of the bandit Angulimala (fig.), the delinquent son of a brahmin who entered into the service of an evil master. It is also the forest to which the Buddha retired on his own to find rest and where he enjoyed the company of a lone elephant and a monkey, of whom he received miraculous assistance, a scene often portrayed in iconography and called pahng pah leh laai (fig.). In Thai usually called 'pah leh laai', but also 'pah li laaika', 'pah li laaik', 'pah leh laaik', 'pah pah li laaik' (pah li laaik forest), and 'pah pah leh laai' (pah leh laai forest). The name Parileyyaka is derived from the name of the elephant who waited on the Buddha. parinippahn (ปรินิพพาน, परिनिब्बाण) Thai-Pali. Term for a state of complete bliss. With regards to the Buddha, oblivious to worldly things. See also Mahaparinirvana. parinirvana (परनिर्वाणि) Sanskrit. In Buddhism the final nirvana after death, when all rebirths cease. See also Mahaparinirvana. Thai for an academic degree. See also education. Thai for a doctor's degree or doctorate. See also education. Thai for a master's degree. See also education. Thai for a bachelor's degree. See also education. Sanskrit. 'Daughter of the mountain'. The shakti of Shiva in a serene form and mother of Ganesha (fig.). Also known as Uma and Devi.
pasa (पाश) Sanskrit. 'Lasso'. An attribute of Ganesha (fig.) used to combat lust and desire. In Thai buangbaat. Pashupati (पशुपति) Sanskrit. Shiva as the 'Lord of wild animals' or 'lord of creatures'. In South India this form of Shiva is represented with four arms, with one hand in a blessing pose, the second opened to accepting an offer, the third holding an axe, and the fourth with a small deer leaping from it. Name of a plant of which worldwide around 500 species exist. Most passionflowers are vines and grow in both the cooler mountains and the much hotter climate of the tropical rain forest. Passionflowers have a wide variety of colourful flowers, often perfumed and with additional sweet nectar glands on leaves, petioles and sometimes bracts. Its fruits contain a juice with an unique aromatic taste and smell. In Thai called katakrok, a name with a double usage, notably for the passiflora caerulea, as well as for the olax scandens, a species of plant belonging to another family. See also passionfruit. Tropical fruit in Thailand belonging to a plant in the family of passionflowers and mainly cultivated in the North and Northeast. The fruits have a thick bright green skin with small light yellow to white spots, and their shape resembles a tomato. Inside its thick rind the passionfruit has many dark coloured seeds that are covered with a rather slimy fruit of flesh (fig.). It is best eaten with a teaspoon and its sweet and sour taste perks up by adding a little salt. The fruit season is from October to November. In Thai called sawarot.
Sanskrit. A commemorative plaque or tablet made from earthenware, stone or metal, bearing the depiction of a deity. See also votive tablet.
Thai. Collective name for both the lotus and water lily. See also padma. Thai. 'Lotus city'. Capital of a province (map) of the same name in Central Thailand, situated 46 kms North of Bangkok. The province has seven amphur.
See Prajim. Thai-Chinese. A famous entertainment district in Bangkok's Bangrak area, named after the Chinese Patpongpanit family that owns much of the quarter's property. Immigrants from Hainan, they purchased the land in the post-bellum years of WWII, when it was little more than an undeveloped plot of land on the outskirts of the city. Situated on the periphery of today's Sathorn's business district, between Silom and Suriwong road, Patpong has become a redlight district consisting of two alleys (Soi Patpong I and Soi Patpong II) with lots of nightclubs, go-go bars and a busy night bazaar. The area is frequented by mostly foreign tourists. Also transcribed Pat Pong, Phatphong and Phat Phong. Capital of a province as well as the name of the province itself, on the east coast of the southern Thai peninsula 840 kms from Bangkok. The province (map) is situated to the West of an enormous inland bay on the Gulf of Thailand but the spit of land that forms the bay belongs to the province of Songkhla. The province has nine amphur and one king amphur.
Capital of a province (map) of the same name situated on the east coast of the Thai peninsula in South Thailand, 1,055 kms from Bangkok. Its population of approximately 41,000 is largely Muslim and the city has a strong Islamic character. On the outskirts of the city stands the Masjid Klahng Pattani, the Pattani Central Mosque (fig.), the largest Muslim house of prayer in Thailand (fig.). Many southern Thais are in fact Malay by race, tongue (Yawi) and culture, and are known as Malay Thais or Pattani Thais. Their history can be traced back to the ancient Malay kingdom of Langkasuka in the 2nd century, up until the Pattani sultanate of the 19th century when it was an independent Islamic kingdom. In the 7th century it was part of the Mahayana Buddhist empire of Srivijaya, but during the Ayutthaya period it became a vassal to the Siamese court, a status manifested by sending silver and golden miniature trees to its kings. After the fall of Ayutthaya to the Burmese in 1767 the very existence of Siam was in doubt and with the establishment of the Chakri dynasty and the beginning of the Bangkok period, especially from the reign of Rama I to Rama III, Siam sought to consolidate its power and strengthen its position by trying to incorporate the Pattani state into its kingdom. This was seen as an important strategic issue by the Siamese who wanted to ensure control of the southern peninsular coast which enabled them to attack the Burmese in the rear from the south. Resisting the military attacks of the Siamese many Malay Muslim villagers were forcibly uprooted and transported to Bangkok. In 1785 royal troops fought in the West of the country against the Burmese army near Meuang Faai. After this campaign they retreated to Songkhla where they learned of a Pattani rebellion against Rattanakosin. The troops were given new orders and sent to Pattani which they recaptured confiscating two cannons. They offered the largest one, having a length of 3 wah (6 meters) and named 'Phaya Thani' (fig.), to the king. In 1832 sultan Ahmad Tajuddin of Pattani also tried in vain to liberate his land from Siamese control. Finally, by the virtue of the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909, the southern region was divided between the Thai and British colonisers in Malaysia, in which Britain formally acknowledged the Pattani state as a part of Siam. In total five provinces, namely Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Songkhla and Satun were forced to accept Siamese authority. Tengku Abdul Kadir, the last ruler of the Pattani state, led a revolt but was captured and imprisoned for ten years. He later went into exile in Malaysia. Up to date active Muslim separatists are still trying to liberate the deep South from Thai rule. This province has twelve amphur. It's attractions include the Masayid Kreu Se (fig.) and Lim Ko Niau shrine (fig.).
Thai. The territory or grounds belonging to a wat or temple, usually demarcated by Buddhist flags (fig.). Thai. Popular seaside resort (map) on the East coast of Thailand, in the province of Chonburi (map). Its name is possibly derived from 'thap phaya', the army (thap) of a phaya, referring to the troops of general Taksin (later king Taksin) that were stationed in the area. However, other sources claim that the name comes from the southwest wind which in Thai is spelled slightly differently and named phat taya. Each year on April 19th it celebrates the Pattaya Festival, a local extension and climax of the nationwide Songkraan Festival. Also transcribed Phattaya.
Annual festival in Pattaya on 19 April, usually celebrated as a kind of local extension and climax of the nationwide Songkraan Festival. Thai. To restore old temples, Buddha images (fig.) and palaces.
A nickname for papaya. In China, the peach is a symbol of longevity. Xi Wangmu, Queen Mother of the West and mother of the Jade Emperor, has a magical tree that bears peaches of immortality. Whoever eats from them will attain everlasting life. Being the guardian of this peach tree, she one day called all the gods together to let them feast on a banquet of its auspicious peaches, so they gained immortality. This extraordinary tree produces peaches only once every three thousand years and its fruit is an attribute of several deities, including the Eight Immortals (fig.) and Shou, one of the Three Star Gods, who is sometimes depicted sitting in a large peach (fig.). Also every other part of the tree is believed to posses some special powers and its wood, for example, is used to ward off evil spirits. For that reason many Taoist spiritual tools, such as charms, amulets and seals are today still made of peach wood. Legend has it that Sun Wukong, the Monkey King stole some peaches (fig.) from the garden of Xi Wangmu and subsequently attained immortality.
State of the Mon before annexation by Burma. Situated in present-day lower Burma in a region once called Hongsawadih. It later became part of the Pagan empire when it expanded its power from the North. Thai for opium weight. Chinese. 'Miniature landscape'. Chinese term for the art of tray scenery, the growing of miniature trees in trays, usually better known by its Japanese name bonsai. See prik thai. A fruit from China with the scientific name diospyros kaki and belonging to the botanic family ebenaceae. This orange coloured fruit resembles a tomato in size and form and has on its top four sturdy kaki leaves. There are several species, some hard others softer. The skin is hard to digest and is better left uneaten, unless when in dried form (fig.). Otherwise it is best peeled or cut in half and spooned out. In Thai called phlab, phlab jien, maphlab and takoh.
Northern Thai term for tawak. Thai. A base or pedestal for a tray, cup or bowl (khan), often used as a platter.
Thai. Northern dialect. Earthen oil lamp in northern Thai style. Its appearance differs according to the craftsmanship of the maker and age. It is used to enlighten the environment as well as an offering, similar to a lantern or censer, by lighting it and place it decoratively in a temple or at any place of worship during important religious holidays or festivals. Besides this it is also used in daily life as replacement for an ordinary lamp, to illuminate darkness during the night. To kindle a phaang pha theed, a coiled-up, cotton cord is placed in the base of the lamp, as a wick, and lubricated with coconut oil, sesame oil, groundnut oil or tallow. Sometimes called or transcribed phaang pha teed, phaang pra theeb, phaang pra theet, phaang pha theet, phaang pha teeb or phaang pra theep.
Thai. Name of a popular dish made from flat rice noodles stirred in a wok (phad) with other ingredients. To begin with the wok is heated up adding cooking oil, an egg that needs to be scrambled with a fork and some chicken broth to soften the noodles which are put in next. Then soybeans are added, followed by dried shrimps, slivers of carrot, green shallots leaves, ground peanuts, tamarind sauce, small cubes of fried tofu and some ginger. The dish is usually served with a whole fresh shallot and a slice of a banana plant's flower bud.
Thai. 'Astrological sheet'. Name for a small gold coloured metal sheet with astrological yan signs distributed at temples or at certain ceremonies and intended to enhance good fortune. One has to write ones name and date of birth on it (using a metal pin or nail) and then deposit it in a large box in the temple. Sometimes the metal sheets have the shape of the leaves of a bodhi tree (fig.) and are symbolically hung on a imitation tree at the temple. Afterward they are melted and the cast into a Buddha image, thus allowing everyone to contribute in the making of a new Buddha image. Also known as phaen duang yan maha pohkkasap, what translates as 'astrological yan sheet for great wealth'.
Thai. The robes offered to monks during a thod phah pah ceremony. Thai. A simple sarong-like skirt somewhat like a tube skirt.
Thai name for bamboo. Also mai phai. Thai for water spinach, a vine-like plant that grows plentifully in usually shallow, standing water, such as ponds, ditches and roadside canals. Its botanical name is water convolvulus and it belongs to the genus ipomoea. In English it is also known as morning glory and swamp cabbage, and in Thai as phak bung farang and phak thod yod (peak fried vegetable), when stir fried in a wok. As a vegetable it is high in vitamin A and iron, and is prepared with vegetable oil or bacon fat, black bean sauce and mashed garlic cloves. If also sliced chilies are added the dish becomes known as phak bung fai daeng (red fire water spinach). The dish is spectacularly prepared in no time over a high gas flame by stir frying a handful of water spinach in a wok that regularly catches fire because of oil splashing over its side, creating huge flames (fig.). It is said that by licking the inside of the wok the flames actually add a smoking flavour to the dish. The food is popular at many night markets nationwide, where it is sometimes alternatively served as phak bung loi fah (sky-floating water spinach), in English known by the name morning glory flying vegetable: after having prepared a batch of water spinach the cook swings his wok by one handle tossing the water spinach across the market where it is caught on a plate by a waiting server, adding extra drama to the already spectacular performance of firing up the dish in lofty flames.
phak bung fai daeng (ผักบุ้งไฟแดง) Thai. 'Red fire water spinach'. See phak bung. phak bung farang (ผักบุ้งฝรั่ง) See phak bung. phak bung loi fah (ผักบุ้งลอยฟ้า) Thai. 'Sky-floating water spinach'. The morning glory flying vegetable. See phak bung. Thai. 'Peak fried vegetable'. An additional name for phak bung, when stir-fried (thod) over a gas flame turned all the way up to its highest point (yod). Thai for a female elephant. See also phlaay and sihdoh. Thai. 'Ivory/tusk (nga) of a female elephant (phang)' or 'tiller'. Name of a river, a provincial capital and a province on the west coast of the South Thai peninsula at the Andaman Sea (map). The city has a population of approximately 9,000 inhabitants and is situated at about 90 kms from Phuket and 788 kms from Bangkok. The area is well-known for the extraction of tin and often dredgers can be seen at work (fig.). There are many places of interest in the region of the Bay of Phang Nga (fig.), in the South of the province, which is known for its beautiful limestone rock formations and its many waterways in mangrove forest. On the island of Koh Panyi live Islamic sea gypsies on pile dwellings built in a bay against the face of a sheer cliff (fig.). Also renowned is Koh Tah Puh (Nail Rock Island) with its long landing-stage built in sea (fig.). It is part of Ahw Phang Nga National Marine Park and after a scene of a 007-movie was filmed here, it is nicknamed James Bond Island (fig.). Off the west coast lie the Similan Islands. This province and especially the beach resort town of Khao Lak, was among the hardest hit when a tsunami hit Thailand's Andaman coast line on 26 December 2004, killing around eight thousand people with the majority of deaths in this province, many of them foreign holidaymakers celebrating Christmas. Worldwide over 220,000 were killed or went missing. The province has eight amphur.
Thai. 'Elephant kraal'. A stockade or palisade formerly used to round-up wild elephants. It consists of a huge fence of wooden -usually teak- logs planted in the ground at an angle to keep the elephants in.
phanom (พนม) Thai-Khmer. 'Mountain'. A term often used as a name for a temple, sanctuary or sacred place, as in Prasat Phanom Rung. It also often occurs in Thai place names, e.g. Nakhon Phanom. Thai-rajasap. 'To ordain', 'to tonsure' or 'enter the Buddhist priesthood'. See also buat, buatnaag, banpacha and upasombot. Thai for 'language'. Thai. 'Northeastern Thai'. Dialect spoken in Isaan or Northeast Thailand, a region more or less coinciding with the Korat Plateau covering an area from Nakhon Ratchasima to the borders of Laos and Cambodia. See also Phasa Thong Thin. Also called Phasa Thai-Lao and Phasa Lao. Thai. 'Central Thai'. The language spoken in Central Thailand as well as the official vernacular used in all other parts of Thailand. Thai. 'Northern Thai'. Dialect spoken in North Thailand, from Tak to the borders with Burma and Laos. See also Phasa Thong Thin. Also kham meuang and Phasa Phaak Neua. Thai. 'Southern Thai'. Dialect spoken in South Thailand, from Chumphon to the border of Malaysia. See also Phasa Thong Thin. Phasa Phaak Neua (ภาษาภาคเหนือ) See phasa neua. Phasa Pheun Meuang (ภาษาพื้นเมือง) Thai. 'Native language'. A term used for 'dialects'. See Phasa Thong Thin. Thai for Sanskrit. The Thai language, Thai. The official language of Thailand and mother tongue of the Thai people. It belongs to the Tai group of the Tai-Kadai language family which are thought to have originated in what is now southern China and probably linked to the Austroasiatic, Austronesian or Sino-Tibetan language families. Thai is, like Chinese, a tonal and analytic language with a complex orthography, relational markers and a distinctive phonology. Thai linguists recognize four dialects of which Central Thai is considered the official vernacular. The other dialects are Northern Thai, Northeastern Thai, and Southern Thai. See also Phasa Thong Thin. MORE ON THIS. Phasa Thong Thin (ภาษาท้องถิ่น) Thai. 'Dialect'. In Thailand linguists recognize four dialects of which Central Thai (Phasa Klahng) is considered the official vernacular. The remaining three dialects are Northern Thai (Phasa Neua or kham meuang), Northeastern Thai (Phasa Isaan), and Southern Thai (Phasa Pak Tai). They are spoken in the areas that more or less coincide with the accepted partition of the country in regions (fig.), with East and West Thailand included with Central Thailand. All dialects belong to the Thai-Kadai language group and are strongly related to Laotian, Northern Thai, and Thai Lu, languages spoken in Laos; Shan and North Thai, spoken in North Myanmar; Nung and Tho, spoken in Northwest Vietnam; Ahom, spoken in Assam; and Zhuang and Thai Lu, spoken in parts of South China. See Patpong. See Pattaya. Thai. The southwest wind. See also Pattaya. See Constantine Phaulkon. Thai for 'king' or 'potentate'. Thai. 'King of snakes'. See also phaya and naag. Province and its capital city situated in Northern Thailand, 691 kms North of Bangkok and near a huge lake from which small fresh water shrimps are caught to be used in the local specialty kung ten (fig.), a dish of live shrimps mixed with several spices. Phayao is an ancient city from the former Lan Na kingdom, founded by king Ngam Meuang. Earlier Phayao was an amphur of the province of Chiang Rai but on 28 August 1977 its status was elevated to that of a province (map) with seven amphur and two king amphur.
The Northwest of Thailand. Generally understood to be the West of North Thailand (the province of Mae Hong Son), rather than the North of West Thailand (the province of Kanchanaburi). It is the direction of the compass guarded by the lokapala Vayu. See also Udon, Isaan, Taksin, Ahkney, Horadih, Prajim and Burapah. Thai. A kind of drum, more specifically a war drum. Thai. Name of a cannon with a length of 3 wah (6 meters) which stands in front of the Thai Ministry of Defense in Bangkok. This large cannon was confiscated by royal troops after the 1785 rebellion of Pattani against Rattanakosin, and offered to king Rama I.
Another pronunciation for Phetchaburi. Province (map) and its capital city of the same name in North Thailand, 346 kms to the North of Bangkok. The region is known for the communist rebels of the PLAT (People's Liberation Army of Thailand) who hid in the region's mountains in the seventies and eighties, and for the production of tamarind. The province has eleven amphur.
Capital of Phetchaburi jangwat, a province (map) of the same name on the Gulf of Thailand. The city has a population of approximately 35,000 and is situated 123 kms to the South of Bangkok in West Thailand. Its places of interest include the underground temple cave Tham Khao Luang (fig.) which houses a Buddhist shrine illuminated by falling sunlight (fig.), Tham Khao Yoi cave (fig.) and Khao Wang (fig.), the 'palace mountain' with the remains of king Mongkut's summer palace (fig.) and a beautiful view over the area. The province has several beach resorts, including the popular resort of Cha-am, and Kaeng Krajahn National Park, with about 2,919 kms² the largest in the country covering almost half the area of the province. The province has eight amphur. Also Phetburi and Meuang Phet.
Thai for the taro plant, a tropical plant with a tuberous root used as food. It is often found as an ice cream flavor, for one. The plant has the botanical name colocasia esculenta.
Thai for 'ghost', 'spirit', 'spook', 'devil', 'jinn', 'genie', 'demon' and 'apparition'. Phibun Songkram (พิบูล สงคราม) Field Marshall and Prime Minister during WW II. During the interregnum of Rama VII and Rama VIII the kingdom was governed by a governing council and frequently lived in the grip of military despots, including Phibun Songkram. The latter found inspiration with leaders like Mussolini and Hitler, and while he ruled the people with an iron fist he changed the name in 1939 from Siam into Prathet Thai (Thailand, land of the free). In 1944 he was forced to step down after he sided with Japan during WW II. For a while it seemed a democratic civilian regime would be installed but due to the confusion following the mysterious death of Rama VIII the military once again seized power in a coup d'état.
Phichai Dahb Hak (พิชัยดาบหัก) Thai. 'Victory by slashing swords'. A phraya (fig.) born in Uttaradit, a military leader and influential partner of king Taksin. In 1773 he succeeded in averting a Burmese invasion in his region, courageously fighting the enemy by slashing his two swords. Provincial capital of a jangwat (map) of the same name in North Thailand situated 344 kms to the North of Bangkok. The city was founded by phaya Kohton Tabong during the period when the Khmer were in power. In the Sukhothai period it was called Meuang Sra Luang. During this period it was an important metropolis and a front for Sukhothai. The province is also the hometown of the story Kraithong about the crocodile Chalawan and has nine amphur and three king amphur.
Thai. 'Conqueror of Mara' or 'conqueror of demons'. A name for the Buddha. See Phra Phikhanesawora. Thai name for an ornamental evergreen tree with a height of up to 25 meters. It provides dense shade and is regularly found in temple yards. It is also known by the names Spanish cherry tree, medlar tree, bullet wood and tanjong tree. Its scientific and Latin name is mimusops elengi. It is found throughout India and Southeast Asia.
Museum on the 2nd floor of Bangkok's northern Metropolitan Postal Bureau in Saphan Kwai district. It has old and new Thai and foreign stamps on display and its library houses a collection of post books in both Thai and foreign languages. If also features a collection of ancient and contemporary postboxes. 1. See Prasat Hin Phimai. 2. A small city situated about 60 kms Northeast of Nakhon Ratchasima in the vicinity of the remains of Prasat Hin Phimai. Character from the Ramakien. He was the chief astrologer from Langka and a younger brother from Totsakan. He was driven from the city and thus offered his allegiance to Rama. Phi Phi Islands (หมู่เกาะพีพี) The Phi Phi Islands or Moo Koh Phi Phi in Thai, consist of an archipelago of six isles, the well-known Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Le being the major islands. The marvelous scenery of the islands includes high limestone cliffs with jutting precipices, surrounded by stunning beaches and an emerald sea that hides banks of coral reefs and vivid marine life. Accommodation is available only on Koh Phi Phi Don, the archipelago's largest island with an area of 28km². The key attraction here is Ban Ton Sai, a vast stretch of white sandy beach curved in on both sides like a double bay and which is flanked by limestone mountains rising from the sea. Laem Thong at the North end of the island has a sea gypsy village and is famed for its underwater beauty. The smaller island of Phi Phi Le covers an area of 6.6km² and is notorious for its huge and airy Viking Cave which walls portray primitive paintings of sailing ships similar to those used by the ancient Vikings, hence its name. It is also home to a large number of swallows which nests made of saliva are picked from high bamboo stepladders and sold for human consumption. The island has several attractive beaches, including Maya beach which became famous as the setting for the Hollywood movie 'The Beach' and Pi Le which reaches into a valley and resembles a lagoon-like site. This part of the island is almost completely encircled by steep cliffs and to its South is a small bay called Lo Sa Ma which hides in a fold of a steep rock and provides a good spot for snorkeling. The archipelago which belongs to Krabi province was hit hard by a tsunami on 26 December 2004, killing well over a thousand while many hundreds went missing.
Thai name for Bi Xie. Thai for butterfly. Many species are endemic to Thailand, both daytime and nocturnal butterflies (fig.).
Thai. 'Marine butterfly'. A class of demons living in water. A phi seua samut appears in the Ramakien as an ogress who guards the ocean around the island of Langka and is killed by Hanuman. They also occur in the Phra Aphaimanih story.
Thai. 'Giant butterfly'. Name for the Atlas Moth (fig.). Thai. 'Ghostly vision masked dance performance'. Annual festival in Dahn Saai, in Loei province, in which dancers wearing ghostly masks (fig.) parade about in the streets. Those masks are made of the spathe of a coconut palm and the top part of a huad, a basket used for steaming sticky rice (fig.). The masks are then painted elaborately and revelers dress-up in gaudy 'ghost' costumes (fig.). The festival commemorates a Buddhist legend in which a host of ghosts appeared to greet the bodhisattva Wetsandorn upon his return to his hometown, after his exile. This unique festival is held around mid-June.
1. 'World of Vishnu'. A province (map) and its capital city of the same name in North Thailand approximately 377 kms North of Bangkok and named after the original designation for Angkor Wat. The city is located at the Nan river and is known for the Phraphut Chinnarat Buddha image in Wat Phra Sri Rattanamahathat. The city was founded in 953 AD by Garnboon and Nokrong, two former chieftains. It is also the province to which prince Naresuan was sent to govern after his exile in Burma and following his appointment as heir to the throne of Ayutthaya. The province has nine amphur.
2. According to ancient sources the original name of Angkor Wat. Thai for 'ceremony'. Phittih Kohnjuk (พิธีโกนจุก) Thai. A ritual ceremony in which a small tuft of hair, called juk by the local population, is cut off when the boys reach the age of 11 or 13. Since 12 is a pair number and considered to bring bad luck the ceremony will not be performed at that age. The growing of the tuft of hair goes back on a centuries old belief that it should prevent children from becoming chronically ill. Also spelt Pittih Kohnjuk. Phittih Sabaan Tong (พิธีสาบานธง) Thai for Trooping the Colour. Phittih Suansanam Thahaan Rachawanlop (พิธีสวนสนามทหารราชวัลลภ) Thai for the annual Military Parade of the Royal Guards, in English often referred to as Trooping the Colour. Thai for male elephant. See also phang and sihdoh. Thai for persimmon. Also called phlab jien, maphlab and takoh. A Thai name for persimmon. Thai. The temporary quarters for a king, a royal pavilion. phlab phleung teen ped (พลับพลึงตีนเป็ด) Thai. 'Duckfeet lily'. Thai name for the spider lily. Phleng Chaht Thai (เพลงชาติไทย) Thai. 'Thai National Anthem'. Part of daily Thai life is the national Anthem. It is broadcasted daily on television and radio at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and sometimes again after the last program. It is also played at the beginning and the end of each working day in some public places, such as train stations, schools, police stations, etc. In public places people will stop walking and stand up during the time it plays. The text of the current song was written by Nuan Pajinphayak, the music has been composed by Pitti Wahthayakorn, and it has been the National Anthem since 1939. The text has strong nationalistic words and translates as follows: 'Thailand is founded on the blood and flesh the Thai people share, every portion of the land belongs to us, thus we must uphold it entirely. All Thais are harmonious united and we are a peace loving people. But if war should come we will fight bravely to the bitter end, not allowing our independence to be oppressed. We are ready to sacrifice every drop of blood as a national offering, so our nation will progress and victor. Hurrah!' READ AND LISTEN. Phleng Sansaroen Phra Barami (เพลงสรรเสริญพระบารมี) Thai-rajasap. 'Song of praise to the grandeur'. The Royal Hymn which praises the majesty of the king, a song only second in importance to the Anthem. It is usually played on occasions where members of the Royal Family are present, often in combination with the Anthem. It is also played without the words prior to every feature film presentation in all public movie theatres nationwide, in honor of the king. The audience is hereby expected to show their respect by standing up. The opening words 'Kha Woraphuttachao' (I, a servant of my Lord) is the formal term used to address a king or a royal member of high rank. The music was composed in 1888 by the Russian Payoht Sachurovki and words were added by a then Thai prince but were changed several times afterwards. The current text is an improvement of one of those former texts and was written in rajasap by king Rama VI. It may be translated as follows: 'I, a servant of my Lord, humble my head and mind and pay respect to the virtuous guardian, the most supreme and mighty monarch, Siamese king of the gods, with principal exceeding honor and a cool head to look after your subjects, to wisely keep all people happy and peaceful, asking to wisely destine any wish until such is produced, expecting that the heart's desire of a glorious king like you, may prosper. Hurrah!'. READ AND LISTEN. Thai name for dipterocarpus. Thai. Bullet money, formerly a currency in Thailand.
Thai for bodhisattva. Thai for Bodhiyan. Thai. Bill of exchange, especially the one circulating among Chinese businessmen in the Far East. See also pih. 1. Thai. 'Holy' or 'sacred'. Term used to express respect and used as a prefix before the names of kings or things associated with the monarchy or royalty, gods and objects of veneration, e.g. Phra Chao Naresuan, king Naresuan; Phra Rachawang, royal palace; Phra Chedi, a stupa or chedi; etc. Generally used without changing the meaning of a word. It is related to the words Brahman and phreah. 2. Thai. A clergyman, monk or Buddhist priest, e.g. Phrasong and Phrasong Ong Chao. Also used for a saint. 3. Thai. A non-hereditary title or bandasak immediately below a Phrya and above a Luang. 4. Thai. The protagonist or hero in a story, e.g. Phra Narai and Phra Sang. 1. Thai for brahman. 2. Thai. A kind of mango. Thai. The sun god and god of Sunday. He drives a chariot pulled by seven horses and is the lokapala of the Southwest. He, together with the moon god Chandra, discovered the deceit of the demon Rahu when the amrita was distributed. He is also known by the name Nairitti (fig.) and in Sanskrit he is called Surya. His charioteer who drives him across the sky is called Aruna. See also thep prajam wan.
1. Thai. The god of war and the god of Tuesday. His mount is a buffalo. Also transcribed Phra Angkarn. See also thep prajam wan.
2. Thai-Rajasap. The ashes of royalty. Also transcribed Phra Angkarn. A Thai epic story in verse written by Sunthorn Phu. It is his most celebrated work and narrates the story of a prince who was exiled to a submerged kingdom ruled by a love struck giantess. A ngyak or mermaid helps the prince to escape to the island of Samet where he defeats the female giant by playing a magical flute (fig.).
Phra Bodhisattva (พระโพธิสัตว์) See bodhisattva. Phra Borom Maha Rachawang (พระบรมมหาราชวัง) See Phra Rachawang. Phra Boromma Sahrihrikathat (พระบรมสารีริกธาตุ) Thai. A relic of the Buddha. 1. Title of a prince in Thailand, e.g. Phra Chao Look Yah Teh and Phra Chao Naresuan. 2. In Thailand the prefix of a name or title of a monarch, e.g. Phra Chao Taksin and Phra Chao Chakrapad, where 'Chakrapad' means emperor and 'Phra Chao' is the prefix. 3. Thai. A god or deity, a divine being. Phra Chao Look Yah Te (พระเจ้าลูกยาเธอ) Thai. 'Prince, son of a king'. Phra Chao Naresuan (พระเจ้านเรศวร) See Naresuan. Phra Chao Taksin (พระเจ้าตากสิน) King Taksin. See chedi. Thai name for Rama IV, the fourth monarch of the Chakri dynasty.
Thai. 'Propagate, spread'. Province (map) and its capital city of the same name in North Thailand 551 kms to the North of Bangkok. It is situated on the southern banks of the Yom River and has a population of approximately 21,000. The region is known for the production of seua mo hom, a blue cotton farmer's shirt seen over much of Thailand and for Wat Phrathat Cho Hae a famous place of pilgrimage around 10 kms from the city center of Phrae.
Besides this Phrae is the place where the famous love story of
See Indra. Also Phra Intra. See Indra. Also Phra In. Thai for Ishana.
Thai. Protector or patron god of the arts, together with Ganesha.
Thai. The god of Monday and of the moon. He discovered the deceit by the demon Rahu during the distribution of the amrita, together with Phra Ahtit, the god of the sun. His mount is a horse. Sometimes transcribed as Phra Jantr, comparable to his Sanskrit name Chandra. See also thep prajam wan.
See Phra Kaew Morakot. Phra Kaew Morakot (พระแก้วมรกต) Thai name for the Emerald Buddha. See Ganesha. Phra Kanthakuman (พระขันธ์กุมาร) A Thai name for Kanthakumara or Subramaniam.
Phra Kathavarayan (พระกัตตะวรายัน) Thai name for Kathavarayan. phra khi mah bintabaat (พระขี่ม้าบิณฑบาต) Thai. 'Monks riding horses to go alms begging'. Term referring to the monks and novices of Wat Tham Pah Acha Thong in the amphur Mae Chan of Chiang Rai province. Every morning those clergymen set off on horseback rather than on foot to go alms begging (bintabaat) in the neighbouring villages. The novices are mostly hill tribe children.
Thai. A style of Buddha image which rattles when shaken. See Krishna. Thai name for Krishna. Thai. 'Monk-teacher'. A monk whose main task is to teach, either to lay students (fig.) or novices and monks.
Thai. The stephbrother of Rama in the Ramakien. He was the son of king Totsarot and Samut Thevi. He was the incarnation of Ananta, Vishnu's naga throne (fig.). Thai. A story in verse over a
handsome prince called Phra Lohdilokrat. The prince was lured into a love affair
with two princess-sisters by following a beautiful cock to their palace garden,
after they had used a magic spell on him. The story takes place in the province
of
Phra Mae Kwan Im (พระแม่กวนอิม) Thai name for Kuan Yin, the Chinese goddess of mercy. Depicted as a lady, she is the female form of the male bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the personification of compassion from Mahayana Buddhism. In Japan she is known as Kwannon. Phra Maha Phichai Mongkut (พระมหาพิชัยมงกุฎ) Thai. 'Crown of victory' or 'crown of honour'. Part of the Thai royal regalia or kakuttapan, consisting of a golden crown resembling a chadah.
Thai. Relic of the Buddha placed in a stupa. Such a relic without a stupa is called Phra Baromma Sahrihrikathat. See also sahrihrikathat. Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya (พระนครศรีอยุธยา) The full name for Ayutthaya, composed of Phra (sacred), Nakhon (city), Sri (majestic), and Ayutthaya (undefeatable). See Chamadevi. Thai name for Rama III, the third monarch of the Chakri dynasty.
1. Thai. Another name for Narayana or Rama, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu and the protagonist in the epic Ramayana. 2. See Phra Naraiyamaharaat. Phra Naraiyamaharaat (พระนารายณ์มหาราช) King Narai, ruler of Ayutthaya from 1656 until his death during the revolt of Ayutthaya, in 1688. See Naresuan. Thai. The hands brought together as a greeting or to pay respect. See also wai.
Thai name for Vaisravana. Also Wetsuwan. Phra Pathom Boromaha Kasatriyatiraat (พระปฐมบรมกษัตริยาธิราช) Thai-rajasap. Royal title meaning 'First Great King', a title usually given to any of the founding kings of a dynasty. The title consists of the words Phra, Pathom (First or Primary), Borom, Maha and Kasatriyatiraat (Raja-King). Both the words Boromaha and Kasatriyatiraat are compound words or kham samaht. The letter 'm' in Boromaha (consisting of Borom and Maha) is in the compound word written and pronounced just once; and Kasatriyatiraat is a combination of the words Kasatriya (derived from Kshatriya) and Raat (derived from Raj), hence our above transliteration. Phra Pathom Chedi (พระปฐมเจดีย์) A chedi situated in the city of Nakhon Pathom with a height of 127 meters, claimed to be the tallest Buddhist monument in the world. The original monument, now overarched by this enormous chedi, was erected in the 6th century AD by Theravada Buddhists from Dvaravati. In the early 11th century however the Khmer king Suryavarman I conquered the city and had a prang built over the sanctuary. Yet, after an invasion in 1057 by the Burmese from Pagan led by king Anuruddha, the prang was destroyed and it remained that way until king Mongkut had it restored in 1860 by building the present chedi over the ruins (fig.).
Phra Phareuhadsabodih (พระพฤหัสบดี) Thai. Name of the god of learning and of the god of Thursday in the thep prajam wan system. Thursdays are related to knowledge and people born on this day are said to have the qualifications of a teacher. This thought comes from Hindu religion where Thursday is called Guruvar, the Sanskrit name for Jupiter and a name derived from the word guru (teacher). His mount is a male deer and he is teacher to all the other gods. See also Wan Kruh.
Phra Phikhanesawora (พระพิฆเนศวร์) A Thai name for Ganesha. Stepbrother of Rama and son of king Totsarot and queen Kaiyakesi in the Ramayana. He is the incarnation of the chakra, weapon of Vishnu, for one. phra phum chao tih (พระภูมิเจ้าที่) Thai. The guardian spirit inhabiting the spirit house or sahn phra phum. He is the spirit who lived on the land before the house was built. Thai. The god of Wednesday and god of speech and commerce. His mount is an elephant. See also thep prajam wan.
Thai name for a buddha. Phraphut Chinnarat (พระพุทธชินราช) Important Buddha image from the 14th century housed in Wat Phra Sri Rattanamahathat in Phitsanulok and cast by order of king Mahadhammaracha Lithai. It is generally considered one of the most beautiful Buddha images in the nation. Pronounced Phraphutta Chinnarat.
Phra Phut Sayait (พระพุทธไสยาสน์) Thai name for reclining Buddha. Thai name for Buddhapada. Phra Phutta Chao (พระพุทธเจ้า) Thai name for the historical Buddha. Phra Phutta Leut La (พระพุทธเลิศหล้า) Thai name for Rama II, the second king of the Chakri dynasty.
Phra Phutta Maha Wachira Uttamopat Satsada (พระพุทธมหาวชิรอุตตโมภาสศาสดา) Official name for the Phra Phuttaroop Khao Chee Jan Buddha image.
Phra Phutta Monthon (พระพุทธมณฑล) Thai-Pali. 'Buddha-circle' or 'Buddha-mandala'. Name of a 2,500 krabiad (15.875 meters) high Buddha image of a walking Buddha in Sukhothai style, near the city of Nakhon Pathom.
Phra Phuttaroop Khao Chee Jan (พระพุทธรูปเขาชีจรรย์) Thai. 'Mount Chee Jan Buddha Image'. Name of a huge laser-carved Buddha image finished with gilded plate attached to the bare side of Khao Chee Jan (Khao Chee Chan) mountain in the vicinity of Wat Yahn Sangwarahrahm Woramahawihaan, in the tambon Huay Yai of the amphur Sattahip in Chonburi province (map). Its construction was part of a royalty-initiated project in 1996 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of King Bhumipon's accession to the throne. The official name for the Buddha image is Phra Phutta Maha Wachira Uttamopat Satsada.
Phra Phutta Sothon (พระพุทธโสธร) Buddha image in the Sothon Wararam Woriwihaan temple (fig.) in Chachengsao, a kuh bahn kuh meuang and one of the most sacred images in the country associated with Luang Po Sothon, a Phra saksit who forecast the exact time of his own death.
Phra Phutta Yotfa Chulalok (พระพุทธยอดฟ้าจุฬาโลก) Thai name for Rama I. Sometimes transcribed as Buddha Yod Fa Chulalok. He is also called Phra Pathom Boromaha Kasatriyatiraat, a title meaning the First Great King [of the Chakri dynasty] (fig.).
Thai. A Buddhist monk or priest. See also bhikku. See Phra pikku. Thai name for a votive tablet. 1. Thai. System of personal worship in Thailand in which each day of the week corresponds with a certain representation of a Buddha image for the day on which someone is born. Each image has a different pose and mudra and people make offerings to the image of his/her birthday. Personal characteristics are derived from it (fig.). Wednesday has two images, one for daylight time and the other for after sunset, all other days have just one image. Sometimes an extra Buddha image in the bhumisparsa pose is added for those who don't know on which day they are born. Also Phra prajam wan geut. See also thep prajam wan, dao prajam wan, sat prajam wan and sih prajam wan.
2. Thai. System of worship in Hinduism in which a total of nine images of deities are lined up in a square, three in a row, each facing a certain direction (fig.). There are seven deities representing the days of the week and one image representing Ketu (fig.) and another Rahu (fig.). The images are arranged in a certain order according to a specific plan taking into account the different wind directions (fig.) and is called pangkaan tang phra prajam wan (fig.).
Phra prajam wan geut (พระประจำวันเกิด) See Phra prajam wan. Thai. The main Buddha image in a temple. Thai name for Brahma. Phra Phrom Sih Nah (พระพรหม ๔ หน้า) Thai. 'Brahma with four faces'. A Thai name for Brahma when represented with a head with four faces (fig.). phra rachaphithi sip song deuan (พระราชพิธีสิบสองเดือน) Thai. 'Royal ceremonies during twelve months'. A literary work written by king Chulalongkorn in which the traditional activities and ceremonies in each month are explained, starting from the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods until the Rattanakosin period, and in addition some Buddhist rituals are clarified. For each month it describes one or more significant ceremonies as well as a number of less important rituals, plus any seasonal holidays. Thai. 'Royal palace'. The residence of the king and the royal family during the Rattanakosin period. It's construction was started by Rama I on 6 May 1782 and it was aimed to recreate the glory of Ayutthaya, the former capital which was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767, only 15 years after this event. Its site was originally occupied by a large Chinese community who the government had transferred to a place south of the city walls, an area today known as Chinatown. During subsequent reigns the palace has been extensively modified and remodelled. The palace consists of several throne halls, residential quarters and administrative offices, whilst adjacent a palace temple was built to house the Emerald Buddha. It was the religious and administrative centre of the Siamese kingdom until the end of the absolute monarchy, in 1932. Also known as the Grand Palace. Its complete name is Phra Borom Maha Rachawang. See also Chakri Throne Hall.
Thai name for Rama or Ramachandra, the seventh avatar of the god Vishnu, and the hero (fig.) from the Indian epic Ramayana, in Thailand called Ramakien. He was the son of king Totsarot and queen Kao Suriya. He was able to lift the Molih bow and thus received Sita in marriage. As the avatar of Vishnu he also rides the Garuda.
See Phra Ruwang. Thai. Title given to king Indraditya of Sukhothai, father of king Ramkamhaeng. He liberated Thailand of the yoke of the Khmer and died in 1268 AD. The Khmer king sent an envoy to Phra Ruwang to arrest him. According to legend this emissary, called Khomdamdin, was able to travel underground very fast using magical powers. However, when he emerged to deliver the Khmer King's message, legend says he was turned into stone by Phra Ruwang. Also Phra Ruang. Phra Saeng Khan Chai Sri (พระแสงขรรค์ชัยศรี) Thai. 'Sword of State', also known as the 'Sword of Victory' and a part of the Thai royal regalia or kakuttapan. It symbolizes the king's power over the army and his role as protector of the nation.
Thai. Certain Buddhist monks in Thailand to whom special spiritual powers are ascribed. Often these monks transfer their powers (saksit) onto amulets and votive tablets (fig.) which are consequently collected by devotees. See Sangthong. Thai term for the supreme patriarch of the Buddhist church. Phra Sangkatjaai (พระสังกัจจายน์) Thai. Name of a Buddhist monk who was an arhat during the time of the Lord Buddha. The Buddha praised him for his excellence in explaining the dhamma in an easily and correctly understandable manner. He is represented as an obese figure often carrying small bags of money or seated in meditation with both hands on his belly. It is said that he used to be so handsome that both angels and men took him for the Buddha. Considering this inappropriate, he transformed himself into an unpleasantly fat monk. His figurine is said to bring good luck and fortune. He is often confused with Huan Xi Fo or Budai, the Chinese 'smiling buddha' (fig.), but is distinguished by the fact that he wears Theravada Buddhist robes covering only one shoulder, against Budai who wears Mahayana Buddhist robes in Chinese style, covering both shoulders but leaving his chest and often his belly uncovered (fig.). Besides this is Budai bald whereas Phra Sangkatjaai clearly has hair. Sometimes transcibed Phra Sangkadchai. Compare with Kuvera or Kubera.
Thai. The god of Saturday. His mount is a tiger. See also thep prajam wan.
Phra Sayaam Thewathiraat (พระสยามเทวาธิราช) See Siam Thewathiraat. Phra Siam Thewathiraat (พระสยามเทวาธิราช) See Siam Thewathiraat. Thai (rajasap). The head of a king (fig.) or Buddha image (fig.)
Thai.
Name of a venerated monk. He is the son
of princess Suppawasah, daughter of the king of Kohliya. From early on in her
pregnancy, when he was still in his mother's womb, Siwalih already caused a lot
of good fortune to his mother, due her adoration for him.
According to
legend he stayed in his mothers womb for
seven
years and she was in
labour pains for
See Sang. Thai. Term for a Buddhist monk. Thai monks
need to submit to
227 rules of conduct and shave their eyebrows, in contrast to monks of neighbouring Theravada
Buddhist countries. The practice of
Phrasong Ong Chao (พระสงฆ์องคเจ้า) Thai. A Buddhist member of the clergy, monk or priest. See also Phrasong. Phra song kreuang (พระทรงเครื่อง) Thai. 'Adorned Buddha'. A Buddha image decorated with royal attire and/or jewels, and commonly wearing a chadah headdress. See also adorned Buddha and crowned Buddha.
Thai. 'To beget, to give birth, to be born', especially of a prince (rajasap). In religious context the term refers to the birth of the Buddha as prince Siddharta which took place underneath a sala tree (according to some sources under a teak tree). In iconography usually represented as Maha Maya who holds the branch of a tree with her right hand (fig.) at times whilst an infant emerges from her side. See also sinphrachon.
Thai. A future bodhisattva who will save humanity. Thai. The god of Friday and of love and beauty. His mount is an ox. See also thep prajam wan.
Phra Suthon (พระสุธน) Protagonist in the story Manohra. 1. Thai. Relics of Buddhist monks. See also Phramahathat and that. 2. Thai. Name for a stupa in Isaan. 1. Thai. A hall or room in the royal palace. See also Phra Tihnang Anantasamahkom. 2. Thai. 'Royal'. Phra Tihnang Anantasamahkom (พระที่นั่งอนันตสมาคม) Thai. The Ananta Samahkom Hall, otherwise known as the Throne Hall in Bangkok, where the national legislature assembles. It was originally built as a throne hall or coronation hall, but after the absolute monarchy was replaced by a constitutional monarchy, it was reassigned and taken into use by the state government. It is depicted on some fifty baht banknotes.
Phra Tihnang Chakri Maha Prasat (พระที่นั่งจักรีมหาปราสาท) Thai name for the Chakri Throne Hall. A Thai god and guardian of the West. Also Varuna. See Phrya. Thai name for Yama. A Khmer word meaning 'holy' or 'sacred'. It is related to the Sanskrit word Brahman and the Thai word Phra. Sometimes spelled preah. 'Cranial science'. See also kwan. Thai. 'Brahma god'. Name of a spit of land near the southern cape of Phuket island, a panoramic spot and popular during sunset. Also Laem Phrommathep and Phromthep.
Thai. A non-hereditary title or bandasak immediately below a Chao Phrya, and above a Phra. Often pronounced and transcribed as Phya. Also Phraya.
Province (map) and island (map) in the Andaman Sea facing the west coast of the southern Thai peninsula. The name Phuket originated from the Malay word bukit, meaning 'hill'. Its capital city of the same name has a population of about 50,000 and is located 862 kms from Bangkok. With approximately 810 kms² it is the largest island and connected to the mainland and the province of Phang Nga by a bridge to the North. The island is a popular holiday destination with many beaches and places of interest. It is also famous for its annual Vegetarian Festival. The province has three amphur.
See phum dokmai. Thai. Real or replica flowers arranged in a cone-shape, used as an offering (fig.). Also phum.
Thai. A tree of the family sapindaceae, yielding black edible fruit. Also cham ma liang. Thai name for the Chinese date or Indian jujube, a small berry-like stone-fruit of an oriental tree of the genus ziziphus. Its flesh is creamy-white and crispy in some varieties, while grainy in others. It is sweet with a slightly sour taste or acidulous, depending on the variety.
Thai name for Buddhism. Thai name for Bodh Gaya. Thai. Flower of the genus canna. They grow in clusters and their leaves are similar to those of the curcuma or turmeric. It is often seen in Thailand, usually of yellow, orange-red or pink colour.
Thai. The Buddhist era in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia beginning on the first anniversary of the parinirvana of the Buddha, in 543 BC. Usually abbreviated as BE. See Phrya. Name of an incident that happened on 10 December 1636 in Ayutthaya, when a party of around a dozen Dutchmen went for a boat ride on the Chao Phya River. They became drunk and made a nuisance of themselves near one of the ancient capital's holiest temples, Wat Worachet, which they disrespectfully called Wat Boeretiet, what literally means 'a boor's tit' and was possibly used jokingly to describe the pagoda-like chedis and prangs, both scared Buddhist structures. Besides having sailed past the king's palace and breached the palace safety regulations, they went on and behaved obstinately and spitefully against all Siamese who crossed their path, scolding at some, calling names to others. They even hit a servant of the prince and entered a house to steal food from a sick Siamese. When King Prasat Thong (1629 to 1656 AD) learned about the incident, he was so furious he had all the Dutchmen involved arrested and ordered trampled to death by elephants. As a consequence the king also placed restrictions on the trading activities of the Dutch East India Company. The event is described in detail in the diary of Jeremias van Vliet, the acting director of the V.O.C. outpost in Ayutthaya at the time of the incident. Bristly, omnivorous, artiodactylous mammal with a broad snout, that often appears in Oriental mythology, i.e. in Hinduism a boar (varaha or male pig) was an avatar of the god Vishnu; in Chinese tradition the pig is one of the animals in the Chinese zodiac; and Zhu Bajie is a half-man half-pig character (fig.) in the story of Xiyouji, better known as 'Journey to the West', who is also responsible for cleaning the altars of Buddhist temples where boiled pig's heads are frequently offered. See also lao moo. Thai. General name for a flute of which there are many varieties, such as the pih chawah (Javanese flute - fig.), pih mon (Mon flute), pih klahng (central flute), pih nai (inner flute), pih nok (outer flute), etc. See also pih phaat.
1. Thai. Originally counters or gambling chips introduced to Thailand by Chinese gamblers during the Ayutthaya period and used in gambling houses. Later they were also used in business transactions and eventually became an official currency, until they were banned for commercial purpose by the government in 1875. They are usually made of porcelain, but may also be of glass, horn, tin or brass. They are different in appearance and display motifs of animals and flowers and such on one side, and the Chinese character of the owner and its value on the reverse side. See also bia and phoykuan.
2. Thai. Name for a tab formerly carried by a Chinese to show that he had paid the poll tax. Name of a kind of music ensemble which features wind and percussion instruments which in Thai are also known as rhythm tools. It inculdes the pih (pih nai or 'inner flute') as the chief instrument, the ranaat ek, kong wong yai (large gong circle), ching, tapohn-drum, klong thad, etc. It is used to accompany different royal and traditional ceremonies, as well as in theatre and dance performances such as khon, lakhon, nang yai, etc. A decorative column that projects a little from the wall, usually on both sides of a doorway. Also colonette. Fruit of the ananas comosus, a plant that flourishes well in dry ground and is mainly cultivated in the provinces of Chonburi, Rayong, Chiang Rai, Prachuap Khirikhan, and Phuket. The fruit grows in the middle of a prickly plant, that bears fruit up to three times. Afterwards the plant needs to be replaced by new shoots. Pineapples or representations of them are also often offered in temples and shrines, especially in Chinese Mahayana temples, because the pattern of their skin is similar to that of a dragon, snake or naga, sacred animals in Buddhism. In Thai sapparot.
Thai. Name of a river in North Thailand that flows through Chiang Mai and merges with the Nan, Yom and Wang rivers near Nakhon Sawan together forming the Chao Phraya river. A name similar to that of the river Ping also occurs in the old name of Chiang Mai, that is Nopburi Sri Nakhon 'Phing'. Another name for the pink shower tree, a deciduous tree up to 12 meters with the Latin name cassia bakeriana. In Thai called kalapa phreuk.
Latin name for the pepper tree. See prik thai. See pitaya. Name for the dragon fruit or pitahaya which in Thai is known as kaew mangkon. Thai. 'To cover with gold', especially applying gold leaf to Buddha images and sacred objects. Usually gold leaf used in temples is of an inferior quality containing about 4% gold, whereas genuine gold leaf is made from pure gold.
See Phittih Kohnjuk. Thai. Name of a bamboo woven basket used in Northern Thailand to collect the grains when threshing rice the traditional way. It is similar to the kraboong in the Central region, but rounder and shorter, with an edged round mouth and narrow square base, and a pair of ears for carrying rods. It is generally divided into three sizes: large (piyad luang), medium (piyad hahm) and small (piyad noi). Its shape may vary depending on local usage and preference, e.g. a piyad from Nan and Phrae provinces comes without an edged mouth and is sometimes called bung teep. Piyad are at times woven in intricate patterns and varnished with rubber resin.
Thai. 'Beloved great king'. A predicate for king Chulalongkorn. Pronunciation Piya Maha Raat. pladkik (ปลัดขิก) Thai. A phallus, usually carved from wood. They come in all possible sizes and smaller ones (fig.) are often worn by men around their waist hanging from a string or chain as an amulet. It symbolizes the Hindu god Shiva and is supposed to avert misfortune and trigger good luck - Shiva is Sanskrit for 'auspicious'. It is seen by some as a fertility symbol and thus comparable to the linga. Some pladkik may have the figure of a tiger, a monkey or some other animal or even a lady attached to it. A pladkik with a monkey also refers to the linga, as the Thai word for monkey sounds similar to the word for linga, namely 'ling'. When with a tiger it may refer to the 'tiger of desire', knowing that in Sanskrit a tiger is called viagra. Some may also have cabalistic writing and yan signs carved on them.
Thai. A flame or tongue of flame. Also plaew fai. Thai. Tongue of flame, as used e.g. in the kanok or kranok design. Also plaew.
Thai. 'Biting fish'. A fighting fish used in illegal betting. Its has the scientific name betta splendens and belongs to the family of osphronemidae (formerly classified among the anabantidae). It is a small, colourful freshwater fish native to the Mae Khong river basin and of which there are several species with many different colours and features. They are originally about 6-8 centimeters in length but through crossbreeding also larger species have been created. They usually have a long veil tail and flowing fins which are mostly the result of selective breeding. Unlike other tropical fish, they obtain oxygen from the air as well as from water using their gills. This means that when keeping them in a bowl or an aquarium the top may never be completely closed, but also that there is no need for a filter or pump. This makes them popular pets with people on a budget. It is extremely protective of its area what makes it seem very hostile towards other fish, both their own kind and others, and males are more aggressive than females. If housed with others of their own kind, one will bully the other or sometimes even kill it, and when kept with other small fish it might nip at their fins. Therefore two pla kad, especially males, are hardly ever kept in the same tank but instead are kept in ordinary glass bowls, alone and away from others. If someone does keep more than one pla kad fish, they are kept in separate bowls often placed next to each other with a piece of cardboard in between them. A soon as the cardboard is removed the fish get agitated just by seeing one another. Contrary to popular belief, in the wild pla kad never fight to the death. Once one side has clearly won the other normally retreats. In a fish bowl however, there is no place to flee, so the champion customarily continues to attack the loser, often resulting in death. Another characteristic of the male pla kad is that it builds and guards a bubble nest near the surface of the water. This is a floating mass of saliva bubbles at the bottom of which the female deposits her eggs. In English known as Siamese fighting fish or betta fish and sometimes nicknamed 'Jewel of the Orient'.
1. Thai. 'Footed fish'. Name for the mudskipper. 2. Thai. Name of a small freshwater fish of the genus periophthalmodon. pla tu (ปลาทู) Thai. 'Mackerel'. Fish and fish dish in Thailand. Often seen on markets, offered in round baskets in which it is steamed. Typical is the head, that is almost at right angles to the body and the sharp fin-like scales on both sides of the tail.
Thai for a leech living in freshwater, a bloodsucking invertebrate animal with the scientific name hirudinaria manillensis which belongs to the family of hirudinae. They were formerly often used medically, for bloodletting. Its bite is not painful but the leech will inject a blood-diluting and anti-styptic agent that prevents the blood from curdling, enabling the leech to suck blood easily. Its counterpart living on land has the Latin name haemadipsa interrupta and is in Thai known as taak. 1. A support consisting of a square block at the base of a column. 2. Base or pedestal. The rectangular to round stand on which a statue is placed. Thai. 'To dispose of' or 'to cremate', especially of dead bodies. Thai-Rajasap. To give away one's worldly belongings before one passes away, a term used especially with regard to Buddhist monks. Thai-Rajasap. 'To have the head shaved', especially of Buddhist monks. An ancient brahman custom that marks the beginning of the rice planting season. See also raeknakwan. Thai for bodh. The perfect knowledge or Enlightenment by which one can become a buddha. Also called bodhiyan. Thai. Title of the sovereign or king during the Sukhothai period (1238-1350). In the Ayutthaya period (1350-1767) the title for a monarch is Somdet (Phra), in the Thonburi period (1767-1782) this has changed into Somdet Phra Chao and in the Rattanakosin or Bangkok period (after 1782) it is Phrabaht Somdet (Phra). These titles are used as a prefix to the monarch's name, which may be followed by a suffix like Maha Raj, meaning Great King. Thai goddess of rice. She is portrayed with ears of rice, sometimes in combination with a kwak gesture. Also Mae Poh Sop.
Poi Sang Long (ปอยส่างลอง) Thai. Festival in Mae Hong Son in which young Shan boys are ordained as novices during the school holidays, usually in the beginning of April. The boys are dressed up princely and during the procession towards the temple they are carried on grownups shoulders, a symbolic reference to prince Siddhartha who abandoned his secular life on a horseback (fig.). See also buat.
Pokklao (ปกเกล้า) Thai name for king Rama VII, the seventh monarch of the Chakri dynasty.
See Royal Thai Police. See thabthim. Evergreen tree with a round crown belonging to the citrus family and with a height of between four and twelve meters. Its large fruits resemble enormous grapefruits thus giving them the Latin name citrus grandis (fig.). Cultivated throughout Southeast Asia for its refreshing sweet-sour taste and those of the finest taste in Thailand come from the region of Nakhon Pathom, Chai Naat, and Phichit. Sweet and strong pomelo is often eaten as a salad or enjoyed with syrup. Its season is from November until February. Also called shaddock and in Thai som-oh.
Thai. The sovereign of an ancient city state. Thai. 'Tuft of hair'. The growing of a tuft of hair on a child's shaven head, is based on a centuries old superstition and is to prevent children from becoming chronically ill. At eleven or thirteen years old the juk is cut off during a traditional tonsure ceremony called Pittih Kohnjuk. See also kwan. Also juk, kle and molih.
Thai. Previous name for chameleon. Nowadays it is rather called king kah. Thai. Name for a xylophone-like percussion instrument which is played by either one (fig.) or two musicians. It consists of a structure with 13 wooden logs stringed together with a rope on both sides, with the lower pitch end attached to a post and the other end hooked to the far end of an horizontal bar, near the player's foot. If played by two performers, they sit on either side, one playing the melody, the other playing the drone accompaniment. It is usually placed on a stand and it is typically used in the Isaan region.
See look tihn pet nahm. ponlamai kae salak (ผลไม้แกะสลัก) Thai designation for fruit carving. Thai name for
the
See kreuang thuay chaam. Thailand has a tradition of pottery stretching from the making of simple earthenware to complex designs such as benjarong, celadon and Sangkhalok pottery. Today the island of Koh Kred in the Chao Phraya river is still an active centre of pottery run by Mon people. In Thai tham moh.
A semi-round to square bamboo basket with a large opening at the top and used to transport or confine domestic fowl, such as chicken, ducks, geese, etc. It is made from thin strips of bamboo, with the top part woven with spacious eyes as gaps for air-circulation. The large opening at the top can be blocked with flat bamboo sticks, to prevent the animal from escaping. It is used particularly by the northern hill tribe people. In Thai called takra sai kai, a name that also refers to a basket used to transport fighting cocks.
Province (map) in East Thailand as well as the name of its capital city, situated 135 kms East of Bangkok. The province is scattered with less important ruins from both the Dvaravati and Khmer period with the majority remaining unrestored and some sites amount to no more than a loose collection of laterite blocks. In the North of the province there are several waterfalls and an interesting cave. The province has seven amphur.
Prachuap Khirikhan (ประจวบคีรีขันธ์) Thai. 'Land of mountain chains'. Province (map) and its capital city that is situated along an eight kilometer long bay (fig.) on the Gulf of Thailand, 281 kms South of Bangkok in the region of West Thailand. The city has a population of approximately 25,000. Its places of interest include Wat Thammikaram, a temple founded by Rama VI on the hilltop of Khao Chong Krajok, the 'mountain hole mirror', so named after an opening in a side of the mountain in which the sea and sky seem to reflect. A colony of monkeys populates this mountain that also offers a magnificent view of both the bay and city. In this province are several beach resorts, including the famous Hua Hin. Other places of interest are the royal Kuh Ha Sawan hall in the Phraya Nakhon cave, built by order of king Chulalongkorn in the year 1890 after he had visited the cave on two former occasions, and Khao Sahm Roi Yot ('Three hundred mountain peaks') National Park near the Gulf of Thailand. This park is known as one of the best places in the world to see langur and slow loris. In addition there are crab-eating macaques and sometimes dolphins can be seen in the sea. The province has seven amphur and one king amphur.
pradakshina (प्रदक्षिण) Sanskrit. A clockwise circular procession around a temple or an important shrine or stupa with the temple or shrine at the right, as performed in Thailand during the festival of Khao Pansa when worshippers circle the main sanctuary of a temple three times holding burning candles. In Thai thaksinahwat. See also prasavya. Thai. A class of demons from hell, taller than a house, now and then appearing at night and weeping at the top of their voices. See prasat. Prajadhipok (ประชาธิปก) Thai-Western name for king Rama VII.
1. Thai. 'West' or 'western'. The direction of the compass guarded by the lokapala Phra Warun (who is known in Sanskrit by the name of Varuna). See also Taksin, Udon, Burapah, Ahkney, Horadih, Isaan and Phayap. Also Patjim and Adsadongkot. 2. Thai. Name of the western wind. Also Patjim. Prajnaparamita (प्रज्ञापारमिता) Sanskrit. The bodhisattva of knowledge in Mahayana Buddhism. She is usually represented seated on a padmasana or lotus throne and with four arms, of which the lower two are in the dhammachakka pose. Her attributes are a book and a lotus. With her attained wisdom as the highest merit she is considered the spiritual mother of all buddhas and the philosophical aspect of Tara. Thai name for a string of beads used in Buddhism, similar to a rosary or chaplet. It consists of a rope with round, usually wooden beads and generally ends in a coloured dangling tassel. It is worn around the neck or wrist by Buddhist monks as well as lay people and used during prayers or as a talisman. Besides this it is also an attribute of many deities, such as Huan Xi Fo (fig.) and Brahma (fig.), who uses it to keep track of the universe's time and which symbolizes the substances used in the progress of creation. In Sanskrit it is called akshamala and generally comprises of 50 beads, corresponding to the number of characters in the Sanskrit alphabet, although numbers may vary and sometimes have 108 beads, possibly representing the 108 signs on a Buddhapada (fig.).
Language group related to Sanskrit and to which Pali also belongs. The largest Hindu temple in Java, known as Candi Prambanan. It was built between 900 and 930 AD on the plateau of Prambanan. The central tower with a height of 45 meters has an almost vertical structure and is a symbolic representation of the cosmic mount Meru. Thai for fishery. The term is used for the fishing industry as well as for personal fishing, both on sea and in fresh water. Thais use several methods of fishing, including cast nets (fig.), chonsae (fig.), large hand nets (fig.), not so legal harpoons or shamuak (fig.) and even totally illegal, dynamite.
Thai name for a beehive-like tower monument of Khmer origin in the form of a closed bud of a water lily and built by order of a private distinguished person. Derived from the Cambodian sanctuary tower and often seen in Ayutthaya and Bangkok period architecture. Sometimes described as a corncob shaped tower or a rectangular stupa. Compare with a chedi. Also Phra prang. Pronunciation prahng.
prasada (प्रासाद) Sanskrit-Pali for prasat or prahsaht. prasat (ปราสาท) Khmer-Thai. Palace for a king or god in which the tower in both religious and secular perspective represent mount Meru, the abode of the gods in the clouds. In Thailand the term refers to the whole temple complex and in Cambodia there is the popular prasat hin. The expression is derived from the Pali-Sanskrit word prasada meaning 'ornamental construction with a needle-like spire'. Also prahsaht.
prasat hin (ปราสาทหิน) Khmer-Thai. 'Stone palace'. Prasat in Cambodia.
Prasat Hin Ban Phluang (ปราสาทหินบ้านพลวง) Khmer-Thai. A sandstone sanctuary in the province of Surin built on a platform of laterite and with several sculptured lintels in bas-relief. The name could signify: 'stone palace' (phrasat hin) 'house' (ban) near 'dipterocarpaceae trees' (phluang). Prasat Hin Phimai (ปราสาทหินพิมาย) Hindu-Mahayana Buddhist sanctuary in Nakhon Ratchasima, in the amphur Phimai. The construction of this Khmer edifice in Angkorian style started under king Jayavarman V in the late 10th century and was completed during the rule of king Suriyavarman I in the first half of the 11th century. Hence the completion of this temple (fig.) happened even before the construction of Angkor Wat. As part of the Khmer Empire Phimai was by then already directly connected to Angkor by road.
Prasat Meuang Singh (ปราสาทเมืองสิงห์) Khmer-Thai. 'Palace of the lion city'. Name of an historical site in Kanchanaburi in which a stone sculpture of Lokesvara was found, dating from the 13th century AD and in the Khmer Bayon style (fig.). It was removed and now stands in the National Museum in Bangkok.
Prasat Phanom Rung (ปราสาทพนมรุ้ง) Khmer-Thai. 'Palace on the great hill'. An ancient Khmer temple in the province of Buriram whose construction took place between the 10th and 13th centuries AD, and is situated 383 meter above sea level. It has many well preserved bas-reliefs, including one showing Anatasayin (fig.).
Prasat Satjatham (ปราสาทสัจธรรม) Thai.
'Sanctuary of Truth'.
Prasat Ta Meuan (ปราสาทตาเมือน) A center consisting of three sites of Khmer temple ruins in the South of the province of Surin, in close proximity to the border of Cambodia which are separately known as Prasat Ta Meuan, Prasat Ta Meuan Tot, and Prasat Ta Meuan Thom. prasavya (प्रसव्य) Sanskrit. Anti-clockwise procession around a temple, an important shrine or stupa, keeping the buildings on the left. In Thai uttrawat. See also pradakshina. Thai. 'Firecracker' or 'banger'. Thai name for cluster of small explosive fireworks on a string, wrapped in usually red cardboard or hard paper casings. In Chinese tradition they were formerly used to scare off a mythical monster called Nian, the same Chinese word for 'year'. For a long time, at the beginning of spring, the monster terrorized the people of a certain Chinese village, but was eventually frightened away with the loud noises of firecrackers. Chinese Lunar New Year, called Trut Jihn in Thai, today still commemorates this defeat of evil and firecrackers are therefore an integral part of the celebrations. Over time their loud noises evolved to the purpose of creating a joyful holiday mood and they are commonly used during Chinese holidays. In Chinese called bian pao. See also Guo Nian. Thai for elementary or primary school. See education. See khai yiew ma. Thai. 'Pounding pepper'. Name for the cayenne or red pepper. Thai. 'Thai pepper'. Name for the pepper tree that produces black pepper (fig.), a spice with a hot, sharp flavour. This kind of pepper is used both in dried form and fresh in certain curries, usually with the peppercorn still attached to its stem. Its Latin name is piper nigrum. See also cayenne.
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre Computerized research and information centre for anthropology located on Sirindhorn Road in Talingchan district. The centre was established 1991 to mark the 36th birthday of princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and in response to her wish that Thailand should have a centre for research and collecting material relating to anthropology, ethnology and archeology. Prithivi (पृथिवी) Sanskrit. The 'wide one' or the 'extended one'. It refers to earth as well as its personification as a god or goddess. As a goddess she is associated with fertility and in the Vedas she is celebrated as the mother of all creatures and the consort of the sky. Often depicted as a standing bodhisattva holding a bowl with seeds or flowers. Prithivi is also understood to be the essence of the element earth. The name is also associated with Shiva and is sometimes transcribed Prithvi. Thai. 'A cluster of flowers'. A garland primarily made of fragrant jasmine -in Thai called ma-li (fig.)- commonly decorated with other colourful flowers. Often also the flowers of the kradang nga ngaw are used. Thai garlands are used as a traditional welcome gift, to pay homage and as an offering. There are many different kinds and models, the most notable being the 'malai khlong meua', a round-shaped garland to wear around the wrist; the 'malai song chai', a double garland with two ends connected with a string or band to wear around the neck; the 'malai piya', an oval-shaped garland with below a tassel of flowers and at the top a string to be hung from one point; and the 'malai tum', a somewhat bulbous garland with below a floral tassel and on top a bowed band for hanging. See also kaan jad dokmai.
Hindi. The devotion to a certain deity by worshipping his or her image. The image is sprinkled with water, offerings are made and appropriate homage is paid. Comparable with the Thai word bucha. The ancient name for Burma used in Thailand, as well as the name of the present-day Burmese town of Pokokku. Also transcribed Pugaam. Balinese temple. Purana (पुराण) Sanskrit. Ancient stories or legends written in the Gupta period and based on pre-Hindu traditions. There are eight great Puranas and many lesser. 1. A designation from Indian-English used to indicate the system of separation or isolation of Indian women; the harem system. Also purdah. In Thai wisut. 2. Partition curtain that hides women from the view of men, used to isolate Muslim or Hindu women in India. Also purdah. In Thai wisut. See also zenana. A subgroup of the Karen tribe in Thailand. Burmese. A pagoda or chedi in Burmese style with several roofs, usually made from wood. Inside it is often decorated with wood carvings of mythological figures, floral motifs and astrological symbols, or wooden engravings depicting the Jataka. The design of the pyatthat is used in both religious and royal context, as can still be seen today in the royal palace in Mandaley, emphasizing a clear link between state and religion. The typical shape most probably originated from the chattra.
The early inhabitants of Burma. |
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