Phra Kreuang: Thai protective amulets (page 1 of 4)

S🙂wasdee!

Kicking off the thread with an informative article about Phra Kreuang, protective amulets (according to local belief) that Thai people of all kinds wear around their necks:

https://www.objetsdevasion.com/guides/objet-bouddhiste/amulette-bouddha/les-amulettes-bouddhiques-thailandaises.html

You can find them all over the Kingdom: in temples, at markets, in specialty shops, and even in mail-order flyers at Seven/Eleven.

Also, heads up for those in Paris—from October 11th to 20th, there’s a collective exhibition featuring Thai artists: https://phenixwebtv.com/2019/07/23/facets-of-thailand-une-exposition-collective-de-cinq-artistes-de-la-scene-contemporaine-thailandaise/?fbclid=IwAR28PCY1t48M2DiwVlnc5uZvT20FnsxNLMppOb8d1pSfOjiw_sW_htV2CnI

@ ++, for the *sanouk* debrief from our last trip to the Land of the Free, as it’s so beautifully nicknamed.

Sânouk3😎

🙂 One of the really fun moments from our last trip to Thailand was the celebrations for Tetsakan Kin Je, aka the Vegetarian Festival, in Bangkok’s Chinatown.

What’s that? https://lepetitjournal.com/bangkok/pendant-9-jours-la-thailande-celebre-le-vegetarisme-265447

We experienced it at the Chao Zhou Shi Kong temple (or Wat Sun Changyi, photo1), tucked away in a "run-down" alley next to the famous Riverside GH, by the Chao Phraya River. In an atmosphere thick with incense and vibrant decorations, throughout the day, devotees of all ages gather in a cheerful vibe, along with donation collectors, food prep volunteers (including the loud dough-pounding pastry makers, photo2), bird and turtle vendors for liberation rituals, temple merchants, and more... At 7 PM, it’s Chinese opera time (photo4 backstage).

On the bustling Yaowarat Road, there’s also a lot of excitement: in the temples (photo3) and around the food stalls (photo5).

@++

@ ++, for the fun debrief of our last trip to the Land of the Free, as it's so nicely nicknamed.

Can't wait!!! 😉

Sawadee krap

an informative article about Phra Kreuang, protective amulets https://www.objetsdevasion.com/guides/objet-bouddhiste/amulette-bouddha/les-amulettes-bouddhiques-thailandaises.html

Nice intro 🙂

Another very comprehensive site https://magiedubouddha.com/

worn by Thais, of all kinds, around the neck

Not always around the neck (see the 2 attached images)

the Vegetarian Festival

At home, food-wise, we’re out of it, and practicing it doesn’t harm your health, plus there are some delicious dishes

Have you tried it?

😎

Beautiful day!

@Daisy: that's cool! Please be super patient with me—I post spontaneously, without "pre-writing," so I need to be in the "right energy of the moment." You understand me? @ everyone

@Pa ObeOne: excellent! As usual, I approve the footer under the rainbow lotus from the first link 😉 Amazing photos of monks—I love the wink of life: I "missed" a similar shot to your first one on Yaowarat Rd a few days ago... I have to say, I struggle to photograph people, especially their faces, and monks in particular... Khrap! Anyway, thanks for this interesting photo share. Haven’t tried it, no—I ended up eating Peking duck on Yaowarat Rd that day . But as you know, the Thai Vegetarian Festival isn’t just about earthly food... See you in this thread, may Buddha be with you! 😎

@ ++, for the sanouk debrief of our last trip to the Land of the Free People, as it's so nicely nicknamed.

Can't wait!!! 😉

😎 I’d love it if you could explain why Thailand is called the Land of the Free People? Thanks

Just a little heads-up for my kind readers—this is our 15th trip (out of 25 years) to the Land of the Free, the first under the reign of H.M. Rama X (67 years old!!! He doesn’t look it!!!) and in September.

This mini Gulf of Siam tour of 7 "holes" over 30 days took us to: Mae Nam/Koh Samui, Songkhla & Koh Yo, Phattalung & Thale Noi, Pak Nam Lang Suan, Bangkrut, Maeklong-Amphawa, and Krung Thep. It’s my whim to retrace it backward for you 😛:

Bangkok (2 nights/3 days) :

We reached it by minivan from Maeklong (1h30).

Stayed in Thonburi, by the Chao Phraya River. Exploring the area around our hotel—which, let’s be honest, didn’t wow us as much as Sathorn, with more car traffic—we still stumbled upon cool stuff (photo1—a tiny Hindu temple with a warm welcome). Dinner was one of our favorite Thai dishes, *kamou* (photo2), at the trendy Indy (Night) Market.

I wanted to check out Icon Siam: as someone who’s not into shopping malls, I’ll admit I was blown away by this new mall with its eye-catching exterior, over-the-top and luxurious interior (a floating market recreation on the ground floor, escalators with "naja" railings, art exhibits, a mind-blowing roof cascade...). There’s an interesting Icon Crafts corner showcasing high-end Thai handicrafts. Also, on the top level, an exciting exhibition of paintings and sculptures. Note that a museum opened in 2020, making Bangkok’s art scene buzz.

I wanted to visit the Alliance Française behind Lumpini—its bookstore and cultural space: meh! Except for respecting the Bordeaux painter on exhibit, Bruno Coq.

We *did* love the exhibitions at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center (across from MBK). Sadly, it’s announced to close—ugh (photo5).

My favorite amulet market, near Loha Prasat (close to Khao San Road): my Aladdin’s cave of Buddha! I spend two hours there wide-eyed, filling my bag with wholesale-priced bracelets (for Couchsurfing and BeWelcome friends passing through), *kumlai*, wind chimes, and other items for our altars. Just the visual pleasure is worth it!!

And the taste buds’ delight: at the Balcony Lounge of the Intercontinental, an afternoon tea featuring raspberry at a great quality/price ratio. I like!

A top-notch massage experience (100 THB for one hour) by the Chao Phraya River, next to a reclining Buddha (photo4).

And then, a happy wander led us to the beautiful Wat Samphanthawongsaram Worawihan, if I recall correctly (photo3).

We started our afternoon and evening in Chinatown—see my previous post on the Vegetarian Festival (photo6 of urban hustle in the neighborhood).

Random tips: To lighten our last afternoon in the capital, we left our luggage at MBK’s locker (Floor 6 - Zone B). Note: the first 4 hours are free. Perfect! We needed a shower at Suvarnabhumi before our flight: no shower service in the airport (really??!!). We had to cough up 600 THB each at the Novotel’s fitness club—5-minute shuttle and towel included, lol. Those sneaky devils!!!! The Ibis Riverside’s breakfast buffet is a great deal if you’re staying nearby: 170 THB per person.

That’s it for the City of Angels. @ to be continued: Maeklong-Amphawa😎

Move your text to your travel journal, otherwise no one will see it here.

A triumph of animism in the land of Buddha... Thais are crazy about them and sometimes spend fortunes to get the amulet that will protect them. Not so different from the religious trinkets of Lourdes and elsewhere.

Hey @Ch@louille and @B@udet!!

We’re way too lazy to like all your epic adventures without clenching, please. 😎 And anyone who’s into amulets knows there’s a "mulet" (donkey) in "amulette" 😉 As for me, I’ve set my sights on Google Translate to follow you in ze nose, hamdulillah!

(Sorry, dear reader, I’d prefer to wrap up this little travel thread faster, but I’m pretty busy at the moment. Promise I’ll try to finish in the next few days—I only have time to share our feedback on:

Maeklong (2 nights):

Stayed in a super excellent Airbnb right by the river (photo1). Transport (around 5h) from Bankrut to Maeklong by bus (Bang Saphan-BKK route), dropped off at the side of the road. Really cool 3-hour private boat tour—1200 THB—(photo6) along the canals (photo4): the advertised itinerary included 5 temples, like the stunning Wat Chulamanee (photo2) & Wat Bang Kae Noi (photo3), plus the famous Amphawa floating market (open Mondays, the day after the weekend—phew!). Nice stroll through Maeklong’s shopping center and its daily market (photo5), etcetera...

@++ for the next part, Bangkrut.😎

🙂

Bankrut (2 nights):

Transport from Lang Suan to Bankrut by express train (~3 hours, slight delay)

Third visit since 2014 and oh divine surprise: the seafront has never looked this good and the beach so clean (photo1). This time we're staying "right on the sand," one of the few places on the main beach, in a comfy Airbnb with the sweetest hosts (18 bucks! per night). We’re chilling out, tension level at 5—we’ve already "mastered" the local "tourist attractions," so the goal for this stop is just to unwind. Our kind host drives us by scooter through the coconut grove (photo2) where Peng’s little massage parlor is "hidden." One of our best massages ever! We feast on mantis shrimp (photo3) caught the day before, which only had to cross the little road to land on our plates: now *that’s* farm-to-table!! (200 THB per kilo cooked!!!) I realize I haven’t heard any reggae music in the 3 weeks we’ve been in Thailand—I’m shocked and "investigate" with our host (46a): .🤪

Anyway, Bankrut: maybe our favorite beach spot in Thailand, based on all our personal criteria—setting, tranquility, comfort (hotel options, dining, accessibility), and activity possibilities (photo4).

😎

🙂

Pak Nam Lang Suan (3 nights):

Our second big crush of the trip!

Initially chosen on the map to split up the travel time on our way back up to BKK, it turns out that a friend of ours from Samui—who we’d met before she moved to the mainland—has been living there for 10 years. What a stroke of luck: she’s our enthusiastic guide-driver while we’re there.

Transport from Phattalung to Lang Suan by slow train at "peanuts" price (about 5 hours, a bit of a delay). After checking out 4 or 5 resorts at Pak Nam Beach, we decide on the last one: www.99bayresort.com (600 THB, right on the beach).

(Another more casual option among others: www.chayhad.9nha.com)

The loooong crescent-shaped beach (photo1) isn’t spotlessly clean, but it’s honestly fine (for someone like me who’s a beach-cleaning obsessive). Just know that from December to March, there are 2 or 3 "waves" of debris that wash up—apparently, it’s monstrous! 🤪 The beach is mostly home to a few fishermen on foot and joggers or walkers.

Pak Nam Lang Suan is such a pleasure to visit: its charming morning market, its "Instagrammable" temples (photo2&3), its fleet of fishing boats (photo4)... (photo5&6). There’s the joy of sightseeing, but also the vibe of the village—peaceful, smiling, kind, and laid-back. We didn’t have time to visit Ko Phitak, which you can actually walk to at low tide. I’ve got a feeling it’s a cool spot, with a few homestays 😉

A morning in Lang Suan to explore its big day market and its urban architecture, which still preserves a lot of wooden houses (photo7). Worth noting: every October, the town hosts the boat races festival, the most famous in the Kingdom.

😎

😎No idea where he’s taking us with that music 😄but for Thais, he’s the best with this song

https://youtu.be/2dSGCzeuPlA

Hey Mario,

Not as popular as Sek Loso, that's true.

I really like this one (he’s from Krabi I think, but often visiting/touring in KPG):

For Arsouille too, but you probably already have it:

https://youtu.be/KUAeqGnpUSo

++

🙂

Phattalung-Thale Noi (2 nights):

Transport from Songkhla to Phattalung by minivan (4h) Stayed at the casual Merdelong Hotel (no reservation) just a 3-minute walk from the station.

The town is nice and quiet, nothing amazing to report for my part. As soon as we dropped our stuff in the room, we asked the reception about renting a scooter to go to the floating market (it’s Sunday) 10 km away. We were handed one 15 minutes later for 300 THB (no credit card or passport required). Fun scooter ride (stopped at the historic residence of the Phattalung governor—photo1), but the floating market was a letdown 🤪 in the landscaped amusement park...

Ate *kamou* both nights at the night market by the station. Also tested and approved the very popular restaurant across from the Merdelong H (Thai sign).

Before dawn, a big storm. We’d been told the day before to get to Thale Noi (@ 1h by scooter) by 6 am to see the lotuses in bloom. Pfff, we left at 8 am, and an hour and a half later, we hired a private boat for a 2-hour lake safari (450 THB for one hour / 800 THB for two). Well, we saw some open water lilies (oh, is it too late now??), a few water buffaloes, passed some fishermen (photos 1, 4, & 5), and spotted quite a few birds of all kinds. The "sold-out" fishing nets/fishing traps: zero or close to it... Honestly, the excursion was really pleasant—we had a great time 😊—but not mind-blowing or memorable (unlike Lake Inle, for example). We think it’ll appeal more to bird lovers (apparently there are 180 "species"). Maybe it reminded us too much of the Camargue?? When we disembarked, we were taken through the small stilt-house neighborhood behind the row of shops: super nice and photogenic (photos 3 & 6—specialty sea fritters...). We could’ve checked out Ekachai Bridge, which we’d crossed by minivan on the way from Songkhla, but no—especially since rain was threatening... On the way back, we stopped for a drink at the famous Sripakpra Boutique Resort, which, while charming, still feels like a big complex... The countryside around Phattalung is gorgeous, with lots of cattle farming and beautiful rural homes.

@++, we’ll head back to Songkhla, my first big crush...😎

Sawasdee! Jeff,

Khrap! Thanks for the sound share—I hadn’t heard of it. If you say it’s the current number one, well, that’s interesting. (Still gotta admit it’s pretty cheesy, though—lol 😏). Anyway, I just wanted to echo the point about reggae censorship in Thailand, nothing more!

@Natooooo: That’s cool, khrap!!! Nice track—more my thing, even if I barely listen to reggae (or any music, really). I’m more of a silence guy. Happy to see you back in the section—it’s been missing your lighthearted vibe these past few weeks...

Sânouk3😎

I really dig the silence, actually

Style

https://youtu.be/-_3dc6X-Iwo

Sorry :)

Thanks for the story. It sounds amazing. Noting these places for a future stroll!

Keep going!

++

Otherwise, I just wanted to echo the censorship of reggae in Thailand here, nothing more!

Got it like that 🙂

And speaking of censorship and its evolution, after his essential "Made in Thailand," Lek Carabao hits hard with his new track about the legalization of weed that makes you see water buffaloes in pink 😎 to a reggae beat Cannabis Commission youtu.be/Z0P5ufGC12E

Lyrics in French (Automatic translation)

> HERE<

@ Thaiboss Besides, Sek must be having a good laugh after his various setbacks related to the topic mentioned here. In 2012, during his "rehabilitation" phase, he composed a great track: Made at Night (2012)