Some nice pics Big Boy - The youngster look really sweet.
I went for a walk on the South Downs instead - visited a couple of Inns on the way. The missus enjoyed it too.
Apparently they had a good day at Wimbledon...a couple of pics via their (often quite slow) link
http://www.buddhapadipa.org/pages/event ... r2552.html
regards Sabai Jai
Thais in the UK
Apologies, but I have not had time to read through the whole thread but am posting only in relation to Thais in the UK.
When my wife came to England some 15 years ago the first thing she said was, (remember most have not set foot outside their village), " where is the food ". I gave a quick crash course on where we eat and she assumed she could make a packet out of selling chicken on the road as there is no competition. This followed with another crash course on the Health and Safety standards of England and why this would be impossible.
My wife got a job in a Thai restaurant initially as a dishwasher, but over the years was promoted to head chef. She was earning (with tips) about 400 pounds a week. She had many Thai friends because of the occcupation resulting in many " Bock Deang " card games in the house till early hours.
Back in Thailand she misses England a great deal and wants to go back ( she now has an English passport )
Taking a Thai to England you will have no problems with Thai friends for her, boredom etc. etc. She will have a great time there.
When my wife came to England some 15 years ago the first thing she said was, (remember most have not set foot outside their village), " where is the food ". I gave a quick crash course on where we eat and she assumed she could make a packet out of selling chicken on the road as there is no competition. This followed with another crash course on the Health and Safety standards of England and why this would be impossible.
My wife got a job in a Thai restaurant initially as a dishwasher, but over the years was promoted to head chef. She was earning (with tips) about 400 pounds a week. She had many Thai friends because of the occcupation resulting in many " Bock Deang " card games in the house till early hours.
Back in Thailand she misses England a great deal and wants to go back ( she now has an English passport )
Taking a Thai to England you will have no problems with Thai friends for her, boredom etc. etc. She will have a great time there.
If it's within arms reach, there's nothing to worry about!!
Just gone back a page and seen Big Boys great pictures. Wonderful Stuff
Yes, Big Boy. The 'beauty contest' is a common occurence with the winner being the one with the most flowers.
Great to see that England accomadates those coming from the East...........The other way round please!!!!
Yes, Big Boy. The 'beauty contest' is a common occurence with the winner being the one with the most flowers.
Great to see that England accomadates those coming from the East...........The other way round please!!!!
If it's within arms reach, there's nothing to worry about!!
For those wannabe expats like me, stuck in the UK at this festive time, and really missing LOS, there's a little bit of Thailand coming to the Bristol area this weekend ie:
King Bhumipol's 82nd Birthday Celebration and
Loy Krathong Festival,
13 Dec 09 (10:30-16:00 hrs)
Manor Hall, Lower Clifton Hill, Clifton, Bristol. BS8 1BU
Religeous Ceremony (start at 10:30 hrs)
Alms-giving dedicating merit to H.M. King Bhumipol, blessing, chanting for prosperity, Dhamma talk, offering Dana to the Sangha monks and floating Krathongs to pay homage to the Buddha's footprint and to ask for forgiveness from the Goddess of the river.
Entertainment (after 12 o'clock)
Thai cultural performances such as Thai Dancing, sword dancing, Thai boxing show and Noppamus Beauty Contest. Thai dressing is encouraged for all participants.
Authentic Thai food, fresh ingredients and Krathongs will be on sale.
So, if any of you are in the Bristol area this weekend, and missing Thailand, come on down - a good day is guaranteed. Don't worry if you're a cheap Charlie - it's usually free admission
King Bhumipol's 82nd Birthday Celebration and
Loy Krathong Festival,
13 Dec 09 (10:30-16:00 hrs)
Manor Hall, Lower Clifton Hill, Clifton, Bristol. BS8 1BU
Religeous Ceremony (start at 10:30 hrs)
Alms-giving dedicating merit to H.M. King Bhumipol, blessing, chanting for prosperity, Dhamma talk, offering Dana to the Sangha monks and floating Krathongs to pay homage to the Buddha's footprint and to ask for forgiveness from the Goddess of the river.
Entertainment (after 12 o'clock)
Thai cultural performances such as Thai Dancing, sword dancing, Thai boxing show and Noppamus Beauty Contest. Thai dressing is encouraged for all participants.
Authentic Thai food, fresh ingredients and Krathongs will be on sale.
So, if any of you are in the Bristol area this weekend, and missing Thailand, come on down - a good day is guaranteed. Don't worry if you're a cheap Charlie - it's usually free admission
Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Leeds Utd 
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
The Buddhapadipa Temple, Wimbledon, London, which is the main Thai Temple in UK has opened a branch Temple in South Wales
The Sanghapadipa Temple
(Formerly Susanna Cottage)
Rhymney
Tregadar
South Wales
NP22 5QN
There are two Monks at the moment, transfered from London. The Abbot, Phramaha Sawat, who is refreshingly kind, gentle and not money orietated is a serious monk and I am sure he will run a good Temple.
Regards Sabai Jai
The Sanghapadipa Temple
(Formerly Susanna Cottage)
Rhymney
Tregadar
South Wales
NP22 5QN
There are two Monks at the moment, transfered from London. The Abbot, Phramaha Sawat, who is refreshingly kind, gentle and not money orietated is a serious monk and I am sure he will run a good Temple.
Regards Sabai Jai
Re: Thais in the UK
I would like to share an unusual experience that I had yesterday. I thought this may be of interest to the many UK readers of HHAD who have Thai wives living with them. Some of you may wish to take steps now to prevent or to arrange the following for when their time comes.
I attended a funeral of somebody I never knew. The link was that my wife was friendly with the deceased gentleman's Thai wife. I had only met the wife, albeit many times over a period of 15 years - I was basically my wife's chauffeur.
The occasion was unusual because it had been arranged as a Thai funeral. Despite the gentleman having many English friends and relatives, his wife arranged for 4 Thai Monks to send him into the next world. We have our own resident Monk who lives in Bristol, and he arranged for 3 Monks to travel down to Yate from The Buddhavihara Temple, Kings Bromley, Staffordshire for the service.
Before the service, our resident Bristol Monk came to the deceased's home to explain the running of the service to the family. When the hearse arrived, he travelled in the hearse to the crematorium, followed immediately by the minibus carrying the other 3 Monks.
When we arrived at the crematorium, the hearse pulled up. The Monks immediately sprung into action tying string wherever they could around the coffin. The Bristol Monk then unravelled the ball of string and led the Monks towards the chapel (is that the right word, or should I be saying Wat in this case?). Close family then joined by holding the string behind the Monks, and all of the Thais joined on behind the family. They then all led the coffin into the chapel, which was devoid of all Christian type crosses (I've been there several times before, and there had always been several crosses).
Everybody took their seat, with the 4 Monks facing the audience. Our Bristol Monk then took his place at the lectern and described the service firstly in Thai and then in English (the entire service was conducted with each language getting equal shares).
The first part of the service proper was the deceased's son saying a few words about his father.
The next part involved the 4 Monks standing alongside the coffin (2 each side) and chanting started (Thai only).
Next, the 4 closest members of the family put robes onto the coffin assisted by the Monks.
The close family members then made (what I assume was) a financial offering to the Monks, in return for another bout of chanting.
Finally, everybody was given an incense stick, which we all had to place onto the coffin.
Thoughts:
- I have never been to a funeral in Thailand, so I can't comment on the authenticity of what happened. However, all of the Thais seemed very happy.
- Apart from the small part by the deceased's son, this service seemed more about Buddhism rather than the deceased. It was too impersonal for my liking.
- I've often wondered what would happen if the unthinkable happened to Mrs BB. It is very re-assuring that a Buddhist service could be easily arranged.
- If was me, I'd be dead, so wouldn't be too bothered how they disposed of my body. However, if it would help Mrs BB's grief, she is very welcome to do the same for me.
- I was very impressed by the Buddhavihara Temple Monks. The literally travelled down, did the service and travelled back again - probably a 6 hour round trip (maybe longer with it being a Friday afternoon).
I'd be very interested to hear the views of other UK husbands with Thai wives.
I attended a funeral of somebody I never knew. The link was that my wife was friendly with the deceased gentleman's Thai wife. I had only met the wife, albeit many times over a period of 15 years - I was basically my wife's chauffeur.
The occasion was unusual because it had been arranged as a Thai funeral. Despite the gentleman having many English friends and relatives, his wife arranged for 4 Thai Monks to send him into the next world. We have our own resident Monk who lives in Bristol, and he arranged for 3 Monks to travel down to Yate from The Buddhavihara Temple, Kings Bromley, Staffordshire for the service.
Before the service, our resident Bristol Monk came to the deceased's home to explain the running of the service to the family. When the hearse arrived, he travelled in the hearse to the crematorium, followed immediately by the minibus carrying the other 3 Monks.
When we arrived at the crematorium, the hearse pulled up. The Monks immediately sprung into action tying string wherever they could around the coffin. The Bristol Monk then unravelled the ball of string and led the Monks towards the chapel (is that the right word, or should I be saying Wat in this case?). Close family then joined by holding the string behind the Monks, and all of the Thais joined on behind the family. They then all led the coffin into the chapel, which was devoid of all Christian type crosses (I've been there several times before, and there had always been several crosses).
Everybody took their seat, with the 4 Monks facing the audience. Our Bristol Monk then took his place at the lectern and described the service firstly in Thai and then in English (the entire service was conducted with each language getting equal shares).
The first part of the service proper was the deceased's son saying a few words about his father.
The next part involved the 4 Monks standing alongside the coffin (2 each side) and chanting started (Thai only).
Next, the 4 closest members of the family put robes onto the coffin assisted by the Monks.
The close family members then made (what I assume was) a financial offering to the Monks, in return for another bout of chanting.
Finally, everybody was given an incense stick, which we all had to place onto the coffin.
Thoughts:
- I have never been to a funeral in Thailand, so I can't comment on the authenticity of what happened. However, all of the Thais seemed very happy.
- Apart from the small part by the deceased's son, this service seemed more about Buddhism rather than the deceased. It was too impersonal for my liking.
- I've often wondered what would happen if the unthinkable happened to Mrs BB. It is very re-assuring that a Buddhist service could be easily arranged.
- If was me, I'd be dead, so wouldn't be too bothered how they disposed of my body. However, if it would help Mrs BB's grief, she is very welcome to do the same for me.
- I was very impressed by the Buddhavihara Temple Monks. The literally travelled down, did the service and travelled back again - probably a 6 hour round trip (maybe longer with it being a Friday afternoon).
I'd be very interested to hear the views of other UK husbands with Thai wives.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Leeds Utd
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED