’

Kristel Kate B. Kiw-is

Saint Therese
Practice of Good Deeds:
WAI

In Thailand, a wai, a gesture where you place

your hand together in a “praying” sign at chest
level, is a polite greeting. To show more respect,
raise the wai higher, to your chin or nose-level.
You will see Thai people doing the wai at
forehead level, but this is usually only done at
temples or to show a great deal of respect to a
monk or an elder.

As a foreigner, you’ll find it helpful to know that

History of Thailand:
Thai pride themselves on always having maintained its independence and on their iron will and
determination. In 1939, it changed its name from Siam to Prathet Thai, meaning “free land”.The foundations
for the Kingdom of Thailand as we know it today were laid in 1351. The then Siamese capital of Ayutthaya was
ruled by Thailand’s first king, Ramathibodi I. It was he who proclaimed Buddhism as the official national
religion. The city of Ayutthaya went on to become the prosperous center of South-East Asia, with more than
one million inhabitants; comparable to Paris in size and scope. This lasted 400 years, until 1767, when the
kingdom was annexed, destroyed and demolished by Burmese forces.

General Taksin is one of the biggest names in Thai history. Born in 1734 in Ayutthaya, he would go on to
play a leading role in its defense. However, when it became clear the city was beyond saving, he managed, if
only by the skin of his teeth, to escape its burning ruins. Shortly afterward, determined to fight back, he
raised an army and retook Ayutthaya, expelling the Burmese. Ayutthaya was then abandoned as the capital
in favor of a small fishing village along the Chao Phraya River, named Thon Buri. It was here that General
Taksin would be crowned king.

King Taksin was unrelenting in his fight for his nation’s independence and even managed to expand his
kingdom. However, his drive and combativeness would prove to be his undoing. In 1782, he was deposed,
declared “insane” and brutally executed in the traditional way, by being sealed into a velvet sack, to conceal
the flowing of royal blood, and bludgeoned to death. Legend has it that it wasn’t King Taksin that was
executed that day, but a substitute and that Taksin lived on for many years as a monk. These days Taksin is
known as “Taksin the Great” by virtue of his heroic deeds for the homeland.Taksin was succeeded by General
Chakri, who would adopt the name Rama I at his coronation. This would be the start of the Chakri dynasty on
the Thai throne. King Chakri moved the capital across the Chao Phraya River bank to Rattanakosin; modern
day Bangkok. He also commissioned the building of the Grand Palace, now one of Bangkok’s most popular
tourist attractions. His heirs did what they could to modernize the country and keep it going forward. They
built trade relations with important countries such as France, England, and China. This led to a more self-
relying and strong economy, which is one of the reasons cited for Thailand being the only South-East Asian
country to have escaped colonization.

In 1932 Thailand went from being an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. Then King Rama VII
lost absolute power in his country. Thailand remains a constitutional monarchy until today. In 1939 it changed
its name from Siam to Thailand; Prathet Thai in Thai, meaning “free land”. In 1946, recently deceased king
Rama IX was crowned. He was the longest raining king in Thai history and enjoyed unparalleled popularity
amongst his people.

During World War II Thailand was invaded by the Japanese who demanded free passage to Malaysia. The
Thai accepted this demand on several conditions, one of them being Japanese assistance in retaking
territory they had lost to the French and the English. Japan agreed and gained free passage with support
from the Thai state. This changed in 1944 when the Thai chose the side of the Allied forces and expelled the
Japanese. Thailand became a member of the United Nations in 1946.

The decades that followed would be accompanied by much political unrest. Coup d’états followed each
other in quick succession, each time bringing a new military junta to power. The eighties saw the country
change course towards a stable democracy, developments which would lead to the signing of its first ever
constitution in 1997. 2001 marked another milestone, with the first government entirely elected by the
people.King Rama IX had been the one stable factor through all the decades of political unrest. This is one of
the reasons why he was so much loved by the Thai people. Just like Taksin the Great, his is an important
name in Thai history. Since 2016 Thailand has a new king, King Vajiralongkorn, son of the deceased King
Bhumibol Adulyadej.
National Costume: Religion:
Chakkri Buddhism is the dominant religion in Thailand consisting of 95%
It has a long tube skirt (sinh) with two front pleats. of the total population. Buddhism was first introduced in
The upper garment, known as a sabai, is an elegant Thailand as early as 250 BCE and has been a big part of Thailand
shawl-like item that wraps around the upper body and ever since along with the Thai Chinese Buddhist religion. The
trails to the ground at one side. It covers just one belief of this religion is based on the teachings of Gautam
shoulder. Although the length of fabric could Buddha. The first form of Buddhism introduced to Thailand was
traditionally be worn on its own, it is customary today that of Theravada (The Doctrine of the Elders) school and it was
for people to wear another piece of cloth underneath propagated by Emperor Ashoka.
the wrap. The sabai was a popular piece of clothing in
the past but was banned in Thailand for everyday wear
in the middle of the 1900s by the same prime minister
that changed the nation’s name from Siam to Thailand.
The fabric for chut Thai chakkri is often made using a
traditional weaving technique called yok, which
results in a thicker finish. It’s also common for fine
threads of gold or silver to be incorporated into to the
luscious clothes.

Railay Beach
 Koh Phi Phi

The Grand Palace, Bangkok

 Pai

Sukhothai Old City

 1. Krabi province is home to some of Thailand's most
famous beach destinations—and Railay tops the list as
one of the most stunning. Considered by many as one of
the best beaches in the country, Railay delivers on
promises of white sand, turquoise-blue water, and the
feeling that you've found a slice of paradise even before
your feet touch the sand. The island can be reached by
boat from Krabi town and Ao Nang—and the trip on a long-
tail traditional boat is just as magical as what you'll
encounter when you reach the shores.

While the beach might be the main reason to visit the

island, Railay is also a rock-climbing hot spot, with karst
peaks drawing adventurers both experienced and novice,
ready to take on the towering limestone cliffs. Among the
many other active things to do, Railay is well-known for
its ocean rafting and kayaking, snorkeling and scuba
diving—but visitors can also try their hand at cooking
classes or indulge in a massage.

There's also the tourist-friendly Diamond Cave, reached

via a beautiful trail with stunning views and ready to
accommodate curious visitors looking to do some
exploring between stretches of sunbathing.

2.The Phi Phi Islands are one of Thailand's most popular

resort areas for a reason—the clear blue waters, the soft
sand, the breathtaking views that go on forever. You can
reach Phi Phi Don—the largest of the islands and the only
one permanently inhabited—on a rented kayak or by hiring
a small wooden boat to take you here.Perhaps one of the
most fun spots on Koh Phi Phi is Monkey Beach, where
you'll come face to face, literally, with plenty of macaques
ready to steal your lunch.

Long Beach is another nice spot on the island; while not

a secluded place where you can hope for privacy, it's great
for watching the sunset. If you're lucky and the tide is out,
it's a beautiful walk back towards the main part of the
island.Tour operators offer packages for snorkeling and
diving trips to the islands, as well as excursions to the
famous Maya Bay, where the Leonardo DiCaprio movie The
Beach was filmed. Because Koh Phi Phi draws so many
tourists, there are plenty of tour companies arranging
tickets to other beach destinations, such as Phuket, Koh
Chang, and Koh Lanta.

Phi Phi Don was one of the areas hit hard by the 2004
tsunami—but since then, guesthouses, restaurants, and
markets have been rebuilt, and crowds still come in
droves to the resort island. There is a small, somber
memorial park to honor those who died in the tragedy, but
the resort areas are otherwise revived and looking as
beautiful as ever.
 4.Northern Thailand, particularly the western region
near the Burmese border, is marked by mountainous
jungle terrain that is both rugged and beautiful. Pai, in Mae
Hong Son province, is the perfect starting point from
which to enjoy the country's natural beauty, as well as the
famed Thai hospitality and cooking. This small town has
developed a reputation as a mecca for hippies and
backpackers, though you will see plenty of families
traveling in the area as well. There is a small walking
street market that comes alive every night, a variety of
local and Western foods, and easy access to nearby
Buddhist temples, waterfalls, and the impressive Pai
canyon.

There is an air of cheerfulness and relaxation as you

walk through the tiny town center, a vibe that continues to
draw crowd’s season after season despite its somewhat
remote location.

5.A favorite stop for history buffs and photography

enthusiasts, Sukhothai offers many lovely photo ops at a
smaller scale than Ayutthaya. Ruins of this old city still
stand proud despite enduring centuries of battle and
exposure to the elements. Sukhothai's Old City is a UNESCO
World Heritage site, and much has been invested to restore
and preserve one of Thailand's most significant historical
sites.

Of the many wats in Sukhothai, Wat Mahathat is the most

impressive. Founded some time in the 13th century, the
temple was built to enshrine Buddha relics and is
surrounded by massive standing Buddha images, stuccoed
sculptures, stupas, and more.

References:

https://www.pinoyadventurista.com/2018/08/bangkok-travel-
guide-thailand-budget-diy-itinerary.html
 Average Daily Travel Cost

(5 Days for One Person)

 Transportation :

 Transportation  Accommodation:
 Accommodation
 Food:
 Food
 Activities and
 Activities and Entertainment:
Entertainment

(5 Days for Two Person)

 Transportation

 Accommodation

 Food

 Activities and
3.Even if your plans for Thailand mainly involve
Entertainment
frolicking on a beach and eating as much Massaman curry
and pad Thai as humanly possible, you'll probably spend
at least a day or two in Bangkok. There are plenty of things
to see and do in the capital, but the Grand Palace should
definitely be at the top of your list. This is the number one
sightseeing attraction in the city, and it's staggering in
both historical significance and craftsmanship.The
grounds are a maze of royal halls, temples, and ancient
relics, the most important being Wat Phra Kaeo (the
Temple of the Emerald Buddha), said to hold a fragment of
either hair or bone from the enlightened Buddha himself.

Allow several hours to do the Grand Palace justice, but

if you're up for more walking afterward, you can easily
take in some of the city's other major landmarks nearby.
The famous Wat Po and Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn
(a great place to watch the sunset), are just a few minutes
away.