This evening I went to The Erawan Museum in Samut Prakan as they were advertising a “wien tien” candle procession around the giant three headed elephant.
Unfortunately it started to rain heavily just before I arrived and went on for about an hour. I stayed to take a few pictures but did not hang around until the end. There was a good turnout of people though.
- Posted from my iPhone
This afternoon I was at Ancient Siam in Samut Prakan for their celebrations for the start of the Buddhist Rains Retreat. I was taking pictures for our www.paknam.com website.
I arrived just in time for the candle parade which started on water and then moved to land. They were led by dancers in traditional Thai costume.
- Posted from my iPhone
All over Thailand there are many candle processions this week to mark the start of the Buddhist Rains Retreat. This one I took part in today was a bit more unique as it started on water.
This boat procession took place at Bang Phli District in Samut Prakan Province. I was there to take pictures for our local news website at www.Paknam.com
The boat parade visited two local temples Wat Bang Phli Yai Klang and Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai.
- Posted from my iPhone
All week, schools in Samut Prakan have been taking part in candle processions to their local temples.
This morning I went to take pictures of a procession which started at the city hall by local government schools.
There were probably about 500 students in the procession which also included representatives from local communities.
- Posted from my iPhone
This morning, I went with about 200 students from Sriwittayapaknam School to Wat Bang Na Nai in Samrong.
We were there for the annual candle procession which marks the start of the Buddhist Rains Retreat.
After the procession around the main chapel, the students went into the main hall to take part in some chanting.
They then offered food and other basic household essentials to the monks. The Buddhist Rains Retreat lasts for three months.
Outside I came across these cows. It is not really that unusual to see cows at a temple. They are being saved from the slaughterhouse by the kind donations of local Buddhists. You can donate 20 baht to feed the cows some grass.
- Posted from my iPhone
This evening we were invited to a newly opened restaurant at the end of Srinakarin Road in Samut Prakan Province.
It is a Thai-Chinese Seafood restaurant. They have live bands every evening from 7 p.m. They are open daily from 11 a.m. until midnight. At the moment they have a special discount of 15$-25% for the food until 31 August 2010. Click here for map location.
Fried rice with pineapple, cashew nuts & fried pork – 169 baht
Horseshoe Crab egg with mango spicy salad – 239 baht
Fried Sea Bass with a seafood topping of shrimp, mussel & squid – 279 baht
Pan-fried seafood omelet with tofu and vegetables – 169 baht
Tom Klong Pla Krob. A spicy soup with crispy fish- 169 baht
Freshwater Shrimp fried in garlic, chili & salt – 189 baht
- Posted from my iPhone
This evening I went to take some pictures of local Thai people praying for unity in the Thailand.
The guest of honour at Wat Pichai was Mr. Surachai Kanasa, the Governor of Samut Prakan. He led other dignitaries and local people in prayer for the three pillars of Thai society: Nation, Religion and the King.
This is a picture of the Governor talking to the Abbot of Wat Pichai in Samut Prakan City.
Most people were wearing white in order to show that they were neither with the reds or yellow. There were also some people wearing pink which these days represent H.M. The King.
This person was wearing a t-shirt that said in Thai: “This shirt is the same colour as yours”.
- Posted from my iPhone
These are some pictures of Nong Grace shopping at the local Family Mart in Samut Prakan.
A five minute trip to buy some snacks turned into a major event as Nong Grace insisted that she had to check the labels on everything as she didn’t want to eat too much sodium. I guess she must have got that from school. I suppose it is good she is keeping an eye on what she eats when it comes to junk food.
- Posted from my iPhone
This afternoon, I went with the Cub Scouts from my school to visit the local temple.
A monk from the temple gave the Cub Scouts a guided tour.
He showed them different buildings and also the different kinds of trees growing in the compound.
- Posted from my iPhone
This evening I was invited to the Ancient Siam in Samut Prakan for a press conference for their Thai Culture event coming soon in August.
On 7-9 August 2010, there will be a Thai Culture Exhibition and activities at Ancient Siam. At the press conference we were shown some of the local culture that includes these Thai girls in traditional Mon costumes.
At the press conference was the Governor of Samut Prakan, the head of the TAT in Bangkok, the district chief of Bang Phli and the Deputy Governor.
We were entertained with a performance of the Human Puppet. They did a very good job and I believe they have won some awards.
This is a night shot of one of the buildings in Ancient Siam that I took when I was leaving. It is not bad for an iPhone picture.
- Posted from my iPhone
Today is the school birthday as it celebrates 55 years since it founding.
In Thailand, many Thai Buddhists go to their local temple on their birthday in order to make merit. At school this morning it was much the same but 20 monks came to us to receive alms and to bless everyone.
- Posted from my iPhone
better than KFC and McDonalds lol but the name... 
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