| Mueang Chiang Rai is a city in Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Changwat Chiang Rai, a northernmost Changwat/province in Thailand. History The city was founded by King Mengrai in 1262 and became the capital of the Mengrai dynasty. Subsequently, Chiang Rai was conquered byBurma and remained under Burmese rule for several hundred years. It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became Chiang Mai vassal. After Siam or Thailand annexed Chiang Mai in 1899 Chiang Rai was proclaimed a province of Thailand in 1933. In 1432 during the reign of King Sam Fang Kaen of Mangrai dynasty (1402–1441) the Phra Kaeo, or Emerald Buddha, the most reveredBuddha statue, was discovered in Chiang Rai when an earthquake split the Chedi at Wat Phra Kaeo of Chiang Rai City. The beautiful jade figure was then seen concealed within. Another telling of the story has the 'Emerald Buddha' hastily covered in mud just before marauders entered to pillage. It wasn't until many years later, that the clunky-looking mud Buddha was found to actually house the magnificent jade statue, perhaps by way of the earthquake mentioned above - which caused a piece of the clay to break off - revealing the jade beneath. In 1992, the City Pillar was moved from Wat Klang Wiang to Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong, where it is known as Sadue Mueang (Thai: สะดือเมือง), the Navel or Omphalos of the City. |   |
| Geography Chiang Rai City is 200 kilometres northeast of Chiang Mai City, 62 kilometres south of Mae Sai and the Burmese border; 60 kilometres southwest of the town of Chiang Saen on the Mae Kong across from Laos; and 90 kilometres north of Payao town. The Mae Kok River runs along Chiang Rai's north side, flowing from west out of Burma at Taton town - to east and thereby merging with the Mekong River. There are four bridges spanning the Mae Kok river within the town's boundaries, each running south/north. Most of the terrain surrounding Chiang Rai town is either flat or has moderate hills. The exception is outward in the west and northwest directions, where limestone hills are evident, some of which have straight-up exposed cliffs. Not surprisingly, that's also the direction where most of the region's Hill Tribe people have their villages, further afield. Demographics Official Population count: According to the Thailand National Statistical Office, as of September 2010, Chiang Rai municipal district has a population of 199,699. With the spread of the city extending into neighboring districts, the metropolitan area is considered somewhat larger by local residents. 12.5% of the population belong to the hill tribes, a collective term for the minority ethnic groups in the North of Thailand such as the Karen, Akha, Lisu,Meo, and Muser. Many Chinese, particularly from Yunnan Province, have migrated to the area and assimilated with the Thai population to such extent that well over half of the large businesses in northern Thailand are owned by people of Chinese heritage Government Chiang Rai City is the capital of Changwat Chiang Rai. The City Hall 19°54.805′N 99°49.615′E holds the Provincial Offices. The Thetsaban holds the Municipal Offices 19°54′34″N 99°49′39″E. Buddhist temples -Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong, 19°54.970′N 99°49.365′E -Wat Phra Kaeo, Chiang Rai, 19°54.704′N 99°49.647′E -Wat Phra Sing, Chiang Rai, 19°54.653′N 99°49.882′E -Wat Doi Khao Khwai, 19°52.892′N 99°48.582′E -Wat Rong Khun, 19°49.480′N 99°45.800′E, a modern temple built since 1998 by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat -Chedi Doi Trimoorati,.Map Tourist attractions in or near Chiang Rai town -Night Bazaar is a night market, located in the middle of downtown, Chiangrai. A place for souvenirs and local products, with free cultural performances. Also more than forty restaurants. -Saturday Night Walking Street just north of downtown. Hundreds of local folks display their crafts and food. Includes local dance and showcase displays. Tourist attractions further afield, within Chiang Rai province -Princess Mother Hall and Doi Mae Salong Located about 70 km northwest of Chiang Rai accessed by a scenic, and sometimes quite steep, road from Mae Chan. In Mae Salong there is a museum of the Kuomintang and their plight after exiled from China by Mao Zedong, and subsequently forced to leave Burma from where they entered Thailand, helping at times to fight the Communists. -Doi Tung Royal Villa is the final residence of the mother of the King of Thailand, known as the Princess Mother. It is located at kilometre 12 on highway 1149, to the west of highway 1. This magnificent villa was built on the mountain overlooking the surrounding hills and valleys in a unique mix of Swiss and Lanna architectural styles. Adjacent to the villa is a large flower-filled garden, and a memorial hall commemorating the Princess Mother. -Doi Tung Zoo and another zoo 25 km south of town, just off of the old road to Chiang Mai. Besides a decent collection of animals, it has an entire section dedicated to birds, most of which are colorful flightless types. -Phu Chi Fa -The Gate of Siam is a location on the border with Laos where one can stand high up on a mountain with Laos directly in front and the mighty Mekong River flowing beneath. -Saun Mai Ngam Park Many beautiful trees and flowers. Some are more than 100 years old. This is a place where Chiang Rai Flower festival is held at the end of every year. Transportation Route 1 runs from Bangkok through Chiang Rai to Mae Sai on the Burma border. Chiang Rai is 839 kilometers from Bangkok, about 14 hours by car or by bus. According to official bus schedules, the bus ride to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai takes approximately an hour and 30 minutes, however the 175 km trip most often takes at least two and a half hours. All of these times should take into account the rainy season which lasts from about June to late October, this can severely inhibit travel with road sections often completely flooded and even washed out. Several flights are available to and from Bangkok daily. Chiang Rai International Airport flight time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are several major operators including Thai airways, Air Asia, Nok air and One to go. There is scheduled boat service between Chiang Rai and Thaton in Chiang Mai province daily this journey will last about 3–4 hours and is a pleasant alternative to the bus ride through the mountains. There are currently no rail services to Chiang Rai as the railway line from Bangkok ends at Chiang Mai. There have been talks of extending the rail line from Den Chai to Chiang Rai in the near future,[1] but this is unlikely to happen as the city's population is well below 1 million and there aren't as many international tourists visiting Chiang Rai as Chiang Mai. Also there are no major industrial complexes in the region as it is largely a rural economy. Source: Thaiwiki | |
Chiang Rai City of Thailand
May: Time in Thailand today : What you can see
Nowadays, if people come to visit Thailand they can participate in many festival. Many of these festival is concern with way of life of people in Thailand. Here, I present two festival that will be act in May 2012. Visakha Bucha/Vesak, (nationwide) mid-May (full moon of 6th lunar month). Makha Bucha Day is very special day for Buddhists around the world. Because in the Makha Bucha Day is on the full moon day of the 3rd lunar month, Makha, of the year, 4 special events happened: 1. There were 1,250 Sangha followers, that came to see the Buddha that evening without any schedule. 2. All of them were "Arhantas', the Enlightened One, and all of them were ordained by the Buddha himself. 3. The Buddha gave those Arhantas the principles of the Buddhism, called "The Ovadhapatimokha". Those principles are: - To cease from all evil, - To do what is good, - To cleanse one's mind; 4. It was the full moon day. Activities to be Observed on Makha Bucha Day 'TUM BOON': Making merit by going to temples for special observances, making merit, listening to Dhamma preaching, giving some donations and join in the other Buddhist activities. 'RUB SIL': Keeping the Five Precepts, including abstinence from alcoholic drinks and all kinds of immoral acts. 'TUK BARD': Offering food to the monks and novices (in the alm bowl). Practice of renuciation: Observe the Eight Precepts, practice of meditation and mental discipline, stay in the temple, wearing white robes, for a number of days. 'VIEN TIEN': Attending the Candle Light Procession around the Uposatha Hall, in the evening of the Vesak full moon day. |    |
Royal Ploughing Ceremony, (Sanam Luang, Bangkok) May 11 (roughly 8-9 am.).   An ancient Brahman ritual, this celebrates the official start of the rice-planting season. Scarlet-clad handlers who sacred oxen pulling ploughs, followed by the Minister of Agriculture who scatters consecrated rice seed. The colourful ceremony is presided over by the King and Brahman priests, with court and government officials participating. At the end, upcountry formers leap the barriers and rush to dig up the auspicious seed in o grand melee. Access: Sanam Luang is the large oval field north of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Bangkok. Rocket Festival, (Yasothon, Northeast) second weekend, Saturday-Sunday. There is one more festival that people don't miss to visit that is Rocket Festival. This is you will be fun with it because they will start by rocket parade, in there, the folk dance also will be perform by at least 50 girl in one group. So people would like to take photos more as they can.   Rocket Festival is a widespread custom in the northeast, most exuberant at Yasothon province of Thailand. Normally they call “Bang Fi” festival. Villagers build elaborate wooden rocket launchers and shoot huge squibs from them which go spluttering wildly across the fields. This takes place on the Sunday and is supposed to ensure plentiful rains for the imminent rice-planting season. On the Saturday, there ore colourful parades of rockets and folk dancers, and the obligatory beauty contest. | |
Valentine's Day : Love in Buddhism
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| PhraDhamrajanuwatra, Wat Phrakaew Chiang Rai : Thailand |
Q: Pay to your Holy Highness. Sir, May I ask, what does love in Buddhism mean?
A: Love in Buddhism may mean kindliness or pitiful, which is a kind of love that reaches out to all creatures on earth, and not only to the ones we love, but to all things that exist in the universe. For example, when we make merit, as when we pour the ceremonial water. This ceremonial water pouring is a way of emitting kindliness, pitiful and love to all creatures exist in the world or universe. Let them be happier or let them be free from any kinds of suffering. Love in Buddhism is so great and without bound.
Q: How should we lead our life?
A: In Buddhism, we have the 5 precepts (Panca Sila) as a guideline to lead our life. If everyone follows these 5 precepts, I believe that the society as a whole will be free from problems and be more peaceful.
The 5 precepts (Panca Sila) are considered as a guarantee to good life for everyone as follow:
Precept one: Guarantee of peaceful life, Panati-pata veramani sikkha padam samadiyami. All creatures on earth love their own lives, if we do not infringe on other creatures' life, other creatures also will not infringe on us, all will live a peaceful life, there would be not fighting and there would be no killing.
Precept two: Guarantee of asset, Adinna-dana veramani sikkha padam samadiyami. If everyone is honest, do not encroach on other's property, no greed in unlawful possession, the society, as a whole would be more livable and safer, be wealthier and money would not be a source of conflict.
Precept three: Guarantee of good family life, Kamesu miccha-cara veramani sikkha padam samadiyami. People should have only one life, one love, one family. The family bond of the relationship of the family is strong, the other institutes would follows suit and for one thing the bond in the higher society like the notion would be stronger as a whole.
Precept four: Guarantee of good society, Musavada veramani sikkha padam samadiyami. Refrain yourself from false speech and always tell the truths. By doing this, the society is more reliable when everyone honors what they hove said. This will create a better working atmosphere and the whole notion will be more civilized.
Precept five: Guarantee for health, Sura meraya-majja-pama-datthana veramani sikkha padam samadiyami. All kinds of intoxicated drinks like alcoholic drinks may lead you to lose of conscientiousness and it also endanger your health, if we can avoid them, we will become stronger and more vigorous.
Can you see that in reality, all things are connected and linked together? So, before you do anything, you must think carefully and do not lose your conscientiousness.
"Do not attach yourself to anything but follow the middle path of life. We are parts of the society.
Do not use ourselves as a scale to judge others. We must take others into consideration. Know how to give and share."
Source: chivamagazine
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Sangha
Buddhist monastic order, traditionally composed of four groups: monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen. Established by the Buddha, it is the world's oldest body of celibate clerics. Together with the Buddha and the dharma, it makes up the Threefold Refuge, a basic creed of Buddhism. Buddha established the bhiksu sangha for men and later the bhiksuni sangha for women. Members depend on alms from the community, since they are discouraged from engaging in commerce or agriculture. They live according to the Vinaya Pitaka.
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