วันเสาร์ที่ 18 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

Tak Bat Devo Festival

Tak Bat Devo Festival

Date : 15 October 2008

Venue : Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri, Uthai Thani Province














The traditional of "Tak Bat Devo" was derived from the word "Devorohana" which means the return of Lord Buddha from Heaven to Earth. According to a Buddhist myth, after Lord Buddha had proclaimed his doctrines and sermoned his father and relatives, he recollected his mother who died after giving birth to him and was born again in Heaven.

In hie 7th lent’ he went up to heaven to deliver a sermon to his mother the entire period of the Rains Retreat (3 months). At the end of the Rains Retreat (Ok Phansa Day) which falls on the first day of the wanning moon of the eleventh lunar month, Lord Buddha then returned to earth and was greeted by a crawd of hid disciples and Buddhist believers who were waiting to offer him food.

To commemorate this event at the end of the annual Buddhist Rains Retreat, Uthai Thani Buddhist believers proudly organize the "Tak Bat Devo" Festival as ana annual tradition at Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri at the top of Sakaekrang mountain. Almost being the only festival in Thailand with the same atmosphere as in the Buddhist myth. It attracts the large inf;ux of believers from all over the country to participate.

In addition, there are still more local art, culture and tradition, and various tourist attractions in Uthai Thani waiting for visitors to experience.

The End of the Buddhist Lent Festival

Date : 11-15 Octorber 2008
Venue : Mekong River, Nong Khai

Participate in the “Tak Bat Thevo” alms-giving activity in the morning of Ok Phansa Day (The End of Buddhist Lent), while in the evening see the procession for the Naga, cultural performances, as well as the amazing phenomenon of Naga fireballs at night. Witness also the long boat competition for Ok Phansa Day and taste delicious dishes along food streets.

Contact: TAT Northeastern Office :
Region 5, Tel : 66 (0) 4232 5406-7Nong Khai Provincial Administration Office, Tel : 66 (0) 4242 0323

The 10th Lunar Month Making Merit 2008

The 10th Lunar Month Making Merit 2008

Date : 23 September – 2 October, 2008

Venue : Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan and Suan Somdej Phra Sinagarindra 84 (Thung Tha Lat Park), Amphoe Mueang, Nakhon Si Thammarat


Features a large and splendorous event of Nakhon Si Thammarat,experience the spectacular procession on 28 September, 2008,from Sanam Na Mueang to Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan.Purchase various local products on sale and enjoy various forms of entertainment.


For further information, please contact:

TAT Nakhon Si Thammarat Office Tel. 66 (0) 7534 6515-6

Midnight run in Bangkok

Midnight run in Bangkok

Bangkok is home to a number of running competitions including the now famous Bangkok Marathon, the race up the staircase of the landmark high-rise hotel, the Banyan Tree, to its restaurant aptly named Vertigo and the annual Midnight Run, scheduled for 11 October.

The creation of an enterprising hotelier who managed the Amari Watergate in the late 90s and was also a seasoned marathoner, the Midnight Run is not as strange as it might first appear.

As all enthusiastic runners know running in the tropics is also a race against the sun. The window of opportunity to complete a race in an acceptable time in humid Bangkok shrinks fast as heat and humidity build up by mid-morning.

The obvious answer for the Amari Watergate general manager was to create a run that started and finished before sunrise, hence the popularity of the Amari Watergate and BMW Midnight Run that attracts over 1,000 participants.

Now in its 11th year, the run follows an interesting route through downtown Bangkok, around the entertainment and business districts.

The competition is divided into two categories; six and 12 kilometres, the races produce fast times, often resulting in some personal best times. It is also an excellent build up race for the Bangkok International Marathon later in the year.It could be considered the season opener for local sports events, organised during the cooler months of the year.

Bang Fai Phaya Nak (Naga Fireball)

Bang Fai Phaya Nak (Naga Fireball)

This extraordinary miracle always occurs at the beginning of the full moon night in the eleventh lunar month (End of Buddhist Lent). It can be seen along the Mekong River in the districts of Mueang, Phon Phisai, Pak Khat, Bung Kan, Tha Bo, Si Chiang Mai and Sangkhom. Bang Fai Phaya Nak is a term used for red and pinkish fire balls, which according to belief, belong to Phaya Nak or the great serpent of the underwater world. On the day marking the End of Buddhist Lent, a great number of people come to witness this phenomenon.

Naga Fireball Festival in Nong Khai

It remains a mystery that never ceases to puzzle both visitors and locals alike. Just what is the origin and nature of the fireballs that fly from the surface of the Mekong River high into the night sky for all to see?Locals swear there is absolutely no doubt at all about the origin of the fireballs. Naga, the serpent reportedly dwelling in the murky currents of this mighty river, propels fireballs skyward, probably to remind villagers to treat this life-giving river with respect.Of course, there are detractors, researchers who have spent years of study attempting to explain away the fireball phenomenon, all to no avail.
Some say it is an elaborate hoax, but the only way to find out is to travel to Nong Khai and check out river scene and the carnivals that villagers organise to celebrate the now famous legendary serpent.Festivities run from 10 to 16 October, along the Mekong River bank, in Phon Pisai district in Nong Khai province. There are also corresponding celebrations on the Lao side of the river and no shortage of theories on whether Thailand’s neighbours, on the opposite bank, may know more than they are admitting on what causes the spectacle.
But there is no denying the fact that there is something almost mystical that causes the fireballs to erupt from the surface of the river, and villagers are taking no chances, hence the religious activities at various temples in the district to appease the Naga.Visitors can participate in a traditional "Tak Bat Thevo" ceremony, or the early morning alms giving to monks. It involves offering sticky rice wrapped in coconut leaves, presented on the important final days of the three-month Buddhist Lent.In the evenings, during the festival week, people gather at the river bank for the Naga procession and cultural performance that reflect the rural village traditions of the northeast region.
If all goes to plan the highlight of the trip will be the amazing sight of the Naga fireballs erupting into the sky, a phenomenon that is very likely to prompt some light hearted banter and arguments at riverside food stalls over glasses of ale or the local rice whisky on their origin.
The most convenient way to reach Nong Khai is to take one of the many daily flights offered from Bangkok to Udon Thani, either on the national airline Thai Airways International, or one of the low-cost airlines. The flight takes 50 minutes and from Udon Thani, mini buses offer a 40 minute transfer to Nong Khai. An alternative is to take the rail service that runs every evening from Bangkok to Nong Khai.

Buffalo Racing




Buffalo Racing



You could be forgiven for thinking that a domesticated buffalo is not built for sprinting, but in Chonburi town, the gateway to resorts along the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, farmers have managed to tweak a turn of speed from these working animals that is nothing short of amazing.



The annual Buffalo races, 13 October, are a hotly contested series of sprints across on an open space in front of the town’s municipal offices.Tourists and the town’s residents turn out for these amazing races that have been featured in the past on CNN and the BBC as a must-see event.
The races are taken very seriously by the owners of the buffaloes. Prizes for the first nose past the finishing line guarantee owners go to considerable lengths to ensure their buffaloes are in tip-top condition. Clouds of dust rise as these hefty animals pound down the short course at an alarming speed, reminiscent of a stampede. The crowd roars in support of the favourites and the atmosphere is as an enthralling as watching thoroughbred race horses.Admittedly, mites slower than a race horse, but the buffaloes are no slouches when it comes to making a short dash for glory.



Although this day of fun and competition would succeed with just the buffaloes as the celebrities, there are other activities to make it a worthwhile outing for families.A fair with food stalls and handicrafts appeals to visitors who love authentic Thai food, snacks and sweets. Then there are the rides for children, concerts of folk music and, of course, a beauty contest where the prize is the honour of being declared Miss Buffalo. Not exactly the most adhering of titles for an aspiring beauty queen, but it does not seem to deter contestants from seeking the limelight of the catwalk.Here is a festival that provides photo opportunities to capture an unusual adaptation of the 100-metre dash. Well worth seeing, is always the conclusion of those who make the effort to travel to Chonburi.



If the more traditional version of four-legged races is more appealing then the venue should be the Horse Show, 23 October at the Sanctuary of Truth, also in Chonburi province, on the outskirts of Pattaya The show is organised to commemorate the reign of King Rama V, the Great, on a day set aside as a national holiday to honour a ruler who initiated many of the developments that ultimately encouraged the economic and social transformation of the nation.

Chulakathin Merit Making Ceremony


Chulakathin Merit Making CeremonyWat Phrathat Pha Ngao, Chiang Rai Province25 – 26 October 2008

The “Chulakathin Merit Making Ceremony” features merit making activities, rituals, and various forms of entertainment all on the same day. The whole event starts from sunrise to sunset (the night of Saturday, 25 October, 2008) and the kathin offerings are presented to the monks on 26 October, 2008. Accompanying activities in this event include:

Chulakathin Exhibition : Be amazed by the complete process of the production of the Chulakathin robes. The fine process starts with the picking of cotton, separating it, and spinning until the final process when it is turned from cotton into fabric. This is done overnight starting from 19.00 hours. There are also 9 amazing exhibition zones or khuang in the northern dialect.


1. Khuang Khan Toke – a typical northern-style meal.

2. Khuang for Cotton Collecting – picking of cotton to produce cotton fibre.

3. Khuang for Refining – separating the cotton seeds from the cotton

4. Khuang for Mixing - to stir the cotton to make it loose

5. Khuang for Threading – to make cotton into thread

6. Khuang for Weaving – weaving the cloth

7. Khuang for Sewing – cutting and sewing of the material into fabric

8. Khuang for Dyeing – dyeing the fabric

9. Khuang for Making Great Merit of Chulakathin – offering of kathin robes

The Merit Making Ceremony of Chulakathin
Kathin merit making is a Buddhist ritual that has to be carried out within 1 month starting from the first waning day of the eleventh lunar month until the fifteenth waxing day of the twelfth lunar month (the ritual must only be done during this period of time).

Kathin Offering Ceremony : Offering cloth or laying of robes in front of the monks to let them collect it to lay by the Sadueng frame of the robe shape. The piece of cloth would then be tailored into the form required.

An important material for the kathin ceremony is the “kathin cloth”. The kathin ceremony has to be completed within a specific period. In the past, cloth was scarce and it had to be woven from cotton. The long process started from the spinning of cotton, putting it into a loom, weaving, cutting, and sewing till it became a piece of cloth to be offered as a kathin cloth. This tradition has been inherited as a part of Thai culture for generations.

Chulakathin is a mini kathin : With the limited time, the ceremony has to be carried out as quickly as possible; thus, it has to be completed within a day. The ceremony begins with spinning the cotton to make thread until sewing it into a robe and offering it to the monks.
The preparation of the Chulakathin ceremony begins immediately after midnight.
- Collecting cotton for weaving; the picker must be a virgin girl that signifies the purity of the kathin cloth, which is made of cotton.

- Using the collected cotton to be spun and made into thread, ready for weaving. The material that would be used for spinning and weaving has to be of various sets to ensure the production of the 3 main pieces of the robes or at least one long robe to be able to carry out the ceremony within a day.

- Cutting the woven material in to pieces as designed. It is then tightened on the Sadueng wood frame and the pieces are stitched together as a monk’s robe.

- Dyeing the material with natural dyes from plants as a robe’s colour should be. At present, ready-made colour is used.

- Drying and arranging it into a set is the last step and then it is ready for the ceremony. The most important step in the preparation is having sufficient tools and artisans to carry out the production process and finishing it in time.

Chulakathin Offering Ceremony : The person who is the host of the ceremony has to search for a suitable temple. The temple must have at least 5 monks residing. These monks have to be the ones staying in the temple during the 3-month Buddhist rains retreat. The devotee has to do the following preparation:

- Booking the kathin is to inform the abbot of the temple the intention of carrying out the kathin ceremony in that temple. Once the booking is made, the temple would not accept another host unless there is a condition that the initial host is willing to have someone else join as a co-host.

- The host has to prepare all the necessary raw materials and other accessories needed in the ceremony before the process of production begins. Skilled weavers are normally invited to undertake the weaving process. Once getting the small pieces of the material, they would be stitched together as a robe. It would then be dyed and ironed as the final process.

- Offering of the Chulakathin robe – the auspicious day for the ceremony normally falls on the fifteenth waxing day of the twelfth lunar month. The ceremony is like a general kathin offering in that once all ceremonial accessories are completed, participants would bring them into the temple. They would recite the words of offering to the monks in chorus, and the monks would receive the robe, recite prayers for the spirits of the deceased ancestors, and conclude the ceremony.

วันศุกร์ที่ 17 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

quarantine

ชื่ออื่นๆ : Quarantined
ชื่อไทย :
ผู้กำกับ :
ผู้แต่ง :
วันเข้าฉาย : 25/12/2008
ประเภท :
ความยาว :

เรท : เรท R



เนื้อเรื่องย่อ
Television reporter Angela Vidal (Jennifer Carpenter) and her cameraman (Steve Harris) are assigned to spend the night shift with a Los Angeles Fire Station. After a routine 911 call takes them to a small apartment building, they find police officers already on the scene in response to blood curdling screams coming from one of the apartment units. They soon learn that a woman living in the building has been infected by something unknown. After a few of the residents are viciously attacked, they try to escape with the news crew in tow, only to find that the CDC has quarantined the building. Phones, internet, televisions and cell phone access have been cut-off, and officials are not relaying information to those locked inside. When the quarantine is finally lifted, the only evidence of what took place is the news crews videotape.

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The Last Detail (1973) The Screen:' Last Detail' a Comedy of Sailors on Shore

"The Last Detail" is one superbly funny, uproariously intelligent performance, plus two others that are very, very good, which are so effectively surrounded by profound bleakness that it seems to be a new kind of anti-comedy. It's a good movie but an unhomogenized one.
"New" is perhaps a poor word to use in connection with the film. Like the recent "Cinderella Liberty," which was also based on a novel by Darryl Ponicsan, "The Last Detail" considers the lives of career United States Navy sailors with a gravity that recalls the atmosphere of the late nineteen-forties and fifties, when World War II was still freshly won, Korea was being brought to a close, and Ike was going to throw the rascals out of Washington. In the years that preceded the political and social upheavals of the nineteen-sixties and seventies, ignorance still possessed some innocent charm.
It doesn't any more. It seems frivolous and a bit scary. So much so that I suspect that Hal Ashby who directed "The Last Detail," and Robert Towne, who wrote the screenplay, may have thought of their leading character, who is 20 years behind the times and only vaguely aware of the fact, as a lot more representative of many American lives today than the rest of us would care to think.
This character, remarkably played by Jack Nicholson, is Signalman First Class Buddusky, a 20-year Navy man of hilarious and often unwarranted self-assurance. Buddusky and Gunner's Mate First Class Mulhall (Otis Young) are assigned to escort from Norfolk, Va., to the naval prison in Portsmouth, N. H., an 18-year-old sailor sentenced to eight years in the brig for trying to steal $40 in polio contributions.
"The Last Detail" is the chronicle of this journey, which takes the better part of a week and dramatizes the increasing desperation of Buddusky as he tries to show the young prisoner his (Buddusky's) idea of a good time. There's a desolate beer party in a Washington hotel room, where Buddusky gets the kid drunk for the first time and tries to cheer him up. "Think of it this way," he says in effect, "you'll get two years off for good behavior."
In New York they crash a Nichiren Shoshu prayer meeting and wind up at a Village party where Buddusky tries to make out with a pretty, intensely serious young woman by talking about the romance of the sea, while she would prefer to talk about President Nixon or race relations.
In Boston, on their last day, Buddusky and Mulhall escort the young prisoner to a sleazy whorehouse where they introduce him to the wonderful world of sex by paying his tab. This experience, with a girl who manages simultaneously to be dimly sweet and a no-nonsense professional, is what finally unhinges the prisoner who, until then, has more or less accepted his fate.
Mr. Nicholson dominates the film with what amounts to an anthology of swaggers optimistic, knowing, angry, foolish and forlorn. It's by far the best thing he's ever done. If anything it's almost too good in that it disguises with charm the empty landscape of the life it represents.
Mr. Mulhall, by being black and playing a man who is as reflective and steadfast as Mr. Nicholson is errant, is the one person who gives the movie a contemporary look. In World War II, black sailors seldom got out of the galley.
Randy Quaid, who had a small role in "The Last Picture Show," is a marvelous foil for Nicholson as the ever-polite prisoner who, for a long while, refuses to share Buddusky's rage at the injustice of his sentence. Early on, he has admitted to Buddusky that he had had a scrape with the police before entering the Navy. Asks Buddusky professionally: "Was it in the nature of a felony or a misdemeanor?" Says the kid: "It was in the nature of shoplifting."
Mr. Ashby persists in making comedies ("The Landlord," "Harold and Maude") that are never as funny as the treatments he gives them would have you believe. "The Last Detail" is his most interesting and contradictory so far. You'll laugh at it, not through your tears but with a sense of creeping misery.
THE LAST DETAIL, directed by Hal Ashby; screenplay by Robert Towne, based on the novel by Darryl Ponicsan; produced by Gerald Ayres; director of Photography, Michael Chapman; editor, Robert C. Jones; music, Johnny Mandel. An Acrobat film, distributed by Columbia Pictures. Running time: 105 minutes. At the National Theater, Broadway near 43d Street, and the Coronet Theater, Third Avenue at 59th Street. This film has been rated R. Buddusky . . . . . Jack Nicholson Mulhall . . . . . Otis Young Meadows . . . . . Randy Quaid M.A.A . . . . . Clifton James Young whore . . . . . Carol Kane Marine O.D. . . . . . Michael Moriarty Donna . . . . . Luana Anders Kathleen . . . . . Kathleen Miller