Tag: bpai tiao

Bpai Tiao Video: Wat Luang Phor Toh

August 24, 2014

In Thailand, a bpai tiao is a trip of any length. I’ve written about some of my more significant bpai tiaos to tourist destinations here, to be used as travel ideas and tips.

On all of my bus trips to and from Bangkok, I’ve passed a large, gleaming, white temple. I’ve always been curious about the temple, but never curious enough to try and go on my own. However, at a recent training, we scheduled in a trip to the temple, which I also built a lesson around. Interestingly, it isn’t a temple dedicated to the Buddha, but rather a monk. Check it out!

Bpai Tiao: a Trip to the Border in Kanchanaburi

August 19, 2014

In Thailand, a bpai tiao is a trip of any length. I’ve written about some of my more significant bpai tiaos to tourist destinations here, to be used as travel ideas and tips.

Last week was Mother’s Day weekend, so I took the opportunity to travel to the other side of the country, which has piqued my interest for quite some time: Kanchanaburi. I had heard stories of beautiful national parks and of the storied history of the provincial capital’s key involvement in World War II, and so I packed up my tent and headed west, all the way to the Burmese border.

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Thai Performing Arts: Nang Yaai, Shadow Plays

July 29, 2014

There is a specialized form of performing arts that is a bit of a dying breed in Thailand: the nang yai (หนังใหญ่) shadow puppet plays. A friend had told me about stuff he had read about this art form and we briefly talked about trying to go to a performance before he left, but it never materialized. However, as I’ve tried to soak up as much of the cultural as I can this year, I made a trip to Wat Khanon in Ratchaburi, one of the few places that has performances this last weekend.

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Bpai Tiao Video: Thai Nang Yaai Shadow Play

July 27, 2014

In Thailand, a bpai tiao is a trip of any length. I’ve written about some of my more significant bpai tiaos to tourist destinations here, to be used as travel ideas and tips.

In the planning for this year’s Thai Youth Theatre Festival, we decided to do a workshop on shadow puppets. This was included because we learned about a traditional Thai performance art called nang yaai, which literally means “big skin.” Shadow puppets are created out of animal hides and used to perform traditional stories. After a quick search, I discovered Wat Khanon in Ratchaburi does weekly performances and I had to check it out.

Bpai Tiao Video: Vassa and the Candle Festival 2014

July 13, 2014

In Thailand, a bpai tiao is a trip of any length. I’ve written about some of my more significant bpai tiaos to tourist destinations here, to be used as travel ideas and tips.

Every year just before the rainy season, Thailand marks the beginning of Vassa, also known as Buddhist Lent. In Ubon Ratchathani, they host what is known as the Candle Festival every year to mark Vassa. Enormous, carved wax candles are made and drawn as floats in a parade through town. Check it out!

Bpai Tiao Video: Phanom Rung, Buriram

June 1, 2014

In Thailand, a bpai tiao is a trip of any length. I’ve written about some of my more significant bpai tiaos to tourist destinations here, to be used as travel ideas and tips.

In the 12th century, the Khmer empire dominated what is now know as Southeast Asia. Their main city and capital is the famous Angkor complex, which includes Angkor Wat. However, the empire stretched across Thailand, where they also built other cities and temples. Like Angkor, they are now ruins, and some of them aren’t very well preserved. However, Phanom Rung in Buriram is wonderfully well-kept and an excellent destination for tourists. Check it out!

Bpai Tiao: Yasothon’s Bun Bang Fai (Rocket) Festival

May 13, 2014

In Thailand, a bpai tiao is a trip of any length. I’ve written about some of my more significant bpai tiaos to tourist destinations here, to be used as travel ideas and tips.

Previously, I posted about the festivals that I was planning on attending this year in Thailand, one of which was the Rocket Festival in Yasothon. That took place this past weekend and I made it out to rural Isaan just for the occasion.

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Bpai Tiao Video: Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple

April 20, 2014

Outside of Chiang Mai, perhaps one of the most popular place for tourists to go in Northern Thailand is Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple. It was designed and created by Chalermchai Kosipipat after taking on the temple’s restoration in the late 20th century. The sculptures and paintings are heavy with symbolism. Check it out!