Custom Search

The Thai New Year (Songkran)

00:26 see
The Thai New Year (Thai: สงกรานต์ Songkran, from Sanskrit sankrānti "astrological passage"; Chinese) is celebrated every year from April 13 to April 15. It coincides with the New Year of many calendars of South and Southeast Asia.
The date of the festival was originally set by astrological calculation, but it is now fixed.[1] If these days fall on a weekend, the missed days off are taken on the weekdays immediately following. If they fall in the middle of the week, many Thai take off from the previous Friday until the following Monday. Songkran falls in the hottest time of the year in Thailand, at the end of the dry season. Until 1888 the Thai New Year was the beginning of the year in Thailand; thereafter 1 April was used until 1940. 1 January is now the beginning of the year. The traditional Thai New Year has been a national holiday since then
New year traditions
Songkran at Wat Thai in Los Angeles

Water throwing along the western moat of Chiang Mai, Thailand
The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water. People roam the streets with containers of water or water guns, or post themselves at the side of roads with a garden hose and drench each other and passersby. This, however, was not always the main activity of this festival. Songkran was traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends and neighbors.
Besides the throwing of water, people celebrating Songkran may also go to a wat (Buddhist monastery) to pray and give food to monks. They may also cleanse Buddha images from household shrines as well as Buddha images at monasteries by gently pouring water mixed with a Thai fragrance (Thai: น้ำอบไทย) over them. It is believed that doing this will bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year. In many cities, such as Chiang Mai, the Buddha images from all of the city's important monasteries are paraded through the streets so that people can toss water at them, ritually 'bathing' the images, as they pass by on ornately decorated floats. In northern Thailand, people may carry handfuls of sand to their neighborhood monastery in order to recompense the dirt that they have carried away on their feet during the rest of the year. The sand is then sculpted into stupa-shaped piles and decorated with colorful flags.
Some people make New Year resolutions - to refrain from bad behavior, or to do good things. Songkran is a time for cleaning and renewal. Besides washing household Buddha images, many Thais also take this opportunity to give their home a thorough cleaning.

People in a tuk tuk getting soaked during Songkran in Chiang Mai

The use of chalk (Thai: ดินสอพอง) is also very common having originated in the chalk used by monks to mark blessings.

Some children having fun at the Bangkok Zoo during Songkran.
The throwing of water originated as a way to pay respect to people, by capturing the water after it had been poured over the Buddhas for cleansing and then using this "blessed" water to give good fortune to elders and family by gently pouring it on the shoulder. Among young people the holiday evolved to include dousing strangers with water to relieve the heat, since April is the hottest month in Thailand (temperatures can rise to over 100°F or 40°C on some days). This has further evolved into water fights and splashing water over people riding in vehicles.
Nowadays, the emphasis is on fun and water-throwing rather than on the festival's spiritual and religious aspects, which sometimes prompts complaints from traditionalists. In recent years there have been calls to moderate the festival to lessen the many alcohol-related road accidents as well as injuries attributed to extreme behavior such as water being thrown in the faces of traveling motorcyclists.
The water is meant as a symbol of washing all of the bad away and is sometimes filled with fragrant herbs.
Songkran is also celebrated in many places with a paegant in which young women demonstrate their beauty and unique talents, as judged by the audience. The level of financial support usually determines the winner, since, to show your support you must purchase necklaces which you place on your chosen girl.
Astrological calculation
Although the traditional calendar of Thailand like most of Southeast Asia utilizes a lunisolar calendar, the date of the new year was calculated on a purely solar basis. The term Songkran comes from Sanskrit "Sankranta" and means "a move or change" - in this case the move of the sun into the Aries zodiac. Originally this happened at the vernal equinox, but, as the Thai astrology did not observe precession, the date moved from March to April.
There is a similar named Indian Festival called as Sankrant or Makar Sankranti [1], celebrated on 14 January every year. Songkran as such has similarity to Indian festival of Holi.
The traditional new year celebration in Sri Lanka also coincides with the Thai new year.
Greetings
The traditional greeting is "สวัสดีปีใหม่" (sa-wat-dee pee mai), basically "Happy New Year". "Sawasdee" = also used for "hello" or "goodbye" (Romanized spellings may vary, i.e. "sawatdee", "sawadee" or "sawasdee"). "Pee" = year. "Mai" = new. Or "สุขสันต์ปีใหม่" (suk-san pee mai), "Suksan" = Happy.However, most people use "สุขสันต์วันสงกรานต์" (suk-san wan songkran) - meaning "Happy Songkran Day" - since "pi mai" is more often linked with the first of January. "Suksan" is also used as an attribute for other days such as "Valentine's Day" ("สุขสันต์วันแห่งความรัก", suk-san wan haeng khwam rak) = Happy Valentine's Day.
In other calendars
Songkran is also celebrated in Laos (called pee mai lao), Cambodia (called Chaul Chnam Thmey, Cambodian New Year), Myanmar (called Thingyan), and by the Dai people in Yunnan, China. The same day is celebrated in South Asian calendars as well: the Assamese (called Rongali Bihu), Bengali (called Pohela Boishakh), Oriya (called Maha Visuba Sangkranti), Malayali, Punjabi, Sinhalese, and Tamil New Years fall on the same dates, based on the astrological event of the sun beginning its northward journey. It occurs at the same time as that given by Bede for festivals of Eostre—and Easter weekend occasionally coincides with Songkran (most recently 1979, 1990, and 2001, but not again until 2085).
Other places celebrate with water but more traditionally, such as the Water-Splashing Festival of Chiang Rung (Jinghong), China.
ป้ายกำกับ: , 0 ความคิดเห็น | edit post
Custom Search

Ko Lanta

03:11 see
Ko Lanta (Thai: เกาะลันตา, also Koh Lanta) is a district (amphoe) in Krabi Province, Thailand.Slogan
Based upon Krabi province, it holds the slogan as of the province i.e.:
"The province of coal mines , Fossil shell beach , towering mountains, beautiful streams, an abundance of islands, palm plantations, sandy beaches, wonderful sea world, Emerald of Andaman, and heavenly Phi Phi Islands."

History
The district was establishedเพิ่มรูปภาพ in December 1901.
The origin of the name is unclear, but it may originate from the Javanese word lantas, meaning a type of grill for fish. The name of the island was officially changed to "Ko Lanta" in 1917.
From archaeological discoveries, it is believed that the area was one of the oldest communities in Thailand dating back to the prehistoric period. It is believed that this province may have taken its name after the meaning of Krabi, which means sword. This may have stemmed from a legend that an ancient sword was unearthed prior to the city’s founding.
Geography
The district,located approximately 70km from Krabi Town, consists of two major islands, the larger, more populated Ko Lanta Yai (Commonly known as simply Ko Lanta) and the smaller Ko Lanta Noi, as well as several minor islands. The island (Ko Lanta Yai) has 9 attractive white sandy beaches, splendid scenery; coastlines have more than 70 small islands and plenty with forest, coral reefs and under water life. The geography of the island is typically mangroves; coral rimmed beaches; and rugged tree covered hills. A popular tourist destination, the islands are known for their long, sandy beaches and scuba diving.
Neighboring districts are Nuea Khlong to the northwest and Khlong Thom to the northeast and east. Whereas, the rest of the sides are surrounded by Andaman Sea.
134 km² of the district belong to the Ko Lanta National Park, which was established in 1990 as the 62nd national park of Thailand.

Administration
The district is subdivided into 5 subdistricts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 37 villages (muban). Ko Lanta Yai has township (thesaban tambon) status and covers part of the tambon Ko Lanta Yai.

Transportation
Roads
There are here are only two main roads on Ko Lanta, one in the north-east and another in the south-west which runs parallel to the beach. On Ko Lanta Noi there is just one main road in the east and a smaller one which links with the ferry pier. On the mainland, Highway 4206 connects with Khlong Thom district, passing Khlong Yang and Koh Klang sub-districts to a public car ferry at Baan Hua Hin.
Ferry Boat
There are regular daily ferry boats operating between Ko Lanta and Krabi, Phuket and Ko Phi Phi.
Long-tail Boat
Tourists enjoy hiring long-tail boats to take them to nearby islands.
Motorbike
These can be either hired or taxied out. The island is full of both motorbike rental places and motorbike-taxi drivers.
Songthaew (public passenger pick-up vehicle)
Songthaews run up and down the main roads and have fixed fares for passengers. This is a very common way of transport for locals.
Train
The nearest train station to Ko Lanta is in Trang province just south of Krabi. From there, there are trains to and from Bangkok.
Air
The nearest airports are at Krabi, Trang and Phuket. All three airports have diect road and boat connections. Krabi Airport, the most popular one for travel to Ko Lanta, is approximately 10km from the provincial town and operates international flights to several foreign destinations. Destination Air runs a private charted seaplane to the island.

Tourism
Tourism on Ko Lanta, like the rest of Krabi province, has exploded only very recently. In the early 1990s only the most adventurous travelers visited the island, staying in only the most basic accommodation costing the likes of 50-100baht a night. Nowadays, however, the place has turned into one of the major destinations for visitors to Krabi. The development however, is still nothing on a par with the likes of Phuket or Ko Samui.

Attractions
Ko Lanta National Park Covering a total area of 152 square kilometres, Mu Ko Lanta National Park is located in Amphoe Ko Lanta and consists of many islands. The two major islands are Ko Lanta Yai (เกาะลันตาใหญ่) and Ko Lanta Noi (เกาะลันตาน้อย)
Lanta Old Town It's one of the region’s most culturally diverse with Chinese merchants, original Thai fishing families and an ancient Sea Gypsy community. Many years ago, Ko Lanta's Old Town acted as the port and commercial center for the island and provided a safe harbor for Arabic and Chinese trading vessels sailing between the larger ports of Phuket, Penang and Singapore.
Khao Mai Kaew Caves These Caves, located in the centre of the island, house impressive stalactites and stalagmites, some of the caves are just very large and one contains a pool.
Sea-Gypsy Village Known to the Thais as Chao-Le, sea gypsies have occupied the area for hundreds of years settling along the coast in stilt-built houses erected in the sea. They are unique in that they mix very little with the general population, speak their language and have their very own supernatural and traditional beliefs and rituals.
Orchid Nursery Farm This farm is for those who like flowers. The Orchid Nursery Farm is located at Long Beach (Pra Ae beach).

Activities
Diving & Snorkeling
The diving sites surrounding Ko Lanta are considered by many to be among some of the best the country has to offer. There is an enormous variety of fringing reefs, marine life, caves, rocks and islets.
Hin Daeng and Hin Muang near Ko Lanta are perhaps the best dive sites in Thailand (ranking in the world’s top ten) with more than 200 hard corals and 108 reef fish catalogued in a study underway, but thousands more organisms abound. Hin Daeng has the steepest and deepest in the whole of the country with beautiful marine life. Hin Muang next door is completely underwater and it is covered with delicate violet coral. The sites also have one of the world's highest incidences of whale shark sightings.
Fishing
Fishers usually catch the likes of marlin, sailfish barracuda, red snapper and tuna during a long tail boat trip having a choice of either day fishing or night fishing.
Kayaking
The east side of Ko Lanta with its rich mangroves is the most suitable for kayaking in peace and quiet while admiring the natural surroundings. Kayaking is also the best way to explore caves. Kayaking can also be done in mangrove swam at Baan Tungyeepeng and Ko Talabaeng, the limestone cliff near Ko Lanta.
Trekking
Ko Lanta’s pristine forests with excellent flora and fauna are suitable for trekking. Elephant riding are usually arranged to take visitors to the top of the hill in Ko Lanta National Park.
Thai Boxing
There is one small boxing stadium on the island which hosts regular fights. The stadium is a popular place with foreigners for learning the art.
Ko Lanta now has its very own mini-boxing stadium which arranges regular fights. These are popular with foreigners interested in this ancient martial art. Tourists can train there if they wish as there is also a training camp.
Thai Cooking
Thai cooking courses on Ko Lanta offer foreign tourists the chance to learn to cook up all their favourite dishes such as tom yum kung, sweet green curry and chicken with cashew nuts.
Spa
Traditional Thai massage, characterized by its holistic approach to health, is aimed at enhancing not only one’s physical and emotional state but also to allow one to grow spiritually. There are many spa places on this island. However, massage on the beach is also possible – you won’t know however, if she is well-trained (otherwise there could be risks involved)

Local Product
Batik
Even though it is Indonesian in origin, the art of batik has embedded itself within the local culture. There are also a lot of handicrafts such as pineapple paper.

Nightlife
Since it is a small island relatively free of crime and drunkards, the local law-enforcers are more lenient about allowing bars along the beach to stay open until what time they wish, and that is usually when the last customer goes home. Many of the beer bars have hostesses.
Local Culture

Lifestyle
Krabi and Ko Lanta are a melting pot of Buddhists, Thai-Chinese, Muslims and even sea gypsies. The majority of the population in the rural areas is Muslim. The area however, does not suffer from any religious tension and the folk live in peace and harmony. Most of the folk speak with a thick Southern dialect which is difficult for even other Thais to understand.
With this kind of mixture, Krabi is always celebrating something be it part of Thai Buddhist, Thai-Chinese or Thai-Islamic tradition.
The unique lifestyle of the Chao-Le (sea-gypsy) in Ko Lanta particularly is well-worth a witness, a life-style that has been almost completely unaffected by the booming tourism on the island.


Events & Festivals
Krabi Boek Fa Andaman Festival (งานกระบี่เบิกฟ้าอันดามัน) This is annually held in November to inaugurate the province’s tourist season. Water sports competitions, cultural shows, and good-natured fun are the schedule.
Laanta Lanta Festival (เทศกาลลานตา ลันตา) The festival is usually held in March every year at the Old Community in Ko Lanta called Lanta Old Town, which has a very old history of more than 100 years. Ancient Chinese style houses can still be seen here. In this festival, tourists can see the traditional culture, previously unseen ceremonial demonstrations, Southern local performances, folk games, water sports competitions and enjoy the tastes from various kinds of food booths which are provided by prestigious hotels on the island.
Loi Ruea Chao-Le Festival (ประเพณีลอยเรือชาวเล) This old ritualistic tradition takes place on Ko Lanta during the full moon of the sixth and eleventh month in the lunar calendar. This is a religious rite performed by the sea gypsies of Ko Lanta, as well as, from other neighbouring areas, who gather on the beach near Sala Dan Village. They dance their famous "rong ngeng" round the boats of misfortune to be set adrift. Ceremonies feature singing and dancing. This festival is expected to bring prosperity and happiness to the participants.
Sat Duean Sip Festival or Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month (งานประเพณีสารทเดือนสิบ) This is the southern traditional merit making occasion to honour one's ancestors. Food offerings such as Khanom La, Khanom Chohu, Khanom Phong, Khanom Ba, and Khanom Kong or Khai Pla, are made offer to Buddhist monks.
Chak Phra Festival (งานประเพณีชักพระ) The original waterborne procession, where Buddha images are put on elaborately decorated pulpits on boats are pulled along on the river, has been replaced by a land procession. The festival was formerly accompanied with a performance of traditional boat songs. However, the traditional waterborne songs have since disappeared.

Art
Likae Pa (ลิเกป่า) An adapted play, Like Pa follows the adventures of an Indian merchant from Calcutta who married a local girl named Yayi. The story is then followed by other plays. Like Pa is accompanied by the music of folk instruments such as various kinds of drums, cymbals, and gongs. The lyrics are a mixture of the traditional Manora and Buranyawa songs. With its long history of popularity in Krabi, Like Pa performers are abundant here. It is believed that the play originated in this province. Many companies are still performing this dramatic art such as Mr. Truek Plodrit who won a cultural award.
Shadow Plays (หนังตะลุง)This is an Indian influence. There are many shadow play or nang talung companies in Krabi.
Manora (มโนราห์) This is a dance performance, native to southern Thailand, which truly reflects its traditional culture.
Rong Ngeng (รองเง็ง) and Phleng Tanyong (เพลงตันหยง) A Malaysian adaptation, which is of Portuguese origin, rong ngeng is a traditional folk dance and music customarily performed in noble houses. It was later performed by the locals with Thai lyrics called phleng tanyong.

Local Food
In general, Southern Thai food is renowned for its spiciness. Much of the cuisine has its origins in Malay, Indonesian and Indian food. Favourite dishes from the south include Indian-style Muslim curry (massaman), rice noodles in fish curry sauce (Khanom Jeen) and chicken birayani.
As for Ko Lanta, reasonable priced and tasty seafood is obviously what most tourists long for when visiting a coastal province like Krabi. In this connection, the wing shell (หอยชักตีน) is Krabi’s famous cuisine. In addition, stirred fried Spotted Babylon (หอยหวาน), which is found in mangrove forests, with chilies and basil is also famous. This cuisine is common in Ko Lanta’s restaurants. Another great Krabi taste is, of course, seafood. The Ko Lanta beach areas have several restaurants with the 'catch of the day' displayed on ice outside. One can find all kinds of fish; juicy crabs and langoustines; shellfish, including giant oysters; as well as squid and lobsters.

Medical Health Care
The major and the most common medical facility providers are: the Ban Saladan Clinic in Saladan and on the eastern side of the island: Koh Lanta Hospital.

Retirement
Ko Lanta is ideal for retirees who want to retire in peace and quiet and lead a no-hassles life. The weather is just right for those who are fed-up of the cold back home and want instead to enjoy tropical weather. The locals are renowned for their friendly nature, crime is virtually non-existent and the cost of living is cheap.

Media/Contact
Nationwide television, cable TVs, local cable TV channels are available on Ko Lanta especially in tourist spots. International newspapers and magazines are available at some bookstores.
Landline telephones, satellite phones, all mobile phone systems, high-speed internet (ADSL) are available. There is also a post office with parcel services.
ป้ายกำกับ: 0 ความคิดเห็น | edit post
Custom Search

Ko Sichang

03:07 see
Ko Sichang (Thai: เกาะสีชัง) is a district (amphoe) of the province Chonburi, Thailand. It consists of the island of Ko Sichang and its adjoing islands. Ko Sichang is located in the Gulf of Thailand, 12 km away from the western shore of Si Racha district.
History
Town on Ko Sichang
King Rama IV, Rama V and Rama VI came to island for their rest. King Rama V had initiated to construct the first palace for royal home-stay in summer. The palace was named "Phra Chuthathut Palace" (Thai: พระจุฑาธุชราชฐาน), after his son who was born on this island. This royal residence was abandoned in 1893 after the French occupied the island during a conflict with Thailand over which country would control neighboring Laos. In 1900, the palace was torn down and reassembled in Bangkok, now named Vimanmek Palace.
The island was originally a minor district (King Amphoe) under the Mueang district of Samut Prakan Province. Becoming effective on January 1 1943 it was reassigned to the Si Ratcha district of Chonburi. On July 4 1994 the minor district was upgraded to a full district.
Administration
The district consists of a single subdistrict (tambon) Tha Thewawong (ท่าเทววงษ์), which is further subdivided into 7 villages (muban). The district is completely covered by the township (thesaban tambon) Ko Sichang.
Adjacent islands
Ko Sichang and some of its adjacent islands seen from the south.
Ko Sampan Yue
Ko Khaam Noi
Ko Khaam Yai
Ko Prong
Ko Ran Dok Mai
Ko Yai Taow
Ko Khaangkhaow
Ko Tai Ta Muaen
ป้ายกำกับ: 0 ความคิดเห็น | edit post
Custom Search

Ko Pha-ngan

03:01 see
Ko Pha Ngan (or Koh Phangan, Thai: เกาะพะงัน) is an island in the Gulf of Thailand in South East Thailand. It is famous for its full moon party at Haad Rin Beach and as a backpackers destination. Ko Pha Ngan has two sister islands: the larger Ko Samui to the south and the smaller Ko Tao to the north.
Area: about 168 km²
Estimated perimeter: 50 km EST. (10hrs average walking time)
Province: Surat Thani
From mainland: about 55 km
From Ko Samui: about 15 km
From Ko Tao: about 35 km
Population: 11,846 (2004)
Main town: Thong Sala
Highest Point:History
The Bronze Drum of Dongson Culture (500BC - 100BC) that was found on Ko Samui in 1977 is evidence that there were settlements of people on Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, and their islets from more than two thousand years ago. Some historians and archaeologists believe that the first group who migrated to Ko Pha Ngan were the Muslim sea Gypsies (Pygmy, Semung, and Proto-Malay) who travelled by boat from the Malay Peninsula. However, nowadays there are few Muslims who live on the island. The name of Ko Pha Ngan comes from the word 'Ngan', the southern dialect meaning 'sand bar', for there are many sand bars offshore around the island. Ko Pha Ngan has been a long time favorite of past kings of Thailand. Specifically Rama V, or Chulalongkorn visited Ko Pha Ngan 14 times during his reign.
Administration Khao Ra, 630m asl.

Originally the island was administrated from Ko Samui district. The minor district (King Amphoe) Ko Pha Ngan was established on October 1 1970, then consisting of the two tambon Ko Pha Ngan and Ban Tai. . It was upgraded to a full district on April 12 1977.
Parts of the tambon Ko Pha Ngan and Ban Tai form the township (thesaban tambon) Ko Pha Ngan. There are further three Tambon administrative organizations (TAO).
Attractions


As a natural paradise island in the Southern Gulf of Thailand, Ko Pha Ngan is often seen as a getaway retreat, where one may go relaxing on the many quiet deserted beaches including the beautiful Chalok lam Bay, Ban Tai, Ban Khai, Haad Yao, Haad Salat, Haad Son and the Mae Haed beaches. There are many activities in which to participate including snorkeling and learning to dive at the distinctive island of Ko Ma, trekking in the footsteps of Thai Royalty at Than Sadet National Park steeped in history and culture, or seeking adventure in the nearby Ang Thong archipelago composed of over 40 islands endowed with pristine beaches, natural caves and the tranquil Tha Laem Nai. Ko Pha Ngan has over 250 resorts to choose from, ranging from the budget 80 baht a night beach hut without private toilet to luxury air-conditioned accommodation with private swimming pool.
It's the simple beach life which continues to attract visitors each year along with the island's reputation for full moon parties and a hedonistic approach to life. The backpackers, budget tourists and aging hippies are beginning to give way to families and more mainstream tourists as all the beaches are fully developed. The full moon party consists of tens of thousands in high season - all on the beach. Revelers from all over the world still flock to the world's biggest beach party every month. The music from the multiple sound systems is made up mostly of electronic styles such as Psytrance, house, techno and drum & bass and a predominantly youthful crowd dance 'til dawn on party nights. It has been reported that western tourists have been victims of unprovoked assaults by gangs on a number of occasions, particularly around the time of the full moon parties late at night in the vicinity of bars in Haad Rin. Other events such as the Half Moon Party and Black Moon Party also attract large crowds. Despite the special titles the events on the beach are identical every single night. However, it is still possible to visit the island and avoid the full moon party altogether, with dozens of quiet, secluded resorts and beach huts dotted all over the island for a variety of prices. Many of the more costly resorts offer such facilities as daily yoga, yoga teachers' training, meditation, a variety of healing, healthy & natural therapies, spa massage & pampering services and herbal steam rooms.

Longtail
Other activities available on the island include scuba diving with a number of companies offering very reasonably priced training courses and excursions, snorkelling, especially off the Mae Haad sandbar in the north west, wakeboarding, archery, fishing, walks in the national park or simply relaxing in the company of other farangs or the friendly locals.
Reference in Popular Culture
Ko Pha Ngan featured promiently in Alex Garland's 1997 novel The Beach, and is also mentioned in the song Magick by the new rave band Klaxons' (but probably more as a reference to the 1997 novel The Beach than the island itself).
ป้ายกำกับ: 0 ความคิดเห็น | edit post
Custom Search

Ko Tapu

02:58 see
Ko Tapu (Thai: เกาะตะปู, lit. nail island, also sometimes Khao Tapu, เขาตะปู, nail hill) is an island located in the Phang Nga Bay, Thailand. It has become a popular tourist attraction since it was featured in the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun in 1974; for this reason, it is also often referred to as James Bond Island (the later 1997 James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies also includes a scene in Phang Nga Bay, close to James Bond Island). Ko Tapu island is about 20 meters tall, and lies approximately 150 meters offshore of the two-islet pair known as the island Ko Khao Phingkan (Thai: เกาะเขาพิงกัน, lit. "hills resting on each other island").
Departing from Phuket island, day-tours using longtail boats usually land at Ko Khao Phingkan, where market booths are set up. The islands are located within the Ao Phang Nga National Park.
Various Bollywood movies have also been filmed in these islands including the blockbuster Kaho Na Pyaar Hai.

ป้ายกำกับ: 0 ความคิดเห็น | edit post
Custom Search

Ko kut

02:54 see
Ko Kut (Thai: เกาะกูด) is a district (Amphoe) of Trat Province, eastern Thailand, consisting of a group of islands. With a population of about 2000 it is the district with the lowest population of all Thailand.
History
Originally the area of the district was part of the subdistrict (tambon) Ko Chang, Laem Ngop district. In 1952 the subdistrict Ko Mak was established covering the whole island, at that time subdivided into 4 villages (muban).[1] In 1980 three villages of Ko Mak were split off to create the subdistrict Ko Kut.On April 1 1990 the government upgraded tambon Ko Kut together with tambon Ko Mak to a minor district (King Amphoe).
Following a decision of the Thai government on May 15 2007, all of the 81 minor districts were to be upgraded to full districts. With the publishing in the Royal Gazette on August 24 the upgrade became official.
As local government entities the two Tambon administrative organizations (TAO) were created in 2003 and 2004 respectively. The Tambon Council Ko Kut was upgraded to a TAO in 2003,[6] and for Ko Mak in 2004.

Geography
It is a major island ringed by sleepy seaside villages and coconut plantation. It is about one hour from the mainland by speedboat.
Kut Island has limited infrastructure and hence is not as popular like nearby Ko Chang. Several small resorts on the islands cater to mostly Thai tourists who prefer a quiet and family-friendly atmosphere. The island has great beaches and is a great spot to get away from the "farang crowd".

Administration
The district ist subdivided into 2 subdistricts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 8 villages (muban). There are 2 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO), one for each subdistrict.
ป้ายกำกับ: 0 ความคิดเห็น | edit post
Custom Search

Thai Fruit

09:25 see
The pomelo, (Citrus maxima or Citrus grandis), is a citrus fruit native to South East Asia. It is usually pale green to yellow when ripe, with sweet white (or, more rarely, pink or red) flesh and very thick spongy rind. It is the largest citrus fruit, 15-25 cm in diameter, and usually weighing 1-2 kg. Other names for pomelo include pummelo, pommelo, Chinese grapefruit, Lusho Fruit, jabong, pompelmous,and shaddock.Pomelos are also referred to as chakotara in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Purple Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), colloquially known simply as "the mangosteen", is a tropical evergreen tree, believed to have originated in the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas of Indonesia. The tree grows from 7 to 25 m (20–80 ft) tall. The rind (exocarp) of the edible fruit is deep reddish purple when ripe. Botanically an aril, the fragrant edible flesh can be described as sweet and tangy, citrusy with peach flavor and texture.
The Purple Mangosteen belongs to the same genus as the other — less widely known — mangosteens, such as the Button Mangosteen (G. prainiana) or the Lemondrop Mangosteen (G. madruno). Botanically, they are not related to the mango (Mangifera spp.), which belongs to the Anacardiaceae plant family.

Maturation of the exocarp and edible aril
The juvenile mangosteen fruit, which does not require fertilization to form (see agamospermy), first appears as pale green or almost white in the shade of the canopy. As the fruit enlarges over the next two to three months, the exocarp color deepens to darker green. During this period, the fruit increases in size until its exocarp is 6–8 centimeters in outside diameter, remaining hard until a final, abrupt ripening stage.
The subsurface chemistry of the mangosteen exocarp comprises an array of polyphenolic acids including xanthones and tannins that assure astringency to discourage infestation by insects, fungi, plant viruses, bacteria and animal predation while the fruit is immature. Color changes and softening of the exocarp are natural processes of ripening that indicates the fruit can be eaten and the seeds are finished developing.
Mangosteen produces a recalcitrant seed and must be kept moist to remain viable until germination. Mangosteen seeds are nucellar in origin and not the result of fertilization; they germinate as soon as they are removed from the fruit and die quickly if allowed to dry.
Once the developing mangosteen fruit has stopped expanding, chlorophyll synthesis slows as the next color phase begins. Initially streaked with red, the exocarp pigmentation transitions from green to red to dark purple, indicating a final ripening stage. This entire process takes place over a period of ten days as the edible quality of the fruit peaks.
Over days following removal from the tree, the exocarp hardens to an extent depending upon post-harvest handling and ambient storage conditions, especially humidity. If the ambient humidity is high, exocarp hardening may take a week or longer when the aril quality is peaking and excellent for consumption. However, after several additional days of storage, especially if unrefrigerated, the arils inside the fruit might spoil without any obvious external indications. Using hardness of the rind as an indicator of freshness for the first two weeks following harvest is therefore unreliable because the rind does not accurately reveal the interior condition of the arils. If the exocarp is soft and yielding as it is when ripe and fresh from the tree, the fruit is usually good.
The edible endocarp of the mangosteen is botanically defined as an aril with the same shape and size as a tangerine 4–6 centimeters in diameter, but is white. The circle of wedge-shaped arils contains 4–8 segments, the larger ones harboring apomictic seeds that are unpalatable unless roasted.
Often described as a subtle delicacy, the arils bear an exceptionally mild aroma, quantitatively having about 400 times fewer chemical constituents than fragrant fruits, explaining its relative mildness.[3] Main volatile components having caramel, grass and butter notes as part of the mangosteen fragrance are hexyl acetate, hexenol and α-copaene.
On the bottom of the exocarp, raised ridges (remnants of the stigma), arranged like spokes of a wheel, correspond to the number of aril sections.[4] Mangosteens reach fruit-bearing in as little as 5–6 years, but more typically require 8–10 years.

The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree growing to between five and eight meters tall. The pomegranate is native to Southwest Asia and has been cultivated and naturalized over the whole Mediterranean region and the Caucasus since ancient times. It is widely cultivated throughout Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, India, Pakistan, Syria, Turkey, the drier parts of southeast Asia, Peninsular Malaysia, the East Indies, and tropical Africa. Introduced into Latin America and California by Spanish settlers in 1769, pomegranate is now cultivated in parts of California and Arizona for juice production.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the fruit is typically in season from September to February. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is in season from March to May

The leaves are opposite or sub-opposite, glossy, narrow oblong, entire, 3–7 cm long and 2 cm broad. The flowers are bright red, 3 cm in diameter, with four to five petals (often more on cultivated plants). Some fruitless varieties are grown for the flowers alone. The edible fruit is a berry and is between a lemon and a grapefruit in size, 5–12 cm in diameter with a rounded hexagonal shape, and has thick reddish skin and around 600 seeds. The seeds and surrounding pulp, ranging in color from white to deep red, are called arils. There are some cultivars which have been introduced that have a range of pulp colors such as purple.
Punica granatum nana is a dwarf variety of P. granatum popularly used as Bonsai trees and as a patio plant. The only other species in the genus Punica is the Socotran pomegranate (Punica protopunica), which is endemic to the island of Socotra. It differs in having pink (not red) flowers and smaller, less sweet fruit. Pomegranates are drought tolerant, and can be grown in dry areas with either a Mediterranean winter rainfall climate or in summer rainfall climates. In wetter areas, they are prone to root decay from fungal diseases. They are tolerant of moderate frost, down to about −10°C (14°F).[citation needed]

ป้ายกำกับ: 0 ความคิดเห็น | edit post