Thailand is a nation of amazing stability, and harmony with the environment. Traditions are of personal liberation and the attainment of nirvana...but not as one of Asia's leaders.
We knew of course that Thailand is a country in Asia, sharing borders with Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos and Cambodia. We were aware that Paradorn Srichaphan (recently more in the news for marrying a former Miss Universe than for playing tennis!) hails from there.
Shoppers paradise
And we anticipated being afflicted by the ‘shop till you drop’ syndrome at branded (or fake) retail outlets at Bangkok, or elsewhere in makeshift marketplaces mushrooming three days a week in parking lots, where bargaining on prices is a part of the fun…
Juxtaposing old and new
But until we decided to visit this month, we didn’t know that the currency, called baht, converts to about 1.30 INR, and 0.03 USD. Or that Thailand is a nation of amazing stability, and harmony with the environment. 
Ten million years old stone remnants of the ancient world, temple spires and modern-day landscaping juxtapose aesthetically. No surprise perhaps that Sa-nga Kulkobkiat, the Master of Feng Shui finds a place of honour at the (Chinese) Temple of Tao.
The Big Buddha
The majority religion is Buddhism. The Theravada traditions of personal liberation and the attainment of nirvana follow Gautama Buddha’s original path of enlightenment.
The laser carving on the rock-faced hillock in Khao Chee Chan province commemorates this belief as it does the people’s faith in the constitutional monarchy that holds the nation together.
Living co-existence
The Thai are a hardworking people generally. They keep on without obvious supervision at repetitive tasks to ensure that the aesthetically pleasing ‘clean, clean, clean’ image of Nature is maintained everywhere.
The inclusiveness is cultivated with living and apparently non-living beings in the air, on land, and in the watery depths.
Creatures small and large are remembered and nurtured in their own living space. Visitors are included in various activities like feeding bottled milk to tiger cubs, or in the sale of t-shirts painted by elephants.
The crocodile eggs breaking festival is held annually, and is growing in popularity. The event last year set a new record of over 86 thousand hatchings that keeps the numerous reptile farms busy! 
We were, of course, amply impressed with the surroundings in Thailand. The question then arising is why the country is not spoken of as one of Asia’s leaders?
Cont’d 2…place of pleasure
3 comments:
This looks interesting and something to add to my list of things to do and places to go
Ah, yes indeed! Every place and culture in the world has something new and unique to offer. You may perhaps have some insights to share as well!
beautiful pictures n-mashi!
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