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Loy Krathong full
of meaning and tradition
According to the history written by King Mongkut in 1863,
the Loy Krathong festival has its roots in ancient Brahmin culture, going
back some 700 years. The spirits of the river were given offerings which
were sailed in the river in small boats (krathongs) and in this way the
owner of the krathong would gain absolution. This was a Brahmin belief.
 Loy
Krathong this year falls on Wednesday, November 12.
The small boats fashioned by the beautiful and talented Nang Noppamas, the
daughter of a Brahmin priest and wife of King Phra Ruang, were notable for
their construction and beauty. It was this King who then dedicated the
krathong to the memory of the Buddha, and decreed that the event would be
called Loy Krathong and that it should become an annual celebration to
commemorate the skill and beauty of his consort. In this way he lifted it
out of Brahmin culture and installed it into the accepted Buddhist way of
life. This is the reason that the krathongs now carry three incense sticks
representing the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
During the Loy Krathong Festival, people decorate their krathong with
flowers, joss sticks and candles which will then sail away, taking with them
bad health, bad luck and unhappiness.
Lanterns are well-known symbols in the Loy Krathong Festival, too, being
used to decorate houses and temples in worship of the guardian spirits.
There are four kinds of lantern used in the festival: the hand-held rabbit
lantern, the hot air balloon lantern (kom loy), the hanging lantern for
religious worship, and the spin lantern installed at the temples. The belief
in lanterns is that the lights inside compare with the wisdom the people
will gain in the next life.
Can elephants Loy Krathong?
Patcharapol Panrak
Can our brainy elephants place floats in the water on Loy Krathong Day
without causing massive tidal waves on the lake?
 Elephants
at Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens are learning how to loy their krathongs.
We shall have to wait and see on November 8, won’t we?
Five young elephants are being trained by their mahouts to lead the grand
Noppamas parade at the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden at Najomtien District in
Sattahip.
For elephants Pang Yok, 5 years old, Pang Christmas, also 5, Plai Maimuang, 6,
Pang Baitoey, 4, and Pang Sangdao, 5, Loy Krathong is a piece of cake, say their
mahouts with some confidence.
On October 25, as shows entertained on the stage, Manit Narinrak, manager of the
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Niti Kongkrut, director of the Thailand Tourism
Authority’s Region 3 office and Sornchai Thongyangyoen, Najomtien sub-district
chief, announced the forthcoming floating festivities.
Manager Manit said this would be the fifth year that Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
has celebrated Loy Krathong on its lake. There will be light-and-sound shows,
floating lanterns and a grand Noppamas parade on boats and on land.
All can see our traditional ways and have fun, he said.
Niti Kongkrut said it was fortunate for Chonburi to have the Nong Nooch Tropical
Garden which has become a well-known tourist destination, especially for its
daily elephant shows performed for tourists.
Loy Krathong with elephants is a clever idea for tourists, he said.
A more traditional method is also
being used at Nong Nooch.
Sattahip Lions build house for blind man
Beneficiaries and benefactors
gather round
the first post for the couple’s new home.
Patcharapol Panrak
Thanks to the Sattahip Lions Club, the ceremony to erect the first post
for a house being built for a homeless elderly man, who is blind and has only
one arm, and his wife went ahead happily on October 14.
Prasert Iampetch, chairwoman of Sattahip Lions Club, Sania Kredsamran and other
members of the Sattahip Disabled Association performed the ceremony after the
Lions Club donated money to build a house for Tawee Jirat, 67, in Samaesarn
Sub-district in Sattahip.
Tawee lost his right arm and has been blind since 1962. His wife Sangwien, 81,
has been bravely taking care of both of them. The impoverished couple has never
had a dwelling of their own.
Chairwoman Prasert said the couple have a hard life having been abandoned by
their relations to fend for themselves.
Tawee said he owed his life to Sangwien who even at her age was still guiding
him everywhere. They could live only through the help and generosity of
neighbors, he said.
He deeply thanked the Lions Club for their assistance, saying that it was
unfortunate that he was not able to see the kind faces of his benefactors. He
said he prayed that “they be spared enemies, suffering, sadness, disease, and
danger.”
Prasert said there are many disabled people needing help in Sattahip. When it
could, her club made available a maximum donation of 50,000 baht each to build
houses on government land for the disabled and the homeless.
If there was land available then the club would build houses for people, she
said.
PCEC meeting is truly “hip”
At the Sunday meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club at the
Amari’s Henry J. Bean Restaurant on Sunday, October 26, MC Richard Silverberg
began the proceedings by introducing fellow member Gavin Waddell from the
International Relations Department, Phyathai Hospital Sriracha, to introduce the
week’s guest speaker. Gavin then introduced Dr. Montien Sirisuntornlak, M.D.,
the hospital’s orthopedic surgeon who last spoke to the club on February 17,
2008 about knee replacement surgery.
 PCEC
member Gavin Waddell from the International Relations Department, Phyathai
Hospital Sriracha, and Dr. Montien Sirisuntornlak, M.D., the hospital’s
orthopedic surgeon, answer questions following the presentation on total hip
replacement.
This week he told us about total hip replacement (THR) surgery, why it is
needed, procedures used, and expectations after replacement. Dr. Montien is well
qualified in his field, being a Fellow of the Board of Orthopedics and of the
Sub-board of Spinal Surgery and Arthroplasty. He has had an almost 100 percent
success rate in performing over 500 knee and hip replacement surgeries.
With the aid of pictures and diagrams, Dr. Montien described the conditions that
can lead to THR surgery. He explained that the hip is a ball and socket joint
consisting of the head of the femur, which moves within a cup like socket of the
pelvic bone. This ball and socket joint is covered by a cartilage surface, which
allows smooth and painless motion of the hip joint. Several strong ligaments
help hold the head of the femur within the socket. However, various conditions
can cause the hip ball and socket to deteriorate, thus limiting mobility and
causing pain. These hip problems are the result of either wear and tear or from
disease and injury.
Some of the common hip problems leading to THR are: (1) osteoarthritis, which is
wear and tear from overuse or from aging; (2) rheumatoid arthritis, which is
inflammation of the joint lining and destruction of the ball and socket
components; (3) traumatic arthritis, which is an injury to the hip; and (4)
avascular necrosis or loss of blood supply to the ball or head of the femur bone
causing cartilage to wear away leaving a bone on bone interaction. Initially,
treatment is provided through medication and other non-surgical means. But, if
it becomes too severe, then THR surgery may be necessary.
In making a diagnosis for THR surgery, a complete history and physical
examination is made to determine any correlation between symptoms of pain with
past history and demands placed upon the hip. X-rays are also used to determine
the extent of degeneration to the cartilage or bone. Blood tests and removing
fluids from the joint are done to rule out systemic arthritis or infection. If
surgery is appropriate, then there is a complete physical, EKG, chest X-ray,
etc., which is evaluated by the medical staff to preclude complications.
Dr. Montien briefly described the surgical procedures for implanting an
artificial head and neck for the femur encased inside a plastic cup. These
implants can be fastened into the bone with or without special cement. The
cemented procedure uses a doughy substance that is placed between the artificial
component and the bone. This is the usual method for people over the age of 60
as it is more durable.
The non-cemented procedure is more appropriate for young and active people who
tend to loosen their artificial components. In this method the artificial joint
is covered with a material that allows bone tissue to grow into the metal.
Dr. Montien stated the risks and complications of THR surgery are deep venous
thrombosis (DVT), infection, dislocation, and loosening. DVT (blood clots) can
occur after any operation. However, he said these risks and complications are
rare events. After surgery, care will be provided by nurses and therapists. In
the first 6 to 8 weeks, the patient needs to take care in bending. Today’s
artificial hips can last a lifetime for older patients.
After THR, the patient no longer experiences severe pain and often is able to
take part in physical activities that were previously impossible.
Dr. Montien then asked for questions, which were many. In response to the cost
of THR surgery at Phyathai Hospital Sriracha, Gavin Waddell said that it varies
depending on the patient, but generally should fall between 200,000 and 250,000
baht.
The meeting concluded as usual with MC Richard Silverberg updating the audience
on upcoming events and special interest group activities before calling on
“Hawaii Bob” Sutterfield to conduct the Open Forum. As always, the often
humorous Open Forum provided answers to questions from the members and guests
about living here in Thailand - following the Club’s motto of expats helping
expats.
Charity Club of Pattaya receives 5th and 6th platinum sponsors
Christina Boden of the Charity Club of Pattaya went along to
the office of Kevin Fisher, M.D. of Cranes & Equipment Asia on Soi 17 Thepprasit
Road recently to collect some more platinum sponsorship money for the Charity
Gala Dinner that will be held at the All Seasons Hotel Pattaya on Saturday,
January 24, 2009.
 Kevin
Fisher’s wife Som and Secretary Jack hand over the donation to Christina.
Kevin Fisher of Cranes & Equipment Asia provides a service offering all aspects
of the crane and equipment business. Kevin moves cranes and equipment all over
the world as well as supervising and arranging heavy lifts. This will be the 3rd
year that Cranes & Equipment Asia has been a sponsor.
www.cranesasia.com
Later in the week, Christina took a trip to Ocean Marina Yacht Club. No she
hasn’t a luxury boat moored off shore; she was there to meet with yet another
platinum sponsor.
M.D. Antony Chapman from Blue Wave Watersports became platinum sponsor number
six!
 Antony
Chapman from Blue Wave Watersports donates his platinum sponsorship to Christina
Boden.
Blue Wave Watersports is the sole S.E. Asian distributor of Hobie Cat Catamarans
and Kayaks. Blue Wave have built a solid reputation for providing high quality
beach sailing and fun sea kayaks to hotel resorts.
Blue Wave Watersports is TAT registered with certified ASA instructors, and can
offer a wide range of sailing courses and boat chartering options.
This will be the second year that Blue Wave has been a platinum sponsor for the
Charity Gala Dinner.
www.sailing-pattaya.com
Cranes & Equipment Asia and Blue Wave Watersports join the other platinum
sponsors: Alan Bolton of Alan Bolton Property Consultants, John Richardson of
U.T.S., Queen Victoria Inn, David Isitt, Tryba - The World of Wine and John
Seymour of Northern Thai Realty.
PILC prepares for annual Black & White Ball
Last year’s theme was Masquerade;
this year it will be Black & White.
Adene Paykel
PILC Special events
The time has come to celebrate a wonderful year for the Pattaya International
Ladies Club, a time to relax and enjoy the hard work we have all put in, in
2008. It’s also a time to ring in the New Year so what better way to do this
than at this year’s annual Black and White ball on Saturday November 15 at the
Dusit Thani Resort. Tickets are 3,500 baht, and as you all know it is the PILC’s
most fruitful fundraiser!
The evening is shaping up to be a fun and sophisticated event, starting at
6.30pm with canapés & cocktails as we watch the sun go down.
Of course there will be fabulous entertainment and plenty of dancing, with music
to cater for all. And don’t forget the very important part of the night, our
auction; we have some exciting items up for grabs, including services of a
private chef, an antique cutlery setting and a beautiful Florence Broadhurst
inspired piece of art. So please make your reservations soon, we don’t want you,
our members, to miss out!
Evening menu: graved laks with dill mustard sauce; chicken consommé with
pancakes; poached scallops & spring onion on puff pastry; Grand Marnier
flavoured orange sherbet; grilled pork steak with ratatouille & herbed onion
potatoes or pan-fried red snapper fillet with sun-dried tomato and olive sauce
or beef tender loin in olive sauce with pepperoni stew; and a delicious desert
buffet. Fine Australian red & white wine will accompany your meal & a choice of
Heineken or Singha.
Please note there is a vegetarian option.
Reserve your tickets from Adene Paykel tel. 086 149 1771.
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