Compared to most Western countries, we here at WoWasis feel Asia is pretty safe. Most travelers can go just about anywhere, any time, and not have to be constantly looking over their shoulders. Nevertheless, travelers not practicing basic security measures are leaving themselves open to the occasional theft. So here are some things to keep […]
Read the rest of this entry »Archive for the 'Events & Festivals' Category
Toilet Trucks in Bangkok: business is good when business is crappy
Need to go when you’re on the go? Then Bangkok Municipal Administration’s fleet of 31 toilet trucks can help. These aging green mobile giants sport four toilets and six urinals, and are used as public conveniences during protest activities and public events. Each truck contains 2,000 litres of water, enough for 500 flushes. Detritus is […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis book review: Kaowai & Robinson’s ‘In Grandmother’s House’
Visitors spending any time looking into the culture of Thailand will run into thousands of folk traditions and beliefs, and Thais are always impressed when a foreigner wishes to know more about them. Understanding these concepts is empirical, as one thing inevitably leads to another. We at WoWasis are still learning. And that’s why we […]
Read the rest of this entry »Making merit: Tham boon at a Thai temple
Many — and here we’ll take the risk of saying Most — Thais make merit at a wat (temple) periodically. Making merit is the act of taking a small gift to the wat, presenting it to a monk, reflecting on good wishes in the name of others, and receiving a blessing from the monk. Everyone […]
Read the rest of this entry »The Isaan Way of Death: Buddhism in upcounty Thailand
Nit from Udon Thani’s grandmother died this week, and the family is planning for the elaborate death ceremony that accompanies most Isaan deaths in upcountry Thailand. She tells us a little about the ritual, a fascinating one for anyone interested in Buddhism and death in Thailand. “They always cremate the body,” she says. They can […]
Read the rest of this entry »Ubud, city of art and culture in Bali, Indonesia
Ubud is a leisurely city of beautiful architecture, wonderful restaurants, terrific museums, and magnificent evening dance and culture shows. The city and her people have served as twin muses for several generations of painters, Balinese and expat alike. Walking around the city provides WoWasis visitors a seemingly endless series of interesting moments, and the outlying […]
Read the rest of this entry »Thailand’s Hill Tribes
Approximately 500,000 semi-nomadic tribespeople live in Thailand, comprising some 15-20 tribes. Each has its own culture, dress, language, customs, and belief system. Tribal culture crosses geo-political boundaries, and therefore each group will be known by several names, depending on the modern country in which they’re found, whether it be Thailand, Burma, China, Laos, or […]
Read the rest of this entry »Bang Fai rocket festival in Yasothon, Thailand
Like us here at WoWasis, if your idea of fun is a weekend of Isaan parades, music, drinking, and rocket launching, the Bun Bungfai Rocket Festival, held each year in Yasothon, is for you. Generally held on one of the first two weekends in May, the festival features dozens of teams launching thousands of home-crafted […]
Read the rest of this entry »Jumbo Queen beauty contest in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
If the size of a beauty contest can be measured by the accumulated weight of all contestants, Thailand’s Jumbo Queen Contest is undoubtedly the world’s largest. Occurring each year on Thailand’s May 1 labor Day holiday, the contest matches the talent, beauty, and charm of some of the largest women in Thailand. To be eligible […]
Read the rest of this entry »Festivals by month in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai is the festival capital of Thailand. Every month, there’s a festival that’s fun, interesting, and should be an essential part of your Chiang Mai experience. Here’s what to look for in the yearly festival calendar: January What: Winter Fair When: December 30 through January 8 Note: This fair combines food, dance, music, and […]
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