hookedondhamma

Looks similar to one i caught in the chant hall. They're fairly common in SE Asia, but I don't remember the specific name. The one I released was an adult but only a little bigger than my hand.

If you google owl species in Thailand you'll find it.

I was very surprised to learn from my Thai wife that Thai people do not think they look "Asian".

"we do not have eyes like Chinese, Japanese or other Asians,,we are different."

That's probably because Thais look 'Thai' to her. Paiboon was a clever man.

For the ops last question I'm not quite sure anymore.

The other day a thai was flipping channels and there were a group of ladies dancing. I immediately recognized them as korean. He said they were thai. Turns out it was k-pop show showcasing the latest k-pop groups.

Another time he said a muay thai boxer was thai when he turned out to be Lao.

I think as far as looks go there's nothing 100% as thais are mixed with other ethnic groups.

I agree with Morakots post.

Ok, but shouldn't one be able to perceive how their words will potentially hurt someone's feelings?

Must admit it does seem harsh but some Thai's are just brutally honest, you're too fat, too skiny etc. Don't think there's any malice meant, it's just they presume you will be aware of their observation. 99% of the time you are aware and they are right.

I wonder if they also go around being brutally honest and saying 'blue shirt' when someone wears a blue shirt or do they only do this when it comes to something which will be guaranteed to annoy someone else regardless of where they come from.

I think you know the answer, they do it to annoy people.

Kind of like the topic seen on here every once in a while about a small kid pointing out that someone is a foreigner (if it isn't obvious enough already).

Just a cultural thing.

What is with grumpy foreigners, non Buddhists, near hate for monks? Seems raw jealousy over their idealized kneejerk idea of monks' lives.

I think many enjoy looking at others more than themselves.

it's something I experienced in my home country as well, so it's probably global. The odd thing I see on thaivisa often is people giving their sound advice to something they've never experienced. It's kind of like reading a book on meditation then going to teach masses of people ... without having any direct hands-on experience.

There's also the common perception that monks are just bad in general, as they have no blue-collar job, etc. So I can see where some fly off the handle - however, it may help them to remember this is not their original culture or country.

whatever they can SLURP with loud noises without chewing is ok

however I do notice many thai monks smack their lips after swallowing a drink, which is also a breach of the training rules ... however this is one of those inherent things they learn from adults as children - and habits are difficult, almost impossible to cha ge if one doesn't make the effort to do so.

One of the mo ks I knew from a few years back also told me it is thai culture (smacking lips or slurping shows it's delicious ... whatever). Anyways this is an example of culture incorporating itself into Buddhism in Thailand.

Alot of times their habits are taken with them into their ordination, which is understandable (they don't become pristine in an hour), but it is a problem if it isn't tackled. A few years down the road some of these monks end up the example for the newer ordainees - they see so and so with hardly any restraint and thi k it's ok to be as such.

Which is why it's very important to observe the abbot and his temple for any nuances which can be detrimental to ones time in robes. Of course those on a short stint are a different case.

I don't think many westerners will ever get the way things work in thailand, let alone the different takes on Buddhism there are here. Some busybodies are so caught up, doing THE most with THE least.

It would just be easier to realize their sense of entitlement and privilege they had in their own countries doesn't apply here.

It's somewhat nice seeing thais not give a damn about what foreigners think, for the most part.

I remember meeting one of these foreign pundit nutters. It's one of the reasons thai temples rarely ordain foreigners. Unfortunate really, but the actions of one entitled foreigner block the road for others in the future who actually want to work on themselves from the inside out.

Someone give this man a sippy cup!

Never seen a vegetarian Wat, can you name a few?

I believe all Ajahn Chah related temples are vegetarian. The most famous of course is Wat Pah Nana Chat up near Udon Thani.. There is one I stayed at near Pak Chong, don't remember the name. All the civilian laity know they are vegetarian and only offer that type of food on alms rounds. veggies and fruits. There is also a American monk, who was a student of Ajahn Chah, who lives near Pak Chong, in a one man temple, been a monk going on 50 years, the last time I saw him, he was eating only rice and fruit. Ajahn Sumano. Look him up on google.

not necessarily. One of the branches in n. Ratchasima eats whatever is offered, and there has never been a day I've seen just vegetarian food. Also at the main branch in ubon this has been the case as well.

The times I've witnessed monks eating just vegetarian food has been rare. I'm sure those types of temples exist though.

At Wat Suan Mokkh I've never seen meat eaten, but this is at their International Retreats.

Never seen a vegetarian Wat, can you name a few?

I believe all Ajahn Chah related temples are vegetarian. The most famous of course is Wat Pah Nana Chat up near Udon Thani.. There is one I stayed at near Pak Chong, don't remember the name. All the civilian laity know they are vegetarian and only offer that type of food on alms rounds. veggies and fruits. There is also a American monk, who was a student of Ajahn Chah, who lives near Pak Chong, in a one man temple, been a monk going on 50 years, the last time I saw him, he was eating only rice and fruit. Ajahn Sumano. Look him up on google.

The times I've witnessed monks eating just vegetarian food has been rare. I'm sure those types of temples exist though.

Villages up in the hills are several degrees cooler than down in the valleys... all year round. They are mostly hill-tribes who are looked down upon by thais as second-class people. Although hard-working and not wasteful they are still poorer than the Thais and have less opportunities to work at good wages. The kids wear clothing out in a year so yes, they do need new each year.

Those who sit back and scoff about 'where has the last lot gone..' do not deserve the plenty they enjoy with their superior attitudes..... I feel sorry for them...and probably never donated a thing in their lives.

Your shitting me,,,Winter comes around every year,,,,No matter how much money you have or not you bloody cater for that,,When I was young in the Netherlands we had newspaper and cardboard on top of our bed and a coat that my Mam made from pieces of cut offs and left overs so that I kept warm to walk to school The temp went down sometimes for weeks on end from anything of 10C to 20C Below 0 . I even seen people sleeping under a layer of Hay or Straw, They don't know what winter is here in Thailand,They cry for help to easy, To bloody lazy to help them self.

I'm pretty sure you're aware this isn't the Netherlands. With hot weather being the norm it shouldn't be unfathomable that when cold weather arrives it can hit some of the Thai hard.

Of course they don't know what a winter is like... in the Netherlands. Are they living there?

Crying for help too easily? Too lazy to help themselves? Really, now?

He seems old for this, wouldn't he have done this before?  Or do Thais do it more than once in their lives in some cases?

I'm a Brit and was brought up with decent table manners and rule #1 is keep your mouth shut while masticating/chewing.

In certain situations I can't help myself but to say or do something if somebody nearby is chomping like an animal...

It's disgusting!

Plus who wants to see their food in their mouth which often falls out because they don't keep their lips closed!

Not me that's for sure!

It's a rotten animal behaviour that 90% of Asians practice because they've never been taught any better by their Neanderthal parents

I've actually dumped girlfriends because they can't learn to be civilised and eat like a human

I'm fortunate enough that my mrs comes from an educated family that have decorum and decent table manners

China is something else!

They go the full hog spit out back onto their plate the likes of bones etc...

There again, these are people that think it's normal to spit and pee in the streets!

neanderthal parents？really?

I've never noticed thais eating loud at all.

I have noticed though that many smack their lips after drinking a beverage (sometimes mulltiple times).

A while back one of my friends told me it meant whatever they drank was delicious. Whatever.

What is the US BIGGEST contribution to Thailand?? Probably Pattaya would be among them - they turned a tiny fishing village into the scum that is Walking street in 6 months and filled the bars with issan bar ladies - thanks for supporting us USA!! next time keep walking!!

that sure would be nice, wouldn't it? Turn back time, take the americans out and there would be no demands for bars with isaan bar ladies. Thailand surely would have no problems then. Excellent writing, love.

darn farangs and their ways!

What does this article have to do with human trafficking and military coups in Thailand which I think most people consider very, very bad things.

You see, thailand was called out on something they're good at (which is inherently dirty) - and with that the thai people (not all, though) feel ashamed and angry. So what else to do other than write an article which channels a tantrum?

She is probably in her lair writing an exciting part two to this 'article'.

Her honey colored skin reminded thais of Pocahontas.

Riiiiiiiiiiiight.

I guess native American is 'in'.

At the risk of continually repeating ourselves here on TVF, if Thailand wishes to compete on the world stage, it must comply by the rules set by the international community , not Thailand's rules , Thailand continually breaches international standards on all levels from People trafficking , refugee's, environmental, drug trafficking, international labour requirements etc, it is not good enough to apply Thai logic, this is not exceptable and it is time for Thailand to step up, be counted and show some maturity.

While I agree with you, a thought comes to mind. Why cannot Thailand do these things? China is doing many of these things and look what fine economic progress it is making.

Thai Foreign Ministry calls on EU Ambassador for talks

By Digital Content

http://t.co/R2Dl5KvVZU

Maybe a plate of papaya salad with shrimp will change those pesky farang!

I just came upon this, Fred.

I await the forseen comments as well, and the variations to them as well.

There's a good translation of the dhammapada stories in pdf in full form floating around on the Internet that I ran across a few years ago.

It analyzes the verses at the end of each story as well.

I remember the 1st story well, it's a staple amongst the pali studies monks.

That somehow just seems so wholly inappropriate . . . but then I'm not Thai so I guess I don't understand . . .

Pretty sure there are thai not too happy with this ... but really, who would speak up? Plus, I am sure the abbot is waiting for a multitude of 'likes' from facebook.

Thai monk nicknames by no means indicate the level of one's practice. Often times they are given by ones preceptor or by his followers.

And for the rest of your question, as much as this saying irks me, it applies here. This is Thailand, and there are many holes in the sangha here. If you are within this monks circle or that monks circle, you're pretty much invincible - that is, unless you cause a tremendous amount of thai to lose face. Even then action will be taken but only to tue extent of making others think something is being done - even if true action was taken he would still have followers.

I don't believe Buddhism is tarnished; I do believe there are many out there who have no sense of shame in their actions, and their pride is off the radar. This is what those who are not Buddhist cling on to as what is Buddhism, for the most part, it seems.

Even many monks are divided on this wannabe historical man. Even though his actions aren't proper for the rules he decided to undertake. This is the thai sangha.

His seniors couldn't disrobe him if he tried. He has too much support and followers who believe they are making merit through assisting him. Even those policemen performed a forgiveness ceremony after planting him with tear gas.

The lines are too blurred.