Salaween.blog

A travel journal through culture and history. – blogging since 2014

Catégorie : english text

  • A Monk Ordination

    On January 5, 2025, I am invited to attend a Buddhist monk ordination. I have witnessed ordinations before, but this is the first time I will be participating from start to finish as an invited guest, rather than just a passing spectator. It is a great honor for me. Dr. Kenneth, a professor at Payap…

  • The Chiang Mai Pilgrimage: An Interfaith Walk

    On the morning of January 8, 2025, the air is crisp in Chiang Mai. We gather in front of the Gymkhana Club. One by one, the participants arrive—former students, teachers, and members of local communities—all ready to embark on this unique walk. The idea is simple: to connect different places of worship on foot, creating…

  • The Legend of the Khun Tan Orchid

    A story in 6 chapters that I crafted while strolling along the paths leading to the summit of Khun Tan. I drew inspiration from actual historical events. All mentioned characters were real individuals (except for the opium-loving reverend, a creation of my imagination). Chapter 1: Khun Tan Station and the Pierced Mountain Our tale commences…

  • The Legend of the Elephant, Protector of Lepers.

    Here is a legend that I invented based on the history of the McKean Center in Chiang Mai. It’s a short story in three parts. PART ONEIt all begins with a mad elephant… Once upon a time, in the distant land of Chiang Mai, there was a creature unlike any other: an elephant with the…

  • Leper Island

    In this text, I talk about the river island of Koh Klang, located a few kilometers south of the city of Chiang Mai. In the heart of the Northern Thai mountains, an unexpected story emerges from the meanders of the Ping River south of Chiang Mai—the story of the leper asylum, founded in 1908 by…

  • The artisans of monk bowls

    Let’s explore the alleyways of old Bangkok, where the artisan community of Ban Bat resides. In this neighborhood, artisans uphold a centuries-old tradition by handcrafting the iconic monk bowls. These bowls, utilized by Buddhist monks to receive food offerings, embody the elegance of traditional craftsmanship in Bangkok. The Morning Alms Walk with Monks Every morning,…