Posts Tagged ‘thailand’
Scouting, Thai Style
I am going to be timely with this blog, for a change. Yesterday I visited my friend and co-teacher Sam’s high school where he teaches English (Sam is the only adult you will see in the photos). I was lucky enough to be there on Scout Day when the entire day at school is devoted to “scouting” activities. Scouting was founded in Thailand in 1911 when King Rama VI brought the idea of scouting back from Britain where he had studied. Thailand was even among the charter members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1922.
Here in Thailand, the Scouts are an integral part of the public schools; they even wear their uniforms to school once a week. On this annual Scout Day, the students take a 6km hike and cook their own meals (life skills) over open fires, which they have to build themselves. Sound familiar to all you former Scouts and Campfire people? I had great fun moving among the various groups, practicing my Thai and taking photographs. I was impressed with how well everyone got along and the teamwork exhibited. However, the best part was the taste testing. Great!!!! I was so busy eating all this amazing food, I only got a few shots of the dishes. Sorry. One of the best reasons for living in Thailand is the food – even the youth are amazing cooks.
Love At The Beach
For weeks now we have been seeing posters along the roadside with the English words “love at the beach” but everything else written in Thai. What? Yesterday we found out what was going on, Valentine’s Day weddings on our beach. I was out for my early morning bicycle ride when I realized what was going to happen, so I turned around and headed home for my camera. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to do another photo essay for you. I arrived at the beach early enough to watch as the workers prepared the beach with an aisle, hut for paper signing, and four different photo-op scenes all made with real flowers. I thought the area looked stunning.
The Thai equivalent of our Madison Avenue has done a great job convincing Thailand to buy into Western commercial celebrations; in this case lots of money to be made on chocolates, flowers, cards, and pink. Yes, pink is the color of choice when it comes to decorating and dressing up for Valentine’s Day. It was also a great PR and photo opportunity – the mayor opened the religious side of the event and signed each certificate, the governor gave a speech and handed each couple the bride’s flower bouquet with his best wishes.
I had great fun photographing the beach both with and without people; I hope you enjoy seeing this Thai take on Valentine’s Day romance. (Don’t forget, if you click on a thumbnail photo it will take you a larger format with which to cruise through the images.)
Jane Estes
John and Jane in Thailand 