Category Archives: Traditions

ES TUT MIR LIED by Peter Nolan Smith

July 3, 2016 – 11:44 am

My high school German professor smoked cigarettes in the classroom. Ashes from his dying butts dropped onto his black cassock, as I read Kafta’s DAS URTEIL from a blue book. “Du sprechet wie Arschloch,” accused the toadlike brother with a tobacco-ravaged voice. “Jawohl, Bruder.” Spelling like an asshole was not good for my grades. Boston […]

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Maundy Thursday

March 23, 2016 – 9:52 am

Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday commemorates the last day of freedom for Jesus Christ. The Man from Nazareth spent his final hours of liberty with his apostles and at this Last Supper the Messiah predicts his betrayal. The date for Holy Thursday has been argued by scholars for centuries, but is generally conceded to have […]

By Peter | Also posted in religion | Tagged | Comments (0)

Loi Krathong Buzzkill in Pattaya

November 21, 2015 – 4:41 am

The Thai Festival of Loi Krathong is celebrated every year on the full moon of the 12th lunar month. Millions of Thais flock to rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs, and the sea to launch a Krathong as a sign of respect to Ganga, the river goddess. Up north in Chiang Mai Khon loi or fire lanterns […]

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Loy Krathong the Day After

November 21, 2015 – 3:49 am

Loi Krathong has long been Thailand’s most beautiful festival. Not anymore in Pattaya. Few girls and women were dressed in the traditional costume. The police banned fireworks. Their marine patrols gathered the krathong offerings less than 20 meters from shore. No one was allowed to light a fire balloon, perhaps the most exotic image to […]

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The Thai Etiquette Of Hands

April 21, 2015 – 10:32 am

When greeting a Thai male or female, a westerner will stick out his hand. The smiling Thai will offer a wilted bundle of fingers. The farang grasping this imitation of a dead octopus will mistake the weakness of the grip as an exhibition of effeminate behavior. They couldn’t be more wrong. Thai men are vicious […]

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