People had arrived early and made merit by giving alms (food) to some monks.
There were plenty of soldiers on hand to help with the clean up.
There were also Thailand’s finest there to help out as well.
The Thai locals were waiting for the Thai National Anthem to be played and the Thai flag raised.
The national anthem was sung with plenty of passion.
The Ubon governor hung a flower garland on the hand of the King Rama V statue.
These two men did the religious part of the ceremony.
The crowd watches on.
The candles are lit.
Incense is burnt and one stick is placed in each plate of food.
Some faces in the crowd. Many had their own brooms to help sweep the grounds and clean up the area.
The governor then scattered rice and flower petals around the royal monument or statue.
The holy men them use the holy water made earlier by the monks to scatter over people.
The clean up then started of the government offices grounds.
I spoke to many people and most were saddened about what had happened but when I asked if they were angry, most said, ‘no.’
I was speaking to one elderly lady and she had tears in her eyes as she spoke saying it was bad what had happened but now Thailand had to move on, this is what the ceremony was all about. Forget the past and move forward.
And most had this view, Lets get on with it and move forward and not dwell on the past as it cannot be changed.
I have to say that Thais are so much more forgiving then me, I for sure would hold a deep dislike for the people who did this and want them punished severely. But that is western think and not Buddhist thinking.
So Ubon Ratchathani seems to be on the repair. It has been very quiet at nights with the curfew and the red shirts seem to have disappeared underground maybe. Their radio stations were shut down and equipment seized and the owner and announcers arrested.
The following weeks and months will be interesting in how Thailand moves forward, how the Thai people unite. I know it is good to go to the market and not hear the red shirt propaganda blaring over he radios, it is so nice to have the chatter of people being the only thing you hear again now.
Brunty
10 comments:
Nice post, it's good to see after the bad news from last weeks. If i was there i certainly get the goosebumps when they play the national anthem.
My complements.
I went to 9 am Mass this morning at the Ubon Catholic Catheral. There, everyone prayed for peace and reconciliation in Thailand. I always find the Mass there very moving with a full choir from the local school and a congregation of 500-600 people. And they have 3 Masses every Sunday.
Excellent article in today’s Bangkok Post.
What I like about it, is that it uses Pridi (my Thai hero) as an example of what sort of person the REDS should have had as their leader.
The Wheel of Life turned at Ratchaprasong
Many sense something important is changing in Thailand. Actually it’s just repeating. If we understand what’s the same this time, and what differs, we can see more clearly the meaning of the present events
Published: 23/05/2010 at 01:30 AM
Online news: Investigative Report
Jeffrey Race is an expert in Southeast Asian history and politics and the author of ‘War Comes to Long An: Revolutionary Conflict in a Vietnamese Province’.
Hi Anon, it was goose bump material being there. Speaking to the people was equally emotional as many had tears when talking to you. You could sense they had been hurt but needed to move on.
Hey Michael, I hope all religions everywhere are praying for peace and reconciliation in Thailand. I just hope that these Buddhist sit down and have a good look at their own religion and the words of Buddha.
That is a big congregation, wow I am surprised there are this many Catholics, but again I am a little ignorant as I have never searched this out before. Are there many foreigners that attend mass?
I take it Pridi is Pridi Banomyong, The Father of Thai Democracy, and yes I am too with you at him being a great leader. I have only just read a lot about him the past 6 months. I have found what I can to read on this man as totally fascinating. I just wish I had more to read on this man.
I want to get my hands on Pridi by Pridi and will have to order the book. I know I wont find it in the library here in Ubon.
The only Michael I know in Ubon who writes so well and with obvious intelligence and knowledge and is a Catholic is a Dr. But this guy I heard doesn’t like me one bit and said some very interesting things about me. Months and months ago I was given the heads up by locals at a local expat bar there, that this doctor had said some interesting things about me.
Maybe it is a different Michael, but the chances or two intelligent catholic Michaels is hard to believe
Brunty
Hi,
regarding the last few months and especially the last week, I'm curious to find out; how the impact of Buddhist teaching is and or will impact the thinking of locals in Isaan.
For example, is the 'past' week forgotten due to the idea of living in the 'present'?
I'm a farang working and living in Bangkok.
Regards
Som, as I understand this is for sure.
Buddhism is about living now and the past is not important as it has happened and cannot be changed. So I suppose that Buddhists should forget and forgive what has happened and move on and live each day as Buddha had intended them to by his principals.
Thanks for the great post and wonderful pictures. I lived in Ubol fifty years ago and still return to be with the beautiful people there. Your post was most welcome, as it seems the same spirit of Isaan is still there.
I've been asking many friends in Isan what they think as you did. Not one has expressed anger about a building being burned. The vast majority of people I meet, including police, are red shirts. Most seem indifferent to the buildings being burned. Some don't agree, but more seem to just be indifferent. Nearly every one I talk to though is very concerned about the number of people that have died and I can't blame them. All you hear about in the Thai media this week is the effects on the economy, the damaged buildings and they hardly mention that 80+ people are dead. Go look at the front page of some of the online news sites. It takes effort to find an article about the dead, English or Thai. I want to see Thailand have peace, I want to see it change for the better so Isan people have more opportunity. I also think that the reason people aren't angry is because a burned building is nothing compared to dead family, friends and fellow Thais. Central World will be back in 6 months they've said. Many people will never be back.
I posted a comment yesterday Brunty.
I suggest we have dinner and few beers to discuss misunderstandings you have gathered from other sources.
Your own email never seems to response to my emails and I think I must have sent at least 10 over the last three months.
Yesterday I informed you about my getting a Thai ID. At the city council they laughed and said what I had now was the best of the best. The information I had received they said was false.
So I popped along to the Police station and for the mighty sum of 800 baht got another 5 year extension on my residency.
I believe we can discuss many things Brunty except football. I won't be watching the World Cup. Cricket yes, Rugby Yes, Football no.
Hi Lee, I am glad you enjoyed the pictures and the Isaan people are still amazing, the majority of them for sure.
Anon, many say they aren’t angry and just want to get on with it. Yes it is true, that buildings and so forth can always be rebuilt but a dead person cannot be brought back. It is sad that many lost their lives but if they weren’t in the area they would not have died. A catch 22 you could say.
Dr.M, a few beers always sounds good to me. I received an email from you for the first time about 4 days ago. You were emailing to another learned colleague of yours.
Getting false info in Thailand is hard to believe, wouldn’t happen often.
What a bargain, 800 baht for 5 years. Cheap as chips.
I can talk about many things, not all that sensibly though. Cricket, AFL, rugby league and union and of course the weather.
Take it easy Dr. and don’t work too hard in the hot Isaan sun.
Brunty
I shall enjoy a few cold ones Brunty.
Difficult in my line of work to not avoid the hot sun. In mid April I nearly ended up with heat stroke.
Yes, 800 baht for 5 years is cheap-no visa runs, no 90 day reporting in, no going to immigration except for reentry permits, Thai house residences permit etc etc. BUT it cost 96,000 baht to get!
Post a Comment