Posted 2005-04-29 21:21:47
Thomas_Merton, on 2005-04-28 22:48:26, said: How many of us are attracted to Thailand because Thai culture is greatly influenced by such works as this:
How to be a good Thai Wife (Supasit Sorn Ying) written by Sunthorn Phu. This translation was written by Denis Segaller in his excellent "More Thai Ways" book
"If your husband loves you, don't be stubborn; honour him every day; do not
be wilful. When it gets dark, you should not stray away<snip>
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I don't know about the rest of you, but this didn't go down too well in my household:
"What do you think it is, 2000 years ago?
"We're not slaves, you know...."
Edited by mgnewman, 2005-04-29 21:22:39.
Posted 2005-04-29 21:38:48
Those limericks are callous and crude,
their morals are distressingly lewd,
they are not worth the reading ,
by persons of breeding;
they're designed for those vulgar and rude! ..
Posted 2005-04-29 21:43:40
Quote .....dishes to give a beautiful effect, along with the spittoon,
polished and shining. Make sure no dust is in the drinking water........
anybody know the thai for
"spitoon , polished and shining"
Posted 2005-04-29 22:17:26
Thomas_Merton, on 2005-04-29 20:35:40, said: alex100, on 2005-04-29 13:00:00, said: I have just made this up can someone complete the last line:
I came to Thailand to get dead rich,
All I got was a grabbing bitch,
Now I'm at home in she's in heaven,
------------------------------------------
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
With only the girl from the 7 11
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Posted 2005-04-30 14:44:41
Sunthorn Phu also wrote advice for gentlemen, which has had an important influence on Thai culture.
Most of this translation has come from a book called "Essay on Thai Folklore"
by Phya Anuman Rajadhon.
How to be a Thai Gentleman by Sunthorn Phu
"Early in the morning, after getting out of bed, you must refrain from anger
and touchiness. Turning your face towards the East and South, you must pronounce
three times an incantation according to the Buddhist formula over the water for
washing your face. After washing your face with the water, the first word or
sentence to be uttered ought to be nice and good. It will increase and enhance
your noble dignity. For splendour which upholds a man's chacrateristic
properties resides in your face in the morning. During the day, the splendour
resides in your body. You must take a bath and sprinkle your body with scented
water. By observing this, you will be healthy and happy. During the evening, the
splendour resides at both feet. You must wash your feet. No woman's foot is
allowed to be placed over yours.
"When eating food, if you are facing East you will have power and long life.
If facing South, you will be beloved by everyone. If facing West you will be
happy and healthy, your sufferings, if any, will be decreased, you will have
honour and dignity. If facing North, you will meet with ill-luck; your life span
will be shortened year by year.
"While sitting, you must not look downward nor spit. Such an act will spoil
your dignity. Facing the North on such occasion is good and keeps you immune
from evil spirits and the dark arts. Then wash your face. It will become bright
and clear. Before going out, first take a bath and sprinkle your face and body
with scented water. Victory will be with you.
"You must not allow your wife to sleep upon your arm (as a pillow for her
head), and always wash yourself after sleeping. Fortune will smile, driving away
mishaps. Washing your nails on Monday and Wednesday prevents all accursed things
coming into contact.
"When going to war, the garments to be donned each day during the seven days
of the week are to be of seven colours;
Sunday, Red is auspicious
Monday, Light yellow is to have a long life
Tuesday, Purple is lucky
Wednesday, Yellow-red or glittering multi-coloured
Thursday, Yellow-green
Friday, Blueish-gray
Saturday, Black is a terror to the enemy.
"The colour of war steeds ought to be also identical with that of the
day.
"In taking a bath at a riverside or stream, you should face the direction of
the running water. The voiding of nature is prohibited. Do not face against the
running water for you may accidentally be the victim of the black arts. After a
bath, always pay respect to Ganga, the Water Goddess.
"The knowledge of magical arts is good, and incantations ought always to be
recited every evening. They will become potent and effective against enemies and
increase your dignity and power. When a dog continues to bark and howl, do not
say harsh words against it. For such a speech will spoil your word. Do not spit
while there is a wind. If the saliva falls on any animal, then the mantra or
mystic spell will become impotent.
"When meeting a monk and paying no customary respect due to him, your dignity
will be weakened. Do not abuse the sun, wind or rain. Do not hasten the day to
come to an end. Pay respect every daybreak and dusk to the sun and the moon.
When getting into bed do not fail to make obeisance on the pillow (with one's
hands in salutation) to one's parents and preceptors, extolling their graces and
virtues.
"If, when wearing a phanung or loin-cloth after twisting its two ends
together in front, one end is tucked finally on the right side, you will be free
from harm of the teeth and claws of crocodiles and other ferocious animals. Do
not pass under a bridge across a creek or canal, a trellis supporting climbing
plants, a wooden prop of a house, or a fence of animal enclosure. Whoever passes
under such things will lose his splendour and dignity and his mantra and magical
incantations will become impotent, defeating their own ends.
"When seeing a corpse while going out, do not make a remark. It is very
unlucky to do so. You must wash your face as a counter act. Do not sleep with
your charms and amulets. They will be impaired of their magical properties. Do
not step over weapons. Do not lie on the left side of a woman, for harm will
come to you. On New Year's Day, Sat Day (Mid-Year Feast), a day when there is an
eclipse either of the sun or the moon, the lenten full moon day, and your own
birthday, sexual intercourse is prohibited. For your age will be shortened. To
sleep with a woman during her menstruation, if you do not die, you will lose
your eyesight and have a boil full of pus. On your birthday, do not kill any
animal. Your life will be shortened and you will lose your glory and dignity.
You will also suffer from sickness and pain.
"While sleeping, if your inspiration and expiration flow easily in and out of
both nostrils, do not put your left foot over the right one. If the air flows
freely in the right nostril only, the right foot must be placed on the left one.
It is very auspicious to observe the rule. While walking, sleeping or sitting,
if a crashing or creaking sound is heard, it is prohibited to make a remark. The
noise may be produced by magical art or evil spirits which can harm one if one
makes a remark."
Although much of this is not so relevant today, the older generation still believe in its value.
Posted 2005-04-30 18:09:38
Sunthorn Phu was a habitual drunkard and a womaniser. So much so that he was booted out of the Royal Court sporadically.
As drunks do when forced away from their loved ones he became morose and bitter hence his gloomy nostalgic yet linguistically stunning poetry.
Sounds like an average bloke to me..............
Posted 2005-04-30 18:43:59
ProfessorFart, on 2005-04-30 12:09:38, said: Sunthorn Phu was a habitual drunkard and a womaniser. So much so that he was booted out of the Royal Court sporadically.
As drunks do when forced away from their loved ones he became morose and bitter hence his gloomy nostalgic yet linguistically stunning poetry.
Sounds like an average bloke to me..............
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
...and therefore no better choice as TV's Poet Laureate.
We may be drunk,
But we are also honey-drunk with love.
I cannot resist my heart.
And though we are drunk,
Tomorrow the sun will shine,
And that drunkenness will have passed.
But when night falls, love's honeyed drunkenness will return.
Edited by Thomas_Merton, 2005-04-30 18:45:34.
Posted 2005-04-30 19:21:11
OK, seeing as my own poetry has been rejected I second the motion!
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