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We wish them "all the happiness of
the world"
BLUE JADE has the pleasure to announce
the marriage of one of its oldest collaborators and so presents you some
wedding traditions in the various countries of the
THAILAND
Tradition is tradition. At the risk
to suppose to be a coward of our Western minds, the custom wants that is a
friend of the groom who demands the hand of his sweetheart. Long negotiations on the amount of money to offer to the
bride's family begin, formerly in remuneration to education which had been given to
her.
Guests: for that matter, they are all
another feature of Thai marriages: the huge number of guests. The actual
number is often the mystery, but it often seems that all have passed the word
to be of the party. It must be said that in
The procession
Tradition wants that the bridegroom and his family go in
procession to the bride's house, bringing food and gifts, to the sound of
ritual song called "Ram Vong Klong Yao".
The religious ceremony
Thai
marriage is a religious ceremony. The couples ask the blessing of the monks at
the local temple before marriage. Generally, they ask the monks their horoscope
and auspicious day for marriage. 9 Buddhist monks participate in a religious
ceremony. They are sitting on small cushions of straw and trays before them. The
traditional Thai wedding begins with the reverence of the couple before a
Buddha image. They recite together the songs of Buddhist prayer before lighting
incense and candles in front the image. In certain provinces, parents of the future
bridegrooms join them in marriage by placing on the head of each of them a cordon
in a form of crown connected between them, to symbolize the link which unites
them. This sacred thread connects the man’s head to the woman’s head and
surrounds the hands of monks. The monks began the prayer in Pali, with the
intention to transmit the alms and blessing to the couple using the cord.
Later, the monk leader will connect it to the container of water to keep it
holy. The monks also bless the congregation. The celebration starts early, around
6am and ended around
A marriage sewn with white
thread …
The bride and groom kneel on
a small pedestal, out of the House. While an old and wise man provides them
advice and good words, guests tie their wrists of white thread and pour on
their hands a shell filled with holy water. Then the bridegrooms pull each of
their side until the thread breaks. Whoever has the longest part is considered as
one who loves more than the other.
The bride, white or traditional dress
Today, after the marriage
which takes place in traditional clothes, evening reception is held in Western
dresses. Thai women get married in white and men in costume.
The "Bai Sri" tree
Custom of Indian origin, a tree in
leaves of bananas, made by friends and neighbors and called "BaI Sri"
is offered to the couple. Its form reminds the mythical ""
Evening party
Marriage party is held the evening.
Frequently, 7 dishes and a dessert are served. Thai weddings are usually lavish
and nothing misses to guests. The couple moves from table to table and thanks
the guests by a warm "Wai" (Thai greeting). Guests offer beer to the
husband. This one just tastes it, not to be drunk.
What's new
in
The Thai Airways
Airbus A380 took off
On March 6th, the first Airbus A380 for the Thai Airways
International airline took off from
Direct flights from
Bangkok to Lampang with Bangkok Airways
From March 25th, Bangkok Airways has set up 12 weekly direct flights
to connect Bangkok to Lampang, the third largest city in northern Thailand,
famous for its exotic temples, its carriages and its classified sites. The
stopover at Sukhothai will henceforth be avoided. The airline has also
strengthened its existing routes
Code share
agreement between Silkair and
SilkAir and Bangkok Airways have signed an agreement of codeshare on selected
flights between
New line
Phitsanuloke / Chiang Mai with Nok Air
Nok Air has launched a new domestic route between Phitsanulok and Chiang Mai,
with an additional flight in the morning. It increases the daily frequency
between the two destinations. The flight leaves
Birth of a
big baby named HA HA
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Of Brahman origin, this ancient ritual takes place at Sanam Luang, the royal place
of Bangkok
Rockets festival to Yasothon
(Northeast)
To ensure abundant rain for a good rice harvest and to invoke Phaya Thaen, the
God of rain, the villagers are building giant rockets (up to
Siam Niramit
opens in Phuket
After
six years of show in
š
MYANMAR
An important date
Astrology
plays a vital role in the decision of marriage. The astrologer is always
consulted on the compatibility of the day of birth and planets of the future
couple and about the most favorable days to the union. Proverbs don’t fail to
warn against incompatibilities "girl of Friday shouldn’t marry with a boy
of Monday, she would make it, and everybody would regret it, because what is
left of life would soon vanish."
Beautiful clothes
On
this day of matrimony, it's a custom for the bride's family: parents, brothers
and sisters, are dressed in the finest clothes and bedeck with the best
jewelleries they can afford.
With her hip-length jacket….long-length silk or satin “Htain-me-Thein”, the
bride looks somewhat like a princess of the
The ceremony
Guests are greeted with music. The Master of Ceremony,
the person who will consecrate the marriage is now announcing the beginning of
the ceremony. Praises are read to the brides
and their families as well as blessings for their future lives of bride. A
singer will then begin to sing the classical auspicious song, praising the occasion
and the participants.
A woman with flowers dips her hands into the silver
she cradles and scatters flowers in front of the couple who enters the room to
wish them good omen for their long life as husband and wife. This is the moment
everyone is waiting ... The couple entered the ceremonial hall, in the presence
of witnesses followed by their parents. Before joining the place of ceremony,
they turn to the guests and with joined hands, they make their homage with the
head down. In ancient times, an exchange of garland of flowers was the custom
of
The "gei-bo"
After the
wedding ceremony, when the married couple arrives home, they present their respects
to the parents of both sides, according to Buddhist traditions, and in turn are
blessed by their parents. The "gei-bo" negotiation begins once the
couple tries to enter in their bride chamber which is then blocked by rows of
friends and family, holding gold chains to ask for "gei-bo", which is
spending money. A large negotiation, sometimes very noisy, follows until both
parties agree on an amount.
What's new
in
Visakha Bucha in Myanmar
On May 5th 2012, the month
of Kason in
Beach Hotels close for
rainy season
We
would like to remind you that hotels in Ngapali and Ngwe Saung are closed
during the monsoon months from May to September. During this period heavy rains
occur along the coastline of
Condor
Airlines returns to
German
charter airline, Condor Airlines, will resume flights to
š
LAOS
In
A man and a
woman must marry to live together as married. To request the hand of a girl to
his future stepfather, the tradition and the traditional way differ from one
region to another. But the base is the same for everyone. When a boy and a girl
are in love and want to marry, it’s always the boy who must approach. He sends
his parents to meet those of the girl. These are parents who ask for him. If
the girl's parents agree, they can immediately discuss the sum of dowry that
the boy must pay the wedding day. They may fix another day to discuss it. There
are cases where girl's parents don’t want the boy, they can ask a very (too) large
sum which means their refusal.
Festivities which last
several days
The Laotians respect
the Buddhist calendar that indicates that the best time to marry is in the
period before Lent, before the rainy season. Weddings are always time of important
holiday. The festivities last for several days and consist of a religious
intimate ceremony and a kind of popular ball. In the past, the evening before,
young boys and young girls competed during course of love. Assisted by his
friends, the singer proclaimed his love for the girl sitting in front of him.
In turn, the young girl supported by her friends answered him with maliciously
teasing. Punctuated by the melodious sound of the Khène, this love game ends at
dawn. This tradition still continues in some areas.
The ceremony
The ceremony is
always held in the future bride’s home. Before the event, so the wedding day,
is held a sort of small party the night at the bride’s home where we sing and
dance. It’s called "Oune dong" (heating). The wedding day, the future
young bridegroom dresses in traditional costume and leaves his home in front of
the procession consisting of his parents, cousins and friends. We
walk by singing all the way to the home of the
bride.
After reciting few words in
"pali", the Buddhism language, bride and groom take a cup where are
deposited the small bouquets of flowers. The priest blessed them, and then the
couple offers it to their parents to show their respect. The man takes then two
white, fine and long lines. He holds one side of it, while the couple takes the
other side. After having recited a text, he surrounds it around the wrist of
each married. These cords are a symbol of their union and through them, all the
evil that is in them left their bodies to let the place to the good.
The legend
The legend says
that lovers are predestined according to the “nène” (love karma). In the sky,
there is a wonderful garden where each individual has a tree whose branches
embrace those of the soul mate. When the time is arrived, the predestined
couple is sent on Earth, the wrists bound by a cotton thread but "wind of
scissors that break and wind of the knife that cut" separates the future spouses
who will born on their own side. Throughout his life, the individual will try
to find his or her predestined partner. In fact, the choice of a spouse is
often family choose. Sometimes a misalliance can bring the isolation of the
lovers. Today, in major cities, young people have more and more freedom on
their love life which is not yet the case in the countryside.
What's new
in
Lao Airlines, in
cooperation with Bangkok Airway, introduces the Discovery Airpass Programme
that has a minimum of three and maximum of six segments, domestic and/or
international. In a related development, Lao Airlines introduces a three times
weekly flight from Luang Prabang to Jinghong, which is the capital of
More information in our
web site: www.laos-airlines.net
May 1s
May 1st is of
course a day off in
Boun Visakhaboucha in Laos
Visakha Bouça, Buddha’s anniversary,
is celebrated on the full moon of May, on May 5th 2012, with
processions with lanterns in temples. It’s a Buddhist holiday that commemorates
the birth of the Buddha, his awareness and his attainment of nirvana.
š
VIETNAM
Marriage is very important in
Traditionally
The day of the wedding, the groom and
his family bring in the family of the bride gifts wrapped in red paper put on
trays carried by different people carefully selected (often married couples, again
to bring luck). All women with these gifts are dressed of an "Ao
Dai", the traditional long dress. Some men may also wear an Ao Dai, but in
general they wear a costume-tie. These donations are still the same as those of
the ceremony of betrothal: leaves of betel and areca, wines, fruits, cakes,
tea.
The groom's family stops in front of
the house of the bride and the couple must enter the house in first bearing a
tray with cups filled with wine. The couple then invites parents to take a sip.
By agreeing to drink, the bride's parents agree to admit the boy's family in
their home. Simultaneously, the fireworks are fired to welcome them. The boy's family comes
and asks permission to the other family to marry their daughter.
The ceremony
The wedding ceremony begins in front
of the altar of ancestors. The couple kneels and prays, asking to their
ancestors the permission and their blessing. Then the couple turns and bows to
their parents to thank them for having raised them and protect them until
today. The master of ceremonies then gives them many tips on "how to
maintain a happy family". The bridegrooms’ parents then turn to them to
share them their experiences, their lived and give them their blessing. The
groom and the bride then exchange alliances. The parents exchange more valuable
gifts such as bracelets, earrings, necklaces. The ceremony then ends with applause.
Today...
Today, many marriages take place in
temples or Western churches. However, the Vietnamese still maintain traditional
Vietnamese ceremony in the house of the bride (as explained above) before going
to the temple. A wedding banquet is held in the evening in a restaurant or in a
large room. It’s always a giant party with all the family, friends, neighbors,
.with eventually a music group paid to embellish this beautiful evening. During
the reception, the bridegrooms and their families stop to every tables to thank
guests. Guests in return give them envelopes containing a greeting card and
money (money is the wedding gift) for the new couple. In
some weddings, receptions are followed by a dance opened by the new spouses.
What's new
in
Anniversary of Buddha
May 28th, lanterns
illuminate pagodas, houses and processions to celebrate Buddha's
birthday. Since its introduction in
Bach Dang holiday
(Quang Ninh province)
It’s the biggest party in the country
on May 3rd. Many leaders of the country are also attending this
event. Representation of the exercises of the soldiers of the Tran dynasty,
rites of sacrifice, procession of the Tran Hung Dao statue, traditional day of
swimming, traditional wrestling or chess games with human pawns are on the
program.
Ba Chua Xu Festival to Chau Doc
Also known as the ceremony of Via Ba, this festival in
the colors of Vietnam South
presents may 13th to 17th 2012 many traditional cultural
activities. Procession and offerings are also part of the ceremonial.
Halong's
tourist boats to be painted white
The authorities of
Quang Ninh province have officially confirmed that all tourist boats in
An official from the
local Department of Transportation said that this measure aimed to strengthen
state management over tourist transport activities in
Good news for bird
watcher and nature lovers.
Buon Ma
Thuot airport's new terminal
The new terminal at
Buon Ma Thuot Airport, a major central highland province, was inaugurated in
December 2011. Built following the
š
Formerly, marriages lasted 3 days and 3 nights, it was
the three jewels of Buddhism. But today, this tradition fades and the ceremony
takes place in one day.
The welcome
At 6:
Upon arrival in the girl’s
home, a married couple representing the boy asks to meet with the married
couple representing the girl. Traditionally these two couples serve as a model.
During this meeting, the future bride and groom do nothing for fear of
triggering the bad fate. Some time after, the groom, accompanied by groomsmen, go
in a room done the day before. All settled on a mat placed in the centre of the
room. Men are joined by the bride and bridesmaids. When parents enter the room,
the new couple bows and puts their hands on a cousin in salvation and respect.
At the welcoming ceremony, gifts are put in front of the bride and groom. There
are clothes, decorative objects, but also parts of gold and diamonds.
Cutting hair
This ritual marks the divine presence at the ceremony. Indeed, a musician-boy and a
musician-girl represent a couple of angels. Their mission is to cut a lock of hair to
each of the engaged couple to purify
them of impurities accumulated
before the union. Then parents
and family members will also
gesture this action.
Take away
evil spirits
Engaged couples enter the next room. There
is a well-garnished buffet, candles and incense. Everything is set up to
honor ancestors. The bride and
groom sit side by side on a mat and are
joined by seven married couples. These couples serve as a barrier and prevent evil spirits to
approach the new couple. When
everyone is installed, a Buddhist
representative recites a prayer
and passed candles
to each.
The religious ceremony
In
The reception
The stress
of the ceremony being over, place to relax! A great meal is offered and served
to guests in the annex built the day before. Fun, as lack of space in
What's new
in
Genocide Day
On May 9th 2012, tribute
is paid to the memory of the many victims of the Red Khmer. The most poignant
ceremony is held at the Choeung Ek Memorial, near
Sieam Reap temples closing
Apsara Authority has
announced that Vat Athvea and Bak Sey Cham Krong temples are now on ongoing
refection works. Both temples are closed to the public until further notice.
Sihamoni King Anniversary
On the banks of the River Tonle Sap
(a tributary of the
š
The 2012 Agenda:
A sample of festival to see through
Southeast Asia
Royal
ploughing ceremony: May 9th in
Party rocket: Mid-May to Yasothon (northeast)
Visakha Puja: Full moon in May
Anniversary of her
Majesty the Queen: August 12th
"King's cup 2012 "
Tournament of Polo on elephant : from September 5th to 11th, on a land
adjacent to Anantara Hua Hin Resort and Spa
Ok Phansa and Thot Kathin: October
Regattas: October to Thot Kathin, Nan, Phichit, Surat Thani, Nakhon
Phanom, Pathumthani.
Loy Krathong : full moon in November
Elephant day to Surin : third weekend of November
Week of the River Kwai bridge : Late November - early
December
Anniversary of his Majesty the King: December 5th
Makha
Puja: Full
moon of February
Songkran (Thai New Year): April
Anniversary of Sihamoni King: May 14th
Norodom Sihanouk King Anniversary:
October 31st 2012
Independence Day: on November 9th 2012
TET FIESTA (Chinese or
Vietnamese New Year): February
Khmer New Year (Bon Chaul Chhnam): April
Fang Mae Khong Festival in
National holiday (Vanh Saad): December 2nd 2012
TET FIESTA (Chinese or
Vietnamese New Year): February
Wat Phou to Champassak: February
Lao Elephant Festival in Paklay District (
Magha Puja (Makha Bouça) to Luang Prabang: February
Pii may or Pimai (Buddhist New Year): April
Nat Pwe Festival in Taungbyon and Amarāpura (
Great celebration of the Phaung-Daw U at
Thidingyut Festival (lights Festival): from October 11th to 13th
2012
The elephants Dance Festival to Kyaukse (
Hot Air Balloon Festival in Taunggyi: from November 4th to 10th
2012
Tazaungdaing Festival: from November 9th to 10th 2012
Pagoda
festival to Kyaik-Hti-Yo (at the Golden Rock): on November 10th 2012
Pyatha (Independence Day): January 4th 2013
The
Tabodwe (feast of the
Festival of Pwe Paya Baw - gyo to Thipaw: March
Kakku (Kekku) Pagoda Festival in Taunggyi: March
Thanakha Grinding Festival in
Thingyan (water Festival) Festival: April
Bach Dang festival (Quang Ninh
province): may 11th 2012
Buddha Anniversary: May 17th 2012
Ba Chua Xu Festival to Chau Doc: from may 25th to 29th
2012
Quang Lan Party (Bac Ninh province): July 18th 2012
National holiday: September 2nd 2012
The mid-fall day (children's day): September 12th 2012
The Tran temple festival at Nam Dinh: from September 12th to 17th
2012
The double nine to
Da Sy festival around
Feast of Hội in Lim (Bac Ninh province): February
Feast of the
Quam An festival in Da Nang: February
Chua Huong (perfume Pagoda Festival) to Huong Son: March
Hội An anglers Festival: March
Thay Pagoda Festival (Province of Ha
Van Vi village festival (
Truong Yen Festival (Ninh Binh province): April 2012
Ba Giang kites Festival (
All dates listed are subject to
change