23rd October: Chulalongkorn Day

"Chulalongkorn Day" or "Piyamaharaj Day", which we say in Thai, is celebrated on 23rd October of every year. It is the day that our King Chulalongkorn, or King Rama V, died. He is one of our most important kings in the past. The most important thing he did is abolish slavery but he also did many other reforms in order to modernize the country.

King Chulalongkorn (Phra Chulachom Klao Chaoyuhua or RamaV) succeeded to the throne at the death of his father, King Mongkut (or Phra Chom Klao). He was born on September 20, 1853 the first son of Queen Ramphai Pamarapirom (Thepsirindra) and the 9th surviving son of King Mongkut. King Rama V ascended the Throne in 1868 at the age of 15, with Chao Phraya Sri Suriyawongse as Regent.

King Rama V's long reign of 42-years was a busy era of full-scale reform and the emergence of Thailand into the modern age. He learned the systems of Western Governments, made friends with major powers such as Britain, France, America and Russia and sent the royal children to be educated in the West. It seems he was prepared to learn from the West while at the same time, resisting domination by the major powers. Above all, he was the first Thai monarch who traveled widely: to neighboring countries in Asia and to Europe twice. Wherever he went, he was impressed by the hospitality and respect shown to him by the Royalty of the various countries.

The King's reforms, which involved almost every aspect of Thai life, included the abolition of slavery, the expansion of the communication system through the construction of railways, the establishment of post and telegraph services and the creation of a ministerial system in 1892. In addition, the King also established a variety of public utilities, particularly in the fields of health and education. Unfortunately, world events at that time did not allow him to proceed smoothly with his administrative reform as it coincided with the age of colonialism. The King, therefore, had to adapt his foreign policy to maintain a balance between the contending powers. He fostered friendly relations with all powers and avoided confrontation. In the last period of his reign, the country lost a lot of land to France. Thus, at the time of crisis, even though Thailand had to sacrifice some of her territories, she was able to keep her independence.

King Chulalongkorn wanted to make the people less subservient, thus, in 1873 after the coronation, he proclaimed that prostration in front of the king was to be abolished. Later, in 1905 he abolished slavery. This slave abolition was the most important royal contribution. The Slave Act was passed by King Rama V in 1905 to prohibit slave-trade. The King traveled extensively throughout the kingdom to personally investigate and share his subjects' conditions and aspirations, often known in Thai as "Prapasstion". It is very difficult to mention all of his numerous reforms. All the present-day ministries and departments owe their origin of his far-sighted concepts.

His death on October 23, 1910 was a great loss to the entire nation as he was one of the most honored and beloved kings who was often called "Somdej Phra Piyamaharaj". Moreover, Thai people also believed in the King's miraculous power of bringing good luck and prosperity to the person who pays respect to him. Thus, the King's picture is found in almost every house. Thai people from all walks of life lay wreaths at his equestrian statue at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok and his statues in the provinces.

October: Buffalo Racing in Chonburi

The jockey rides bareback astride the water buffalo's rump, slaps him with a switch and bumps along on his sprinting steed down a 130-meter (427-foot) strip. That's if the buffalo cooperates.

Other buffaloes, perhaps happier wallowing around muddy rice fields than stampeding down a race track, kick their hoofs in the dirt at the starting line or buck their riders before they reach the finish.

All the while, a joking announcer excitedly narrates the spectacle, poking fun at the lads who can't stay aboard their hurtling beasts.

Thousands of people Sunday flock to this entertainment in downtown Chonburi, 70 kilometers (44 miles) south of Bangkok, at the annual water buffalo festival.

The day's events, which also includes a buffalo beauty pageant, a Miss Farmer beauty contest and a comic buffalo costume contest, perfectly exemplified a favored Thai attitude to life - "sanuk," meaning fun.

Adul Boran, a 39-year-old water buffalo jockey, has been racing for 28 years for the good times associated with the unorthodox sport. "I don't get paid for it, but my friends and I get together three days a week to train with our buffaloes just for fun," he said.

The festival was started as a social event for farmers who gathered from around the country in Chonburi to trade their goods. "In the olden days, we used to race on farm buffaloes," said Bang Supapon, 75, who raced for 20 years until the 1970s. "It would teach them to work faster in the fields."

Later, farm work was mechanized, he said, but the buffalo-running tradition continued. Now the buffaloes don't have the extra burden of field labor. "We raise the buffaloes just to race them. They don't work at all," said Boonyeun Chamchap, as she stood under a tent with her five racing animals to shield them from the scorching sun.

"Our fastest one cost us 80,000 baht (US$1,800). We definitely don't get our money's worth, but we have a great time racing them," she said.

The day's grand prize is 5,000 baht (US$114), while runners-up win farm equipment.

Boonyeun, who also has buffaloes tilling the family sugar cane fields, said farm buffaloes are much bigger than the racers because of the strenuous work they must perform. "None of the buffaloes that race are farm buffaloes," she said. "Nowadays, farm buffaloes are in the beauty pageant."

October: Vegetarian Festival

This annual auapicious event is a most colorful and dramatic celebration which takes place during the first nine days of the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. The 9-day event is usually in late September or early October.

The origin of the festival is unclear. However, it has been passed from generation to generation that it originated in the south-eastern part of China near Fujian Province. The festival was celebrated to make merit and save animals from being killed for food.

In Thailand, the most talked - about vegetarian festival is in Southern Province of Phuket where the auspicious ceremony is held in a grand celebration. During the 9-day period, the devout Chinese Buddhists dress in white attire, convert to vegetarians and observe the ten rules in order to purify their minds and bodies.

Besides a strict vegetarian diet and temple offering, some highlights of the 9-day event include incredible acts of self -mortification such as climbing knife - blade ladders, walking on hot coals, a ritual of bridge - crossing and a street - procession in which the mediums in a state of trance have their cheeks pierced and bodies spiked with various types of sharp objects.

The entire atmosphere is full of religious frenzy with the ear - spliting sound of firecrackers and lion dances. In the evening of the last day event, the main road of Phuket Town is turned into a path of din and smoke of firing crackers. All the local residents participate in the event. Visitors to Thailand should not miss an opportunity to visit Phuket during this auspicious event.