Category: Thai Culture

In Thai Buddhism, as with every religion, there are different levels of understanding, different schools of thought — and by this we don’t mean the difference between Theravada Buddhism (Thailand’s official religion) and Mahayana Buddhism, but rather the manner in which people approach sacred texts and iconography. The most profound interpretations of Buddhism in Thailand […]

The Thai-Chinese community in Thailand has long flourished in terms of business success and financial wealth. Although Thais with Chinese ancestry only make up 14% of the national population, nearly every province in Thailand has a capital city area with numerous Thai-Chinese merchants, whose work ethic is strong and business savvy is keen. However, the […]

In Thailand, the lotus flower is known as “bua” (บัว). It is a symbol of goodness, with a special relationship to Buddhism, the country’s national religion. According to legend, Jivaka Komarabhacca, the Buddha’s personal physician, prepared a concoction made of lotus flowers to cure the Buddha’s exhaustion after long meditation in the forest. Doctor Jivaka […]

The Mystery Snail, which is known in Thailand as Hoi Khom (หอยขม), Hoi Joop (หอยจุ๊บ) or Hoi Doot (หอยดูด) is the snail most commonly seen in Thailand. It is found near ponds, canals, and flooded rice fields during the rainy season. Mystery Snails are also called River Snails, Pond Snails, or Marsh Snails. Some have […]

The people of every country have a unique personality or character. The French are different from the Germans, and Germans different from the Italians. Japanese people are different from Koreans, and Koreans different from the Chinese. And so it goes all around the world. Of course, there is great diversity of personality among individuals in […]

The current Thai National Anthem was written in 1939 by Luang Saranupraphan (หลวงสารานุประพันธ์), who won a lyrics contest that was held when the Kingdom’s name was changed from Siam to Thailand (which literally means “Free Land” in Thai).  He submitted his winning lyrics on behalf of the Royal Thai Army. The lyrics for the anthem […]

Last time we talked about the controversial Thai dowry. Today, let’s discuss another aspect of Thai culture that causes consternation among foreigners who work and live in Thailand. That is, the concept of “saving face” and the importance of not doing anything that can cause anyone (including yourself) to “lose face” (เสียหน้า). Face saving culture […]

Thai astrology is an ancient art form that continues to use the “Prommachart” texts (ตำราพรหมชาติ) of the Ayutthaya period, which flourished from the 14th to 18th centuries. These divination manuals forecast life horoscopes; predicted and interpreted dreams; analyzed auspicious times; advised how to set up a house and choose a spouse; described methods of exorcising […]

The Thai dowry or bride price, known as a “sin sod” (สินสอด), is a practice that many Westerners view as a backwards tradition. Even some wealthier, educated Thais believe this old wedding custom should be abandoned. Thais jokingly say that the “sin sod” (pronounced sin sawt) is to reimburse the bride’s mom for her “mother’s […]

Every one of Thailand’s 77 provinces has a provincial seal and motto. In Sakon Nakhon’s, the temple known as Wat Phra That Choeng Chum takes center stage. This highly revered temple in downtown Sakon Nakhon city has a majestic white and gold stupa that was built to cover the footprints of the last 4 Buddhas: […]

In recent years, mock funerals in Thailand have made international news. During the height of the Covid pandemic, temples such as Wat Bangna Nai in Bangkok attracted 100s of visitors a week who underwent mock funerals in the hope of being “reborn” with better financial luck. However, the ancient Thai Buddhist ritual of the Requiem […]

Thailand has a number of sticky rice desserts that are wrapped in banana leaves which are a must try. These “boiled rice” desserts are especially delicious in Northeastern (Isaan) provinces like Sakon Nakhon, which have some of the best sticky rice in the kingdom. Sticky rice desserts are popular at merit making festivals, and any […]

If you hike the forests of Thailand, or travel back roads through the woods, you will undoubtedly see a sign for Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (กรมอุทยานแห่งชาติ สัตว์ป่า และพันธุ์พืช). These signs have a curious emblem or logo that is a mystery to many tourists, who wonder over the identity of the […]

Sakon Nakhon not only has the best sunsets in Thailand. It also has some of the most beautiful moonrises, with a full moon rising slowly over undulating mountains and rice fields, taking on new colors as it pushes its way through wisps of clouds. The moon, and the full moon in particular, has special meaning […]

We’ve discussed what sato is — the homemade rice wine popular in Isaan. Today let’s learn about its kindred spirit yoo (อุ) or lao yoo (เหล้าอุ), which is sometimes incorrectly referred to as lao khao (เหล้าขาว) or white whiskey. Yoo is different from sato (rice wine), as it has a different preparation and fermentation process. […]

While there are millions of citizens of Thailand who have Chinese ancestry, the depiction of Chinese mythological characters at Thai temples is rare, except at Chinese Buddhist temples that serve the Chinatown area of a particular province. It is even less common in the Northeast of Thailand (Isaan), where there are fewer Chinese communities, the […]

Sakon Nakhon has been the birthplace and/or wandering grounds for many famous monks in Thailand, who found the mountains and forests of the province especially suitable for meditation. One notable Thai monk who is a little lesser known today than he was 50 years ago is Phra Ajahn Wan Uttamo (พระอาจารย์วัน อุตตโม), who was born […]

Over the years, some monks in Thailand have appeared quite rich, driving around in Mercedes, flying on private jets, and wearing luxury items. These flamboyant Thai monks often make the news and trouble the Buddhist authorities in Thailand, who rightly see such monks as tarnishing the image of the Kindgom’s national religion. The rationale that […]

Phi Ta Khon (ผีตาโขน), also known as the Thai ghost mask parade, is a merit-making festival like no other in Thailand. It is held usually in June or July in the Dan Sai district of Loei province. While Thais typically are quite scared of ghosts, and do all they can to avoid them, this lively […]

The dress code for temples in Thailand can be summed up in four words: “Dress comfortably but conservatively.” There are no hard and fast rules that cover all Thai temples, and enforcement varies greatly, but you rarely can go wrong if you follow the comfortable but conservative code — along with easy to slip off […]

Monks in Thailand have many important roles. The main role of a Thai monk is to provide spiritual guidance and teachings to the people. They also frequently lead ceremonies and rituals, including weddings, funerals, and other important life events. Many revered monks have served as advisors to school and university administrators, as well as to […]

The current Thai year is 2568 BE, which is 543 years ahead of the Western or Gregorian calendar year (2025). While Thai New Year’s Day (Songkran) is celebrated on April 13th, the calendar year is officially moved forward on January 1st. The BE abbreviation in 2568 BE stands for the Buddhist Era. It’s also sometimes […]

The traditional New Year’s Day in Thailand, celebrated since ancient times, is known as “Songkran Day” (วันสงกรานต์). In 2024, Songkran activities will vary among the Thai people, and include going to the temple to make merit and honor deceased family members, pouring water over Buddha statues, building sand pagodas at temples, blessing elders by pouring […]

The khaen (แคน) is a musical instrument that plays an important role in the cultural landscape of Northeastern Thailand. The khaen is the signature wind instrument of Mor Lam: the traditional music genre of the Northeastern Thai (Isaan) people. It’s importance is so significant that villages throughout Thailand are named after the khaen, with the […]

Kratom use in Thailand stretches back hundreds of years and is an integral part of Thai culture, especially in the southern provinces, such as Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, where the largest numbers of Thai Muslims reside. Kratom is a deciduous tree native to Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries. It has big, broad leaves that […]

As February comes to a close in Northeast Thailand, the Thai rice wine (sato) making season begins. While sato (สาโท) can be made all year round, the most popular time for making Thai rice wine is from the end of the cool season through the Songkran holiday in April. Sato is a sweet Isaan wine […]

Thai music has a rich and diverse history that is closely tied to the cultural and religious traditions of the country. It can be traced back to the early civilizations that lived in the region, including the Khmer Empire and Sukhothai Kingdom, which both had a significant impact on Thai music and dance. During the […]

Update: Read about my upcoming book of Thai poetry in English “Poems from Sakon Nakhon,” which captures the richness of Thai culture and the rural people who living in Northeast Thailand: Thailand Poems. Unlike the experiment below with ChatGPT, this new book of Thai poems was written entirely by myself, and is based on my […]

The Vithidham School in Sakon Nakhon held a music festival on the evening of February 2nd. Vithidham is known as a “Way of the Dharma” school, which provides students with both moral training and practical skills via field trips throughout Sakon Nakhon Province. The Vithidham School aims to create well-rounded students, and that includes music […]

Congratulations to our friend Dr. Sawai Boonma (ไสว บุญมา), who was awarded the 2022-23 Narathip Award (รางวัลนราธิปพงศ์ประพันธ์) from the Writer’s Association of Thailand. The Narathip Award is delivered to senior writers whose works have been widely praised. The award was delivered to him by Thanpuying Wiwan Worawan Sreshthaputra, an heir of Prince Narathip Praphanphong (1861-1931), […]

The water buffalo, along with the elephant, are the two most recognized animal symbols of Thailand. Both have a long and storied history within the Kingdom — as they are strong animals that have helped the Thai people with jobs demanding hard labor. The water buffalo and elephant also have sacred significance in Thailand. You […]

When traveling Thai villages, you sometimes will see monuments where the dedication (or meaning behind the monument) is unclear. A few hundred meters north of Wat Nong Bua Sang (Sakon Nakhon) there is just such a monument in the form a large, closed lotus flower. It is named the Memorial Monument to an Enduring Angel […]

Near Arun Lat Priest’s Camp Site in Sakon Nakhon, there is a lovely white Buddha statue placed at the edge of a rice field. Seeing the Buddha there reminded us of the Thai Rice Goddess Ceremony, which sadly is disappearing from Thai society. This ceremony, which is sometimes called The Beckoning of The Rice Goddess, […]

Bangkok’s Chinatown on Yaowarat Road is a well-known tourist destination in Thailand. What many tourists don’t realize is there are also Chinese communities in Northeastern Thailand (Isan). For example, Sakon Nakhon has its own Chinatown, which is centered around two Chinese temples: the Chao Pu-Chao Ya Shrine (ศาลเจ้าปู่-เจ้าย่า) and the neighboring Dtai Hong Kong Shrine […]

If you have spent any time in the Thai countryside during the rainy season, you have undoubtedly seen villagers with traditional Thai fish nets attached to wooden polls. These nets are lowered into overflowing canals and ponds after rains, and then lifted up again, hopefully with some fish caught in the nets. These Thai fishing […]

If you live in Thailand, barking dogs are an annoyance you or your friends’ have likely experienced (the only exception being if you live in an apartment building, but even then Thai soi dogs can be a problem). Many long-time expats in Thailand have been bewildered at times how their neighbors allow their dogs to […]

Celebrating Christmas in Sakon Nakhon, Thailand does not only include taking a trip to the village of Ban Thai Rae to witness the famous Christmas Star Parade, with its gorgeous Christmas floats, there are Christmas church services (Mass) held at Catholic churches throughout Sakon Nakhon province, which has a greater population of Catholics than any […]

The Christmas Star Parade in Tha Rae is probably the most famous Christmas festival in all of Thailand, and certainly the most beautiful. However, there are times when people miss the parade due to traffic and not leaving for Ban Tha Rae early enough. If you find yourself in this situation one year, fear not! […]

Every year the village of Ban Tha Rae (Thailand) celebrates the Feast of the Nativity (Birth of Christ) with a Christmas Star Parade Festival (ประวัติแห่ดาวท่าแร่). The parade and celebrations are organized by the Catholic Archdiocese of Tha Rae-Nong Saeng, which covers an area of ​​4 provinces: Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Kalasin and Mukdahan. All provinces […]

The Creative Craft Center at Mann Gardens (Sakon Nakhon) is currently holding its Winter Arts & Crafts Festival until December 12th, from 10am – 4:30pm. This Thailand festival provides a great opportunity for residents and tourists to buy affordable and creative gift items for Christmas. Local artisans are selling fine crafts, such as hand-made Thai […]

November is the time of year in Thailand when you’ll see rice drying on plastic tarps on small village roads and at Thai temple grounds, schoolyards, and local government compounds. You’ll see this rice drying especially in Northeastern Thai provinces like Sakon Nakhon, which is famous for having some of the best rice in Thailand. […]

There is one thing that you will not see in Thailand, and that is a Thai monk with long hair. Or will you? There is one exception, and that is a statue of Luang Pu Sorn Paphassaro (หลวงปู่สอน ปภสฺสโร) in Sakon Nakhon — a Northeastern Thai province in the region known as Isaan. Thai monks […]

While traveling the Sakon Nakhon countryside, you’ll not only see lush, green rice paddies, but also verdant sugar cane fields. Over the past decade, the Thai government has tried to help farmers increase their income by giving them subsidies to replace rice crops with sugar cane. This is because rice prices have been dropping, and […]

If you are visiting the Naga Monument in Nakhon Phanom, you don’t want to stop just there. If you head south down the tree-lined promenade (opposite the direction of the Nakhon Phanom Pier), you’ll find four beautiful Nakhon Phanom temples on the riverfront. The first temple directly across from the Mekhong River is Wat Pho […]

In Thailand the ubiquitous phrase “mai pen rai” is well known to foreigners who have visited the Kingdom. Used in a variety of situations, mai pen rai is often translated as “never mind” or “it’s no big deal” in guidebooks, but a more accurate, albeit wordy, translation would be “this matter is so insignificant, let […]

The following is a collection of original sayings and proverbs, which I’ve written over the years with the help of my Thai colleagues. These proverbs and sayings were inspired by the life lessons I’ve gained by living in Thailand. In each of the entries, the Thai language version is written first, followed by a transliteration […]

The Naga Monument is a relatively new riverside attraction in the city of Nakhon Phanom. The immense brass Naga serpent statue was built in 2016 and cost 9 million baht (approx. $230,000). The elegant Buddhist sculpture has 7 heads, weighs 9 tons, and measures 4.49 meters wide and 10.90 meters high. The statue is facing […]

Straw mushrooms are grown by many rural villagers in Thailand. If you look online how to grow straw mushrooms, referred to in Thailand as het fang (เห็ดฟาง), you’ll see all sorts of “easy” directions that include the purchase of things like plastic tarps, cotton seed hulls, wheat bran, shredded lime, etc. In other words, it’s […]

Thanks to the Pon Yang Kham breeding farm, Sakon Nakhon is known for its high quality cattle (and beef). The cattle that are native to Sakon Nakhon and Northeastern Thailand are Brahman Cattle, descendents of the sacred Brahman cattle of India — which can be identified by the hump on their back. In Sakon Nakhon, […]

Many Thailand birthday traditions are intertwined with spirituality and mysticism, including lucky Buddha amulets, magical spells/incantations, and personal birthday gods who act as Thai guardian angels. These Thai birthday traditions are unique to each day of the week (corresponding to the day you were born). Not all Thai people are familiar with all of these […]

When searching for Thailand off the beaten track destinations, you inevitably see many places that aren’t off the beaten tourist path at all. For example, Koh Chang, Mae Hong Song, Hat Yai, etc. There certainly isn’t anything wrong with these destinations. In fact, we have been to them all, and love them too. But they […]

Sakon Nakhon (สกลนคร) is a city and province located in the upper northeast region of Thailand known as Isaan or Isan. It is a province filled with mountains, lakes, forests, and farms, as well as 100s of Buddhist temples and a rich cultural history stretching back thousands of years. Sakon Nakhon City Name (Etymology) The […]

The creativity of Sakon Nakhon student artists is on display on the wall of the Yutthitam Wittaya School (Tetsaban 3) in downtown Sakon Nakhon, across the street from the old (permanently closed) prison and the alley where the Camp Cook arts festival was held. This anti-drugs mural was created in 2004, around the time of […]

Sakon Nakhon’s “zombie village” became a news story in 2004, after a scholarly paper was published by Ajarn Somchai Nillathi of Maha Sarakham University. Ajarn Somchai’s paper explored the myth of the “Phi Pob Village” (หมู่บ้านผีปอบ), which translates closer to “ghoul village” rather than “zombie village”. The Sakon Nakhon village of Ban Na Sao Nan […]

If you’re spending an evening in Buriram city, one tourist attraction you’ll definitely want to visit is the King Rama I Monument (พระบรมราชานุสาวรีย์รัชกาลที่ 1 ). Located in a roundabout at the entrance to the city, the King Rama I Monument features a huge bronze statue of King Rama I riding an elephant into war. King […]

Pearypie @ Facebook Amata Chittasenee (Pearypie), a Bangkok-based environmentalist, social culture maker, urban farmer, theatrical and makeup artist, has just reported on her trip to taste the best rice in Thailand. She took part in a Sakon Nakhon rice tasting event (หอมข้าวชาวสกล) that was held in Bangkok. Most people are only familiar with two types […]

View a photo gallery of the Suan Mann (สวนแมน) Creative Craft Center, a weekend crafts market that is open on the 1st and last Sunday of the month, and occasionally at other times. Learn more at: Mann Gardens Creative Craft Center.

In 2017, Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University organized an initiative which took tourists on a 3 day trip to Sakon Nakhon “Bio Tourism” cultural destinations that impart local wisdom and produce community made products. The promotional materials for the Sakon Nakhon tour were all produced in Thai, but we have now translated the important information into […]

When you are traveling rural Sakon Nakhon, you may well come across a small earthen oven with a chimney billowing smoke, or a smoldering pit of wood. What you are seeing is the making of charcoal. Rural Thais make their own charcoal to use for cooking, and for heat during the cold season. As more […]

Sakon Nakhon is probably the best place to celebrate Christmas in Thailand. The Catholic community of Ban Tha Rae, including churches, businesses, and private citizens, all pitch in to create a spectacular village of Christmas lights and yuletide celebrations. The Christmas lights start going up a week before Christmas, and include all of the traditional […]

In today’s post, I would like to offer some philosophical advice to those who are considering a moving to Sakon Nakhon, either for retirement or for employment. There is a familiar trajectory among many expats in Thailand (aka The Land of Smiles). It starts with wide-eyed wonder; moves on to self-confidence and pride; and ends […]

One of the best ways to learn the Thai language is to learn how to sing in Thai. If you live in Sakon Nakhon (or any larger city in Thailand), there will be plenty of opportunities for you to practice your Thai singing skills beyond the shower or inside your car. Singing karaoke is a […]

There is some truth to the idea that the culture of a country is largely revealed by how its people handle themselves when in the toilet. That Americans and Brits clean themselves up by smearing their bottoms with toilet paper, then saunter off as though clean, reveals a lot about the way they deal with […]

Expats who complain about dual pricing in Thailand usually enjoy complaining as a pastime. We have never understood the whinging about dual pricing in Thailand — dual pricing being the phenomenon where locals pay less than tourists do. It’s not like dual pricing doesn’t occur elsewhere around the world. In Europe and the United States, […]

Haggling over prices is common in Thailand’s markets and mom and pop retail stores. However, it is not always easy for a foreigner to haggle successfully. Many Thais are under the assumption that all farangs are rich. If you try to haggle, a Thai store owner may think that you’re simply being a Cheap Charlie […]

Today we are going to mix a learn Thai culture lesson with a Thai language lesson. Many people unfamiliar with the kingdom have asked is Thailand a patriarchal society? The answer is complicated. While commentators do often refer to Thailand as a patriarchal society, nothing is ever as simple as it appears on the surface […]

You will know when it is election time in Sakon Nakhon (and throughout Thailand) when you begin to see small billboards of politicians asking for your vote. These billboards are usually quite formal, with the politician displayed in a polite head shot or giving a “wai”. The number below or next to the person’s picture […]

As you are traveling toward Sakon Nakhon city from Udon Thani, you’ll know that you are getting close when you reach the Welcome sign and the Royal Archway. The archway has photos of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and the inscription ทรงพระเจริญ, which is pronounced Song Phra Chareon and means Long Live the […]

Are you a serious kind of person? Well, you may have some rough going if you chose to move to Thailand. In the Land of Smiles, a friendly person will always be more welcomed than a serious person. Anyone who has spent time working in the Kingdom will tell you this, especially expat English teachers. […]

Read our updated, in-depth article on paying a Thailand bride price at: Thai Dowry. The Thailand bride price or sin sot (สินสอด) is one aspect of Thai culture that causes consternation (and more than a few arguments) in the farang expat community. The idea that one is expected to pay money to the bride’s family […]