| ign="center"> | | | | thrown in by well-wishing locals and tourist who |
| The kingdom of Thailand is a South East Asian | | | | want to increase their karma. |
| country, lying in the gulf of Thailand. Bordered by | | | | Wat Suan Dok’ is another temple in |
| Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia, Thailand has | | | | Chiang Mai, that dates back to the 14th century. |
| a long cultural history, and it has been heavily | | | | It was built in honor of a revered monk who was |
| influenced by its surrounding countries, the | | | | visiting the temple to escape the monsoon rains. |
| Chinese and Malay, not to mention other minority | | | | Now, something of a Buddhist place of learning, or |
| groups including the Mons, the Khmers and various | | | | university, monks from across the world pursue |
| other hill tribe groups that still occupy areas in the | | | | studies in Buddhism. Every Wednesday afternoon |
| north of the region. This has made Thailand | | | | tourists can partake in monk chat’, a |
| something of a cultural, religious and migratory | | | | chance for foreigners to sit and talk to these |
| crossroads. | | | | novices about Buddhism, and for the monks to |
| Comprised of a large land area which is | | | | try to improve their fluency in English. |
| mountainous in the north and interspersed with | | | | Just north of Bangkok in Kanchanaburi Province is |
| steep river valleys in the upland areas. The | | | | the Tiger Temple. A forest temple and something |
| country has a long coastline, with flatter land in | | | | of an animal sanctuary, the temple is home to |
| the south, and many islands in both the Gulf of | | | | over 50 tigers. For visitors it affords an almost |
| Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Thailand literally | | | | impossibly close experience of the big cats, as |
| then, has something for everyone. Now one of | | | | they can quite literally sit with the animals and |
| the most popular tourist destinations in the world, | | | | stroke them. The monks at the temple keep the |
| visitors flock to Thailand in massive numbers | | | | tigers under control and lovingly feed wash and |
| ready to enjoy some of the old world charm, | | | | care for the big cats, which they say, are the |
| natural beauty, and quiet contemplation of this | | | | victims or poachers or unwanted pets. |
| peaceful land. | | | | Down in the south of Thailand, is located one of |
| Predominantly Buddhist, there are many temples | | | | the most important temples in Surratani province, |
| in Thailand. In the northern province of Chiang Mai | | | | Suan Mok’. Here at selected times |
| alone there are over two thousand temples, | | | | throughout the year, tourists can take part in a |
| some dating back to the 1300s. One of them, | | | | vipassana meditation retreat. Vipassana is a silent |
| Wat Umong’ is known as a forest | | | | retreat, where for 10 days, practitioners are |
| temple, or wat’. The stone | | | | prohibited from speaking, writing, or |
| chedi’ or stupa’ sits amid a | | | | communication in any form. Those who decide to |
| silent, wooded grove, a perfect place for some | | | | experience this form of retreat also find that |
| quiet contemplation, and a sense of serenity | | | | they are required to rise at 4 am in order to |
| prevails. Down a stone staircase encompassed by | | | | begin the day with meditation, and stay mindful |
| 2 sleeping dragons, lies a lake filled to the brim | | | | throughout the entire process, following the basic |
| with catfish and turtles who like to eat the food | | | | Buddhist precepts. |