The End of a Life
Description
"End of a Life" is taken from one of the chapters of Thailand Take Two and describes the customs and traditions of a Buddhist funeral in the northern Thai province of Chiangmai. It was the most popular chapter of that book.
In Thai social culture, death is seen as the final part of the life cycle. It is not a sad event. Everyone in the neighbourhood will attend the daily rites and the cremation. The deceased's family will provide food for all the mourners, who will respectfully take part in the monks' prayers. The funeral becomes an opportunity for a social gathering as well as paying one's respects to the deceased. Thais believe they gain merit from attending funeral rites and during part of the ceremony they transfer some of that merit to their deceased neighbour or friend.
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Person
My focus group took time to develop but is now paying dividends. I can bounce ideas off Thais from varying social classes. From poor farmers and construction workers to those working in offices and shops. From bankers to well-off business owners.
The group includes members of the so-called hi-so elite as well as military and police officers. Interaction sometimes needs to be one-to-one as Thais are cautious expressing their views in front of their other countrymen.
To understand Thailand and to integrate better with the Thai people and their culture, it's important to observe and listen rather than doing all the talking oneself. After all, God gave us two eyes and two ears but only ONE mouth.
Through field research and discussions with Thais, either in normal conversation or in the lecture theatre, Matt presents a rich picture of the real Thailand, warts and all.
He has written extensively on Thais and Thailand with 20 published books already available in ebook and print format.
Despite not being similar in style, his books reflect on some of the observations in "Mai Pen Rai Means Never Mind." ln his opinion, the best introductory book on Thais and Thailand. Written by Carol Hollinger in 1965, its insights are still very revealing and up to date.
Sadly, Hollinger passed away at 45 years old before she could see her best- selling book in print. Matt also then lost an opportunity to collaborate with her on a new book on the concept of Face in Thailand.
Readers can take a look at all the books written by Matt Owens Rees at www.books2read.com where they can find full details and excerpts for each title, and the opportunity to buy with just one click at the reader's favourite online store.
