Taxi Shrines 2

Number two of 'Taxi Shrines'. This one very neat and well maintained, because the flowers (I was told) are artificial. 'Garlands ("DOOK MALAI" - ดอกมาลัย - flower garlands) are also offered to Buddha statues. Their white color symbolises the beauty of Lord Buddha teachings. When they get old, they symbolize the life impermanence' - Wikipedia. They are bought for plain old good luck and just for decoration as well.

I've also seen them called roi malai (roi = making) and phuang malai.

A friend (the lovely P Chur) in Bangkok sent me the links below to illustrate just how intricate some of them can be. Although I've never personally seen such elaborate garlands sold by street vendors and am guessing these are more apt for weddings and celebrations. Used in much the same way as we would use a flower arrangement...except these are hanging. Apparently one should not sniff them before offering them to the recipient (not sure if that's only while they're looking ) which is a shame, because the real ones smell divine...usually of Jasmine.

kusolsuksa.com , lks.ac.th and atcloud.com

My progress in learning Thai has been non existent over the last month or so, work has left me no time to study. So I apologise in advance if I have directed you to any unsavoury websites in the links above. For a lot more info and some more pics visit Way of Design blog.

Not quite a taxi shrine

Ok...this was taken while in a taxi on the way from the Golden Triangle to Chiang Rai (Thailand) so it's not officially a Taxi shrine. It's one hell of a load on the back of a ute (small truck) though.

And from the front.

Remember, there's no trailer in this picture! Or is there? I can't quite figure it out now.

Taxi Shrines 1

Photo 1 Taxi Shrines. Most taxi drivers have their own mobile shrine on the dash of their car. This the first of a few I managed to get photos of.

I am nearly certain that it's the King's face on the swinging fish, for whom the Thai people hold the utmost respect. Possibly made from 20 Baht notes?