Back to Basics....

Yasothon Hospital, Thailand, has set a successful example of using Thai traditional medicines to solve the modern problem of waiting lists.

The introduction of traditional treatment, when combined with modern medicine, can reduce the number of patients waiting for treatment, the hospital says.

"Traditional Thai medicine requires a small investment, but it could effectively treat patients physically and mentally with a holistic approach together with modern medicine," said Adikiat Iamworaniran, director of Yasothon Hospital.

This "East meets West" method is available to women following childbirth, patients with bone and joint problems as well as those with asthma and paralysis.

Dr Adikiat said traditional medicine could fill the gaps in modern medicine. It looked at curing diseases, and how related factors such as people's lifestyle and diet can cause illness.

For example, women who usually experience backache after giving birth would be better helped by therapeutic massage and herbal sauna treatment instead of depending on, for example, pain killers.

By introducing alternative treatments for patients, the hospital can also reduce its costs with regard to Western medicine prescriptions for patients under the universal health care scheme, he said.

However, traditional medicine was still not well recognised mainly due to lack of support from the state and understanding among doctors trained in modern medicine.

Sukanya Yangsila, a doctor who practises traditional medicine, says she regrets the fact that Thais adopt a narrow mindset to Thai medicine. Many are to attached to the idea that they need modern drugs to be cured.

"It's such a shame that when people hear the words Thai traditional medicine they think about massage and spa treatments first.

"Thai traditional medicine is much more than that.

"Therapeutic massage, traditional medicine and herbal pharmacy passed down the generations can explain the cause and result of illnesses," she said.

A combination of modern medicine and traditional treatment can help patients recuperate faster than modern medicine alone.

It could also reduce excess drug consumption, which has driven up the state pharmaceutical bill.

Ms Sukanya, who works for a private hospital in the Northeast, said she studied anatomy, physiology and pathology at Abhaibhubejhr College of Thai Traditional Medicine for five years. Doctors in modern medicine also spend five years on those subjects.

Students of Thai traditional medicine also have to pass an exam to get a medical licence from the Medical Council of Thailand.

Despite the fact that doctors working in this field are well-trained, the Thai public does not give the profession much respect.

No career path exists for doctors in this field working at state hospitals.

Pay is also low.

Unsurprisingly, most work with private hospitals instead.

Ms Sukanya said the Public Health Ministry should do more to promote traditional medicine, incorporate it into the national health system, and support those working in the profession.

"Thai traditional medicine is the wisdom our ancestors.

"If we do not take care of it, who will?" she said.

Source: Bangkok Post

Global Day of Action for Aung San Suu-Kyi

As Aung San Suu Kyi is put on trial on Monday, demonstrations will take place in more than 20 cities, including London, Bangkok, Sydney, San Francisco, Pretoria, Perth, Ottawa, Tokyo, Melbourne, Canberra, Taipei, Toronto, Indiana, Barcelona, Paris, Stockholm, Barcelona, Boston, Cadiz, Sevilla, Washington DC, and Kuala Lumpur.

In London there will be a demonstration from 12noon – 1pm outside the Burmese Embassy, 19a Charles Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 4DX.

“We are demonstrating to show our support for Aung San Suu Kyi, and demand international action,” said Zoya Phan, International Coordinator at Burma Campaign UK.

“Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained for more than 13 years. Enough is enough, she must be freed.”

Last Thursday Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Burma’s democracy movement, was taken to the notorious Insein Jail. She was charged with breaking the terms of her house arrest after an American man, John Yettaw, swam to her house and refused to leave. The dictatorship are using the visit as an opportunity to extend her detention, which was expected to expire this month.

Her trial starts on Monday and she could face a further five years in detention.

Her current period of detention began in May 2003 after a convoy she was travelling in was ambushed by a regime militia. She escaped with her life but dozens of her supporters were killed.

“The trial is all about keeping any voices of dissent silent in the run up to rigged elections next year,” said Zoya Phan. “It exposes the lies the generals have been telling that elections next year will bring change. In fact, the election and constitution are all about keeping the generals in power.”

For more information contact Zoya Phan on 020 7324 4710

To read the full article: http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/index.php/burma/news/global-day-of-action-for-aung-san-suu-kyi-monday-18th-may

Thai massage training in Thailand

I was recently asked by F.H.T. (Federation of Holistic Therapist) to write an article about studying Thai massage in Thailand.

Here it is and I hope you will find this shared experiences useful.

I chose to study Thai massage in Thailand because I thought that it would be an invaluable experience to combine the traditional training with the culture and philosophy behind this
ancient healing art.

Studying in a foreign country is never easy if the native language is not spoken and the language barrier can indeed be frustrating at times, but the Thai people are wonderful- very patient, calm, and understanding.

In Asia, awareness about the body is very different than in the West. There is always someone ready to offer a smile and touch is a vital part of the culture.

Thai massage stretches and positions initially look odd to the Western eye and our technical minds find it hard to learn and memorise them at first.

The real learning experience in Thailand comes from simply watching and observing the masters and teachers performing the hundreds of moves, just like a dancing meditation.

This is an ancient healing art that has been passed on from tradition to tradition, and still is nowadays.

At ITM, you won’t just learn a set of moves and techniques; you will be taught how to move; how to close your eyes; and how to work in a meditative and concentrated state of mind.
You will be taught how to observe and practise, which is something that you can only learn in
Thailand.

The Thai teachers’ and masters’ English is very good but their friendly manners,
guidance, professionalism and patience in explaining, demonstrating, and guiding the students is
simply superb.

The only downside to the whole experience is that what you will learn is a practical skill and that
there is not much room for questioning. As Westerners, we have a constant need to ask and
‘demand’ explanations and clarifications, but the Thai’s will simply look at you and smile, and to
some this could be a problem if they might require more specific methods of teaching.

Master Chongkol Setthakorn has taught Thai massage at the Old Medicine Hospital in Chiang
Mai since 1985 and has been running and directing ITM School since 1992.
Chongkol, alongside his family and team, teach to worldwide students and their reputation and easy-to-follow teaching style are simply amazing and inspirational.

Accommodation, food, and general living expenses are very cheap and easy to book and English
is widely spoken everywhere.

My advice to anyone who travels to Thailand to study is to go with an open mind and an open heart. If you can bear to be away from home for a few weeks; willing
to be taught in a traditional eastern way, rather then a western college style; and keen to absorb
and practise as much as possible, the experience will be invaluable!

Travelling is a wonderful experience in itself, and if combined with study, this can certainly be a
great combination.

Chiang Mai is a wonderful city too with plenty to do, from trekking to visiting hill tribes or yoga retreats.

Many years have passed since that first experience and I keep on going back to Thailand, to
Chiang Mai, and to ITM at least once a year.

Thailand has become a second home; ITM a second family; and my passion for Thai Massage as strong as it was ten years ago.

If you go to the right schools in Thailand, the master will always be the master…and you will
always take a bit of culture and a piece of Asia back home with you.

Chongkol teachings have been invaluable and nowadays, with his blessings, I run my own courses in Thai massage across Europe.

The Thai people have a wonderful saying:

Muen muen kan, tae taek tang

That translates as ‘Everything is the same, just different!’

I teach regular Ongoing Training classes.
Visit the website https://www.shenmantra.com or simply contactme@shenmantra.com


Several other FHT members have also provided their own experiences of training inThailand, which are also featured in the article.
Read the full stories at http://www.fht.org.uk/mainwebsite/resources/file/thaipersonalaccounts.pdf

Take good care!

Francesca x

Thai PM says Bangkok state of emergency to end Friday

BANGKOK : Posted: 24 April 2009

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced that he would lift a state of emergency in Bangkok on Friday, saying that his government wanted reconciliation after violent street protests.

Abhisit imposed emergency rule in the capital and five surrounding provinces on April 12 after rallies against his government disrupted a summit of Asian leaders in the coastal city of Pattaya and then spread to Bangkok. Two people were killed and 123 injured as protesters clashed with troops despite the state of emergency, ending only on April 14 when they abandoned a three-week sit-in outside Abhisit's offices fearing a military crackdown.

"Today I intend to lift the state of emergency. At first I wanted to announce it in the morning (of Thursday) but as it is already past midnight it is considered a new day," Abhisit told a special sitting of parliament. "Lifting the state of emergency is part of measures to find a solution for the country. The government wants to show its sincerity, that the government wants reconciliation and to make the country move forwards," he added.

The parliamentary sitting was held to find ways of healing the bitter political divide between Abhisit and his opponents, the so-called "Red Shirt" movement largely loyal to ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Authorities have issued warrants for the arrest of Thaksin -- who was toppled in a coup in 2006 and lives in exile -- and 12 other allies for allegedly inciting the protests in Pattaya, before the emergency was imposed. "After the lifting of the state of emergency all the suspects that have been detained under (emergency) law will be released, but those held under criminal cases would have to go before the law," Abhisit said.

A government minister had earlier this week said that a fresh Red Shirt rally planned outside the emergency zone on Saturday would mean that the state of emergency would be prolonged. The protest is due to take place in Samut Sakhon province, 36 kilometres (22 miles) outside Bangkok. On Monday Jakrapob Penkair, a senior Red Shirt leader, told AFP from an unknown foreign location that the group would continue their campaign against Abhisit The Red Shirts want Abhisit to quit and call elections, saying that he came to power unfairly in December after a court toppled Thaksin's allies from power.

Police are meanwhile still hunting the gunmen behind an assassination attempt on Sondhi Limthongkul, the founder of the rival "Yellow Shirts" movement which led a blockade of Bangkok's airports last year.

The airport siege ended after the court ruling that helped bring Abhisit to power. Thai army chief Anupong Paojinda admitted Thursday that three bullets used in the attack came from a military unit.

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/424521/1/.html

The Buddhist amulets from Thailand

A startling and fascinating aspect of Thai Buddhism lies in the belief of the Thai populace in the magic powers of some of their Buddhist Masters, and in the fact that from time to time these Masters provide hard evidence of their powers! Many Masters make amulets with sundry powers (and sometimes surprising!), distributing them to their followers or selling them in the temple shop to support the maintence of the monks, or the expansion of their various charitable projects. There are too laymen Magic Masters (black & white) who who are in the same business. Not a week passes in Thailand without one of the nation's major newspapers reporting some new anecdote regarding amulets and ghosts. There are, moreover, at least twenty specialized magazines keeping collectors up to speed regarding events to attend: a Temple blessing ceremony, the arrival of a grand Master....
This world is for the most part hidden, and even forbidden, to foreign interlopers. Indeed, it is urged that one become "in the know" to comprehend and savor this special universe, where miracles occur daily and the out of the ordinary is the norm. I have been able after some years to penetrate the world of amulet collectors and make friends there, as well as meeting several celebrated Masters.
In the pages which follow, I undertake to help you uncover the wealth of this sector of Thai culture. The documentation and photos which I'm bringing forth have taken me several working years to gather together and are for the most part available nowhere else.
I will put forth too numerous Magic amulets which I have collected directly from temples I have visited, as well as culled from private collections. If you treat them with respect, these objects can bring you abundance both spiritual and material. They are the glimmers of a thousand-year old tradition and in no way should be considered tacky little good luck charms.
It is my heartfelt wish that you spend a few pleasant moments in this part of the site, and that you thereby acquire the impetus to discover more about Thailand and its Theravadin Buddhist practices.

In the picture: Venerable LP Taweesak, making some amulets levitate while he bless them!