=
OEG Teach in Thailand: Fall 2021 - February Newsletter
Omicron
Travel Updates:
Well, January was a wild month! With Omicron rearing its head here in Thailand there were quite a few cases but travel seems to remain relatively unaffected. When traveling for weekends or holidays we still advise you to bring your vaccination certificate with you to show if necessary. Some provinces or destinations may require you to take a COVID test prior to entry at this time. Wherever you decide to go always make sure to do some quick research so you are not caught off guard. Luckily at this time travel still remains relatively unaffected.
Insurance Information:
Just a reminder that if you need to visit the hospital for any reason that iNext is a reimbursement plan. You will need to pay upfront and file a claim with iNext at a later date. Make sure to keep all receipts, medical certificates, and other documentation that you receive from your visit.
For additional iNext information make sure to look up page 42 in your Teach in Thailand handbook. And of course, if you have any questions about filing a claim make sure to reach out to OEG!
Safety:
While Omicron is still present here in Thailand and travel restrictions seem to remain unaffected we still advise taking basic safety precautions while traveling. Wear those masks, wash your hands regularly and after returning to your province if possible take an at-home COVID-19 test to make sure you don’t accidentally affect any of your students or fellow teachers.
Holidays
Makha Bucha Day
Valentine's Day wont be the only holiday in the month of February. While this month may be lax in National holidays there are many Buddhist holidays on the Thai calendar, and among them is "Makha Bucha" (sometimes spelled "Magha Puja").
Makha Bucha Day in Thailand is celebrated on the third full moon on the Buddhist lunar calendar. In 2022, Makha Bucha Day falls on Wednesday 16th February.
The History of Makha Bucha Day
Dating back to 588 B.C., Makha Bucha Day commemorates the spontaneous gathering of 1,250 enlightened monks at the bamboo grove where the Buddha was known to have stayed. It is also called the "Fourfold Assembly Day" because it consisted of four elements, which happened nine months after the Enlightenment of the Buddha:
1. A total of 1,250 followers unexpectedly came to see the Buddha.
2. All of the followers were Arhantas; enlightened monks.
3. Each and every one of them was direct disciples that were ordained by the Buddha himself.
4. This unsummoned gathering happened on the third full moon of the lunar year.
Makha Bucha in Thailand
As most Buddhist holidays in Thailand, Thai Buddhists visit the local temples to pray, meditate, or make merit. This may also include listening to Buddhist teachings, giving alms to monks, and reciting Buddhist prayers. It is also common to participate in an evening candlelight procession around the ordination hall of temples.
You can observe Makha Bucha Day and participate in Buddhist traditions and activities at any local Buddhist temples all over Thailand. But if you're happen to be in Bangkok on Makha Bucha Day, these are some of the places you can check out:
(*Do double check their opening hours, as COVID-19 could affect operating hours of these temples.)
1. Wat Saket (The Golden Mount)
2. Wat Benjamabophit (The Marble Temple)
3. Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn)
4. Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon)
5. Wat Hua Lamphong
Wat Saket (The Golden Mount)
There's More to the Legend...
Forty-four years after the Fourfold Assembly on the original Makha Bucha Day, the Buddha announced that within three months he would pass on and achieve Nirvana. The foretold incident later happened on the sixth full moon of the lunar year; the very same day the Buddha was born, reached enlightenment, and now, died. This day is now known as Visakha Bucha Day, but that's the story for another time...
Extension!
Extend Your Time in Thailand!
Hey there, teachers! Find yourself going back and forth about what to do in the next few months? Wondering what your options are?
· Ready to wrap things up and head home?
· Not ready to say goodbye to your school and students?
· Or... are you loving Thailand and looking for a new adventure?
Regardless of if you plan to head home, keep teaching, or if you plan to travel after you're finished teaching, PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION closely so you can start to make a plan for the end of your teaching contract!
Traveling After the Program:
Remember that traveling in Thailand is very open at this time and relatively hassle-free. However, the same cannot be said about traveling to other countries during this time. While we would love to share with you all of the wonderful locations you can visit in neighboring countries we must advise against any additional international travel at this time.
While many countries are slowly opening up to tourists the limitations on entry, restrictions, and overall maze of requirements one must go through to safety get there including quarantine restrictions are ever-changing. Last-minute changes have left many travelers stranded or left with expensive bills for short visits.
Understand that if you do leave Thailand we are unable to assist with any issues you may run into while abroad. The rest of the world will still be there in the future, for now, best to stick to Thailand for your travel breaks.
If you need any advice on where to go, or what to do for your break, feel free to reach out to OEG via LINE for ideas!
oegteach - #oegteach
