Festivals in Isaan

Festivals in Thailand are numerous, some are unique to the "Phu" and others are just Thai. They normally have there roots in Buddhism teaching, such as the “Bung Fai” day. (Rocket Festival). Rocket day can only be described as amazing, dangerous and simply exciting. It is in fact held over three days. All over Isaan you will find Rocket Festivals of different sizes. Our local one is held in “Ban Kutwah” ten minutes from our village. The first day is very full and starts with a street carnival. Many floats and dancing parades come down the road to the beat of local music. It is something to see, I can tell you. Imagine big trucks full of boys and girl bands belting out very loud local music using there own amplified musical instruments, followed by a stream of dancers in unison to the music. Then followed by huge floats depicting the mythological stories associated with “Bung Fai”. This carnival goes on all day and into the night. The next day is “Rocket launch day” Out into the Paddies go the rocketeers. Youth from local villages going to compete to see whose rocket will stay up the longest. These are NOT toys, these are homemade monsters, some weighing in at 2 tonne and carried onto the launch pad by 8 or 9 people. Imagine a Catherine wheel laying on its side, (yes, like a UFO) The audience holding its breath some 500 metres away. The green flag goes up to give the all clear and two rocketeers will light the fuses. WHOOSH!!! As the boys run for cover up she goes, the crowds cheering it on, up, up, and away. However as they say, “What goes up”! the crowds watch to see the way the wind is blowing and get ready to make a run for it if the remnants start heading there way. This day is not without its dramas and danger. Some rockets explode on the ground, some as low as 20 metres of the ground. It is amazing to see a tonne of gunpowder explode like that. I have attached a movie of one exploding to give you and idea. However, for the audience 500 metres away it is safe.

The rockets keep on coming all day and the next. Whilst all this is going on there is a fair ground atmosphere happening in other parts of the village. There are stalls selling drinks and food, bumper cars and side shows even a house of mirrors. It is one very memorable day. This year I had with me two guests from the Resort. John and Norma came especially for Rocket Day. They are still talking about it, “It was amazing” said john. “Can you imagine this ever happening in England” I for one can’t imagine it anywhere else but Isaan.



Festivals seem to have been an invention of the Thais, if there’s an excuse for one then the Thais will have it. They just like to party seriously.

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