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NASA, Space X and Richard Branson… move aside. You have competition. Thais are reaching for the sky with an inexpensive, committed and community supported annual attempt at space exploration. Problem is they haven’t quite reached space yet, but they’re certainly heading in the right direction… straight UP!
Welcome to the Yasathon Rocket Festival, held on the second weekend of May each year. Yasathon is one of Thailand’s provinces, close to the Loas border and infused with the regional Isaan culture.
And rockets.
The Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival in Yasothon is timed to fit in with the annual wet season. The symbolism is all about reaching for the clouds to break them for the wet season rains. Communities from around the region vie for the prize of the rocket that reaches the highest into the sky.
Traditionally the festival is a merit-making ceremony, practiced by ethnic Lao people throughout much of Isan and Laos, to call in the annual monsoonal rains. But much of the traditions have veered a bit off course, much like some of the rockets, to become something much, much bigger.
There’s the acrid smell of gun powder in the air, parades, local spicy food, cultural performance, not quite so cultural performances, noise, music, LOUD music, and lots and lots of beer.
The festival usually stretches across three days, making it a long weekend with people flocking to Yasathon city from around the province, and beyond.
The first night is a party, a big party. The local Isaan traditional Thai country gets fused with more western sounds. There’s lots of dancing, celebration… and BEER. It may be that the purpose of the Friday night parties is to get your ears ready for what’s to follow….
