What Phenomenon is on this coming May 11-13, 2007?
Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival
The rocket festival, known in Thai as "Bun Bang Fai", is an ancient local festival that has been carried out continuously till modern times. It is popularly celebrated in Yasothon, a province in Thailand's northeast, and is usually held in the second week of May.
Born of the traditional beliefs of the Isan people, the sprightly "Bun Bang Fai" Rocket Festival, the most celebrated of Isan's merit-making rituals, has been strictly observed by the residents of Isan for generations and is essentially an annual ritual to ensure that the seasonal rains fall at the appropriate time in the planting cycle. As you should know that in Thailand, the month of May is the beginning of the rainy season and farmers are ready to begin planting their rice fields. The festival is associated with traditional beliefs in the supernatural powers that help promote the production of rice crops for the coming planting season. In this process, Buddhist merit-making traditions are also observed and reinforced.
The festival which is held over a period of three days strengthens community spirit. The first day known as "Wan Sook Dib" features lively processions as rocket teams transport the rockets in a procession and perform a ritual to pay homage to Chao Pu, the spirit of the city pillar. Each is escorted by a colourful dance troupe.
The second day is the rocket procession day. Modern-day rockets are mounted on vehicles or traditional carts to be drawn in the parade. The "Bang Fai" rockets come in different sizes. For example, the Bang Fai Kilo is packed with one kilogram of nitrate, while the Bang Fai Meun - 12 kilograms, and the Bang Fai Saen - 120 kilograms of nitrate. The rocket-making technicians play a vital role in deciding the right amount of nitrate to be mixed with the charcoal. With the wrong formula, a rocket could blow up prematurely before it is launched high into the sky. The rocket cylinders are usually made from the bottom half of the bamboo.
It is also a day for the ordination of novices with festive celebrations follows merit-making rituals. Dance, music, song and revelry are integral elements of the processions as the parade of beautifully decorated rockets wind their way through the village on their way to the temple offering an opportunity for the residents and visitors to admire the impressive works of art.
The rockets are finally launched on the third day in which various rocket contests are held. With the launch of the rockets, predictions are made with regard to the fortunes of the coming harvest. The Rocket Festival in Yasothon Province is spectacular and provides a tremendous opportunity to experience Isan-style festive fun.
The Rocket Festival stems from the belief that when this merit-making ceremony is held, gods and spirits will reciprocate with seasonal rain and a bountiful harvest.
The details of activites of this festival will be featured soon.
Labels: Reccomend all attractive places to go and things to eat and join, Thailand
What's about Chiang Mai, Touch the Experience of North
Amazing Highlights of Chiang MaiChiang Mai and Northern Thailand are one of the highlights of the Kingdom and well worth the trek up north. The city is older than Ayuthaya, Bangkok and nearly as old as Sukhothai. It's also one of the most relaxed and cheapest tourist places in the country. There are plenty of sites and activities that we could recommend but here are the main ones you shouldn't miss:The Moat
This is the oldest surviving relic of the city and and has been well maintained with restored ancient bastions on each corner and five gates leading into the lanes of the old town. The moat itself is a nice oasis in the city, lined with grassy banks and trees. It's also a useful place to go swimming during the Songkran water fight festival! More on Chiang Mai city
Doi Suithep temple
This is one of the most important in the whole of Thailand and sits on a peak on the massive mountain to the west of the city. It's pretty impressive and the views are to die for! You can hire a motorbike (or bicycle if you are brave) and ride up to the top. Even if you're not really into temples the national park and waterfalls are brilliant.
The Night Bazaar and Walking street market
Get your bargaining boots on! Chiang Mai is the handicraft centre of southeast asia and produces an incredible range of fantastic Thai sounvenirs at unbelievable prices. Then there are the pirated CDs & DVDs fake designer labels and goods, silk, clothing, art and more. On that note, make sure you're in town on Sunday for the cool walking street. More on Shopping in Chiang Mai
Trekking
That's why everyone comes to Northern Thailand right? This is the best way to really get into the jungle, got elephant back riding, riding rivers on skiffs, spend the night in unique hill tribe villages and get away from all the silly old tourists. Many tour companies in town offer all sorts of options, from day trips to multi day excursions.
The temples
Chiang Mai is known for its 300 or more temples and the old town is just packed with them. Some are more than 500 years old and worth checking out. Wat Phrasing is probably the most famous, but also check out Wat Chedi Luang with it's massive landmark ruined chedi, Wat Lookmoli - another impressive ancient chedi and unique wooden temple,Wat Chiang Man, the city's oldest and several along Thapae road. Learn more, Chiang Mai guideKhantoke dinner
OK, this one is strictly for the culture vultures, but for that unique Thai cultural experience sign up for one of these enchanting evenings that take place in antique pavilions and feature traditional Northern Thai classical dance, music (with thai traditional orchestra) and local cuisine served on you lap! Khantoke venue.Labels: All about Chiang Mai, Reccomend all attractive places to go and things to eat and join, Thailand
The Island of Traditional Thai Culture
Koh Kret
The island dates only to 1722, when a canal was constructed as a shortcut to bypass a bend in the Om Kret branch of the Chao Phraya river. As the canal was widened several times, the section cut off eventually became a separate island. The island continues to serve as a refuge to the Mon tribes who dominated central Thailand between the 6th and 10th centuries and have retained a distinct identity in their flavor of Buddhism and, particularly at Ko Kret, their pottery.The easiest way to reach Ko Kret, a little more challenging, starts by traveling to Nonthaburi pier.- Take the air-con van service (just 10 baht) or public bus 32/506 to Pak Kret, then head to the ferry pier serving the island. The catch is that there's no signage in English, so finding your way can be tricky.
- Hire a river taxi, for which touts will quote prices around 500 baht. With enough haggling this may be a reasonable option for a group.
- If you can't get a return trip for less than 200 baht (and you probably can't), it'll be cheaper to take a taxi to the temple of Wat Sanam Neua (80-90 baht) in the neighboring district of Pak Kret, from where ferries shuttle across the river to the island pretty much non-stop for the princely sum of 2 baht (return). Just tell the cabbie "Ko Kret", they will understand.
Get around
Compared to getting in, getting around is easy: the most popular option is your feet. The island is roughly square in shape, each side measuring about 2 km, and a path runs around the entire island. The walk at a pleasant pace takes about 1.5- 2 hours. Other options are renting a bicycle from the outfit located in Moo 6; from the 2 baht ferry crossing make your way counterclockwise around the island about 200 meters. At about the same point, which is near the end of the touristed area, motorcycle taxis wait to take people around. If you walk and get tired, you can proceed down one of the paths leading out to piers by the river. From these local piers, you can flag down a small water-taxi. These miniature versions of the famous Thai long tailed boats will zip you around the island and back to the Pak Kret pier on the mainland if you like. Prices are reasonable, maybe 20 baht per person for a group of 4 and the ride warrants a Disneyland "E" ticket, but better know how to swim as life vests are not included. Also do not expect to use English with the boatman.
While the locals speak little English, there are useful multilingual maps of the island near the ferry pier and at a couple other points around the island. There are occasional distance signposts along the footpath, and most sights around the island have been labeled in English.
There is a food market near the ferry pier featuring the usual suspects, but also including a local specialty best described as Mon tempura: deep-fried vegetables, fish, shrimp and such served in a large banana-leaf krathong (leaf-shaped bowl). A number of stalls also serve chaa yen (Thai iced tea) and other drinks in red clay cups with carrying handles, which you can keep as a souvenir for a few baht extra.
Labels: Reccomend all attractive places to go and things to eat and join, Thailand
The festival which is held over a period of three days strengthens community spirit. The first day known as "Wan Sook Dib" features lively processions as rocket teams transport the rockets in a procession and perform a ritual to pay homage to Chao Pu, the spirit of the city pillar. Each is escorted by a colourful dance troupe.
