The Mother of all Rocket Festivals
3 Weeks in May - Yasathon THAILAND
INFORMATION
The Noisiest Event in Thailand
Part - Road Trip
HIGHLIGHTS - Gun powder & rocket fuel
Bangkok 3N
Ayutthaya 2N
Mu Si 2N
Khun Han 2N
Yasothon 3N
Roi Et 3N = 21N
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Night Markets
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Remote Resort
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Riverside Bars
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Grand Palace
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Emerald Buddha
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Reclining Buddha
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Tented Resort
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Wineries
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All things Isaan
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Part Road Trip
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World's Biggest Toad
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#1 Insane Rocket Festival
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UNESCO listed Ayutthaya
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UNESCO listed Preah Vihear
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4th Tallest Buddha in Thailand
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UNESCO listed Khao Yai National Park
All travel information including hotels etc is at the bottom of this page
1 Thursday Bangkok - 3N
Fly into Suvarnabhumi International Airport then take an official taxi to your hotel in the Banglamphu area near Khao San Road. I recommend you download the maps.me app to your phone and download the Bangkok map so you can use it to navigate while you are moving around. Also it pays to carry a photocopy of your passport around with you.
Spend the rest of the afternoon / evening looking around the neighbourhood. You will find everything your heart could desire and quite a few things you didn't even know existed.
Find a table in the street, order a beer or a bottle of Sang Som (Thai rum), coke, soda and ice bucket then just sit there and watch the world go by. Just about every demographic of the world is represented. If you're a Thai Boxing fan you could go to the nearby Rajadamnern Stadium which has bouts starting around 6.30 PM. It's only 2 km away so you could walk or take a tuk tuk.
2 Friday
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Off for a walking tour today to cross the major bucket list items off of your list.
Photo by Sasin Tipchai on Pixabay
Making Merit
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No rush to get up, you need to be at Sky Bar for 6pm opening and Sunset
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Head off at 10am and you should have plenty of time. The restaurant Krua Apsorn doesn't open until 10.30. Have a very light breakfast at the hotel.
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You will need long pants and shoes (men) to get in to Sky Bar ladies get away with being more casual but no flip flops. Zip off pants are a great idea.
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They will be handy for the Grand Palace too, although normally you can rent a sarong or happy pants.
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Watch out for pickpockets around the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.
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Make your way to the the 14 October 1973 Memorial - 500,000 people gathered here to protest the Three Tyrants
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Then down to the Democracy Monument - where it all began in 1932 and it has become a place for protesters to assemble
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Brunch at Krua Apsorn (Apsorn's Kitchen) a famous place to eat that uses recipes that were used in the palace to feed Royalty - (Stir fried crab in curry powder is highly recommended)
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The Giant Swing (Sao Ching Cha) - hard to miss this one at 21 meters tall, at one time Louis Leonowens the son of Anna (as in the King and I) donated the teak for the swing)
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Next door is Wat (temple) Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworahawihan - is one of the oldest and most important temples - King Rama 8 is buried here.
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Nuttaporn Ice cream - time for a cool break, they have local flavours and have been making ice cream pretty much since Bangkok has had it and use the finest mangoes money can buy
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Phraeng Phuton Square - next to Nuttaporn and has some classic old shops that are worth a look
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Bangkok City Pillar Shrine - this was the first building put up on this side of the river
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The Grand Palace (Phra Borom Maharatchawang) and the the Emerald Buddha (Phra Kaeo Morakot) - which has had an interesting life with lots of travel
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Wat Pho - the home of the Reclining Buddha and Thai massage
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Museum Siam - an interactive and fun lesson in Thai history and Thai culture
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It must be time for a drink - make your way to the river and the Yodpiman ferry wharf and take an orange flagged ferry to the Oriental Pier (Don't worry the ticket lady will tell you which ferry to get on - just watch how the locals do it and follow suit - it's an adventure in itself plus you will have a pleasant cruise down the river as well.
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Get off at the Oriental Hotel (Bangkok's first hotel and the best in the world for many years in a row) and have a look / drink as you make your way to the Sky Bar at the Lebua State Tower - if you're a bit early there's plenty to see in this neighbourhood. The bar opens at 6 pm and it's good to be on time to see it in the light and the dark and the sun sets quickly in the tropics.
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Drinks aren't overly expensive and you only need to stay for one. You'll still have plenty of time to take in the view of this amazing city.
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Now it's time for dinner and there are many choices. Charoen Krung Rd outside he building has some famous places to eat - or you could take the complimentary ferry (get on just south of the main Sathon Pier) down to ASIATIQUE the Riverfront where you have eating, drinking and shopping in a recreated 1900's style - or you could catch the Sky Train (from Saphan Taksin station) down to Sukhumvit Rd for a night out (there is something foe everyone). Catching a tuk tuk home and racing through the trafficless streets is one of the great things to do in Bangkok. Don't forget to barter.
3 Saturday
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Have another sleep in if you need it. You have another big day ahead. Time for some exercise to blow the cobwebs out. Or you could opt for a motorcycle taxi. You're off to Bang Krachao - the"Green Lungs of Bangkok" (a riverine island that will make you forget you are in the big city). It is the perfect place to cycle around and it has a number of attractions along the way. One of the highlights is riding along the elevated pathways through the mangrove forest and Green Road and Flower Street.
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On the weekend you'll have lots of company and everything will be open including the Siamese Fighting Fish Gallery and the Floating Market. Don't forget to take a hat and a copy of your passport.
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First of all you'll need to eat. You've probably noticed by now that eating is a national past time around here and you are never more than 10 meters away from food at any time. Just down the road is a place that's been there for over 80 years and it's called Karim Roti Mataba. The food is very good and very cheap. Stop in for a bite on your way to the Phra Athit ferry pier. Catch the ferry down to the main Sathon pier by the Thaksin bridge.
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From here take a taxi to the Klong Toey pier. Taxis are generally cheaper, safer, cooler and less hassle than tuk tuks. But nowhere near as much fun! Catch the boat across to Bang Krachao pier where you will see the bicycle rental shop. You'll need you passport copy and they will give you a map and a bottle of water. The bikes are reasonable and very cheap. The map isn't that good, either is google maps, so it's a good thing you downloaded maps.me.
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I would go in an anticlockwise direction. The two dots after the floating market towards the river are the Green Road and Flower Street. The Bangkok Tree House is a good place to stop for a beer on the roof.
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Once you're back across the river find yourself a taxi and go to the Klong Toei Metro Station. You want to head west and get off at the Hua Lamphong MRT station.
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From here walk to Wat Traimit to see the world's largest solid gold Buddha that was discovered by accident
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Enter Chinatown through the China Gate. Chinatown originally was where you were walking around yesterday but was moved here to make way for the Grand Palace. The main road here Yaowarat Rd was the first road in Thailand. The snaking road is said to represent a dragon and the China Gate is its head. It has had a colourful history. Chinatown is actually called Yaowarat. All of your senses will be challenged in this vibrant and colourful area.
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Stroll around - sit down - eat and drink. Seafood here is legendary and one of the most famous spots is the corner where the Lek & Rut (Red team) and T & K (Green team) Seafood Restaurants compete for customers.
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Catch a taxi or tuk tuk home when you've had enough.
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4 Sunday ayutthaya - 2N
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Take a tuk tuk to get to River City early to take a pleasure cruise towards the previous capital Ayutthaya. Drinks and a buffet lunch are included. As is a bicycle tour of the Ayutthaya Historical Park and drop off at your hotel. The beauty of Ayutthaya is that the ruins are scattered around the city so you will see them everywhere you go. Back in it's heyday Ayutthaya was one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities, much grander than London. The Burmese sacked the city in 1767 which led to Bangkok becoming the capital. If you've ever seen pictures of Schwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, that's where all the gold went. Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Listed Site.
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If the boat trip isn't available just catch the train up. And have a sleep in.
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If you came by train hire a bike and do your own tour (feel free to skip a few temples to shorten the tour) or join in a half day one. It's also worth doing at night time as all the temples are illuminated. You can hire a tuk tuk to take you around too.
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For dinner head to the night market. Look for the local specialty Roti Sai Mai that was invented here. It's like fairy floss in roti. Another specialty is "boat noodles" (noodle soup) which used to be sold from boats in the waterways. For drinks you don't have to head anywhere. Tony's has a bar and the street you are on is known as Soi Farang (Foreigner Street) and has a number of bars, some live music etc and is a good place to meet fellow travellers.
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Photo by Sasin Tipchai on Pixabay
Ayutthaya Temple Ruins
5 Monday
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When you're ready make your way out to the Ayutthaya Floating Market. It's a pleasant place to wander about, even have a massage and then have lunch. Don't miss the show it's hysterical.
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There is a lot to see and do here so if there is anything you'd particularly like to do this afternoon would be a good time. There are boat cruises around the island (yes Ayutthaya is an island), the Elephant Kraal, Bang Pa Palace, Ayutthaya has a very nice Golf Course etc etc.
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For dinner head to Ban U Thong Restaurant and it's riverside terrace. They specialize in seafood and the local jumbo river prawns.
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If you want to try out a new area for drinks tonight get a tuk tuk / taxi over to the area around the New Cowboy Bar on Rojana Rd near the Ayutthaya Grand Hotel. They have live music every night.
6 Tuesday Pak Chong - 1N
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A couple of hours on the train will see you arrive at Pak Chong the Gateway to Isaan. Isaan is the North East, the Heartland, the Rice Bowl of Thailand and there are more Lao speakers here than there are in Laos. Isaan is renowned for it's fiery dishes and sticky rice. You'll love it. It is also the Gate way for the UNESCO listed Khao Yai National Park.
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If you ride a motorbike it would be a good time to hire one or a car for a about 5 days. Otherwise public transport will be fine. Stay at Chomklong Experience for the night.
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Have a late lunch and look around at the famous Ban Mai Chay Nam Restaurant and museum. Explore the town and end up at the Pak Chong Night Market by the Railway Station. It's open 5pm - 10pm every night of the week. Afterwards there are a few bars around to get to know the locals. Charlize Pub with live music at the Charlize Resort, Troy Bar, The Bester and Sports Bar.
7 - 8 Wednesday / Thursday Mu Si - 2N
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You might want to leave your main pack with the hotel for a few days and live out of your day pack. Ride / drive south towards Mu Si. Stop off along the way at the Chocolate Factory for morning coffee and pick up a few treats. The Hot Chocolate is recommended.
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Continue on and check in to Lala Mukha Tented Resort Khao Yai **** for a couple of nights - it has a Horizon Swimming Pool & Bar with lake views, Sun Loungers, Glamping tents and Tree houses, Free parking, patios with lake views, 24 hour desk and room service, buffet breakfast, High Tea, Cocktail Hour and BBQ facilities.
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This region is the centre of Thailand's wine industry, the two main ones nearby are PB Valley's Khao Yai Winery (have a nice lunch overlooking the vines) and Gran Monte. It is also home to many theme parks. A lot of them done as only the Thai's can. You can travel around Europe and the USA without leaving the valley. Spend your time here between getting as much out of the resort you can and seeing the nearby attractions. There is the Muak Lek Waterfall as well as nearby Ban Tha Chang Spring. Try some unusual ice cream flavours at Dairy Home after the waterfall.
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9 Friday Khao Yai National Park 1N
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The last two nights you were glamping and tonight it will be more like camping. But it is in a very special place. They don't hand out UNESCO listings to just anyone. Khao Yai National Park incorporates one of the largest intact monsoon forests remaining in mainland Asia. It has over 300 bird species and 20 large land mammal species. Lots of waterfalls, walking trails and the forests are teeming with wildlife. The park is one of the prettiest regions in Thailand. Elephants stroll along the roads and cars (and motorbikes) give way to them. You can go DIY or join a tour if that's more to your liking. Get here early and that way you'll have the best part of two days to look around. And then there's the night safari of course. The Tourist Information Centre is open from 8am - 6pm and will look after you.
Khao Yai Waterfall
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There are cabins available and 4 different accommodation zones. If it's not a public holiday or busy weekend you should be able to get a room when you arrive there. There is food available in the park but they are all closed by 6 pm. Bring some extra supplies from outside with you.
10 Saturday Pak Chong - 1N
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Spend as much time as you like looking around the park on the second day and when you're ready head back to the hotel in Pak Chong. Pick up your left luggage, drop your vehicle off hit the night market or any other favourite places and get ready for the next stage of your adventure.
11 Sunday Si Saket - 2N
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Another train trip will see you in Si Saket the town with many elephants and beautiful girls. You are right in the heart of Isaan now and wonderful Isaan food is widely available. Fortunately the Train station is in the centre of town right next to the night market which runs along the main road.
Som Tam - Green Papaya Salad 🌶️🌶️🌶️
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The train trip is around 5 hours so you'll probably arrive here in the afternoon. Have a swim at the hotel. Stroll around town and hit the night market for dinner. There are some popular bars outside of the train station. Try Cuckoo's Nest Pub & Grub, Peps Bar and Sugar Pub (live music). The main clubs in town are I-Bar (in the Prompiman Hotel), Nona Disco and Rong Lao Tam Mue.
12 Monday
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Once again hiring a motorbike here is the ideal way, or a car, or maybe a car and driver, or public transport. A bike or car would be handy to go exploring the town today. Try the Srilamduan Hotel for motorbike hire. Transport is always easy to arrange in Thailand. Just find someone with the transport you want then negotiate a price you are both happy with.
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Some of the sights around town are 80th Chaloem Phrakiat Park which has a lake and an island connected by a bridge with an
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Try the Café Racotta for lunch. They sell pies.
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Next to King Rama IX Forest Park is a lake where you can have a fish and enjoy a drink. If you catch a fish you can cook it up there too.
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Phra That Ruang Rong and Prasat Sa Kamphaeng Yai are two very interesting temples with some rather odd statuary including a large elephant and Thai Hell.
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Spend the evening in a similar way to last night. Plenty of places to eat and drink from.
13 - 14 Tuesday / Wednesday khun Han - 2N
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Next day leave your main pack at the hotel and make your way down to Khun Han and stay in the "real Thailand" at the Pongsin Resort & Restaurant for a couple of nights. They have a swimming pool, sun loungers, bar, restaurant and the best food in town. They also have a Café, Wellness and Massage Centre, ATV's and do exciting excursions into the surrounding countryside and rice fields. You can book them on Booking.com.
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While you're here you'll want to do a trip down to the controversial temple Preah Vihaer (the Cambodian name - Thai's know it as Phra Wihan) which sits on the Thai-Cambodian border. You can only just see it from Khao Phra Wihan Park due to the ongoing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, The other two main of interest are the Samrong Kiat (Ghost) Waterfall (small shop selling food and drink) and Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew the Temple of a Million Bottles (1.5 million of them).
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15 Thursday Si Saket - 1N
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Take your time getting back to Si Saket for another crack at the Night Market. Drop the vehicle off and pick up the left luggage. You've got a big weekend coming up.
16 - 18 Raw Friday / Sat / Sun Yasathon 3N
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Time for the main event. Catch the bus to Yasothon - the city of democracy, rockets, watermelon, Kwan pillows, Khit cloth, and jasmine rice. It all begins with Raw Friday. Hang on to your hat and stay out of the Denger Zone, it's launch time. Live music and dancing all night in the main street. See below for the rest of the details.
19 - 21 Roi Et - 3N
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You'll probably be looking for a rest after that weekend. So head off by bus to Roi Et one of Isaan's oldest cities. People have been living here for 2,800 years. There is a big lake at the centre of town with an island on it. The are around the lake comes alive at night time. It's very pleasant to stroll around and you can buy a bag of bread to feed the multitudes of fish. This place has the relaxing atmosphere you're probably looking for. Nearby is the 4th tallest Buddha in Thailand.
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Another good place to relax is a trip out to Beung Kleua a salt water lake which has a huge sandy beach lined with raft restaurants. What could be better. There is also a 9 hole golf course and a water park. There is a German Restaurant - the White Elephant, a great Night Market (aren't they all), lots of bars and restaurants (scenic ones around the lake) and some interesting day trips. Such as the beautiful Sri Chai Mongkol Grand Pagoda 80 kms away. You could combine it with a trip to Beung Kleua.
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You still have 9 days left on your visa and Roi Et has an airport so Thailand is your oyster. Take advantage of the cheap flights and you could spend a week in Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai - Krabi (Railay Beach, Ko Phi Phi) - or the islands off of Surat Thani (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan - Full Moon Parties) or off of Hat Yai /Trang (Ko Lipe Ko Lanta) etc).
BUN BANG FAI
WHEN -
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Friday to Sunday second weekend in May
LENGTH -
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3 days.
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The origin of this festival is hundreds of years old and based on fertility rites. You will see phallus symbols everywhere and cross dressing and playful lewd behavior. All part of the fun.
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Rain is made when the gods have sexy time. So the rockets represent penises which encourage them along. Or something like that. The higher they go the better the season.
WHERE -
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Phaya Taen (God of rain) Park in Yasothon by the Big Toad, 535 km NE of Bangkok
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BANGKOK - Stay at or near the New Siam Riverside - anywhere in the Banglamphu area will be fine.
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AYUTTHAYA - Stay at or near Tony's Place Beds & Breakfast *** - great location, swimming pool, must try Kiwi Italian Soda, not on Booking.com
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PAK CHONG -
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Stay at or near Chomklong Experience - both 1.5 km from the Railway Station - friendly riverside bungalows, close to riverside cafes and restaurants
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Or nearby Ban Mai Vintage - Swimming Pool, restaurant, garden
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MU SI - Lala Mukha Tented Resort Khao Yai **** - it has a Horizon Swimming Pool & Bar with lake views, Sun Loungers, Glamping tents and Tree houses, Free parking, patios with lake views, 24 hour desk and room service, buffet breakfast, High Tea, Cocktail Hour and BBQ facilities
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KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK - There are cabins available and 4 different accommodation zones. If it's not a public holiday or busy weekend you should be able to get a room when you arrive there
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SI SAKET - Stay at or near Gallery Design - SHA Extra Plus - Swimming Pool, Sun Terrace, Restaurant, Buffet Breakfast, snack bar, massage, sauna, 24 hour desk
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KHUN HAN - Pongsin Resort & Restaurant for a couple of nights. They have a swimming pool, sun loungers, bar, restaurant and the best food in town. They also have a Café, Wellness and Massage Centre, ATV's and do exciting excursions into the surrounding countryside and rice fields
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YASATHON - Stay at the JP Emerald Hotel - book as far out as possible with free cancellation with Booking.com - 24 hour desk and buffet breakfast
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ROI ET - M GRAND ** - Buffet Breakfast, Bar, Restaurant, 24 hour desk
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Giant home made rockets are launched to appease the gods for a good rainy season. 50,000 people attend and rocket teams come from Laos, Cambodia, Japan and South Korea.
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Teams can spend months getting their rockets ready. There are competitions for best looking, fastest and highest flight.
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Some weigh over 100 kgs and are 9 meters long.
INCLUDES -
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The air space is cleared and home made rockets are launched into the skies. Before this there is a rocket parade, there are parades with costumes, toads, penises, beauty pageants, cheer leader contest, street theater, cross dressing, live bands, weird costumes, a demonstration on how to hand-craft Bang Fai rockets, a light-and-sound and multimedia show.
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If the rocket is a dud the team gets thrown in the mud, cross dressing parades.
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There is a big fair at the park with lots of food and the local tipple - rice whiskey. Every night there is Isaan music and singing all night.
HIGHLIGHT -
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Rocket launching on Sunday
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Suvarnabhumi Airport (New Bangkok Airport) (BKK) - has direct flights to 103 cities in 48 countries, covering everywhere except the Americas. They should link up with Europe, Asia or the UAE. Take the shuttle into town or an official taxi if there are 2 or more of you.
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Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) - has direct flights to 73 cities in 16 countries in Asia. It also has 25 domestic flights and is the cheap airline hub. There is a free shuttle service between the two airports which takes an hour or two depending on traffic. Catch an airport taxi into the city.
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Roi Et Airport (ROI) - has flights to the above two airports. The airport is about 18 kms north east of the city.
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Once you have bought your airline tickets get some travel insurance to cover yourself
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BRING -
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Ear plugs, Water, Sunscreen, Hat, Umbrella
SAFETY -
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Stay away from the launch pad at least 200 meters, stand under shelter - what goes up must come down
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Drinking Rocket Fuel (Lao Khao) all day and dancing all night. It's a great party
TIPS -
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Start the trip on a Thursday so you get to the Festival on the right day
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Get leech socks for Khao Yai National Park. You can buy them in the Souvenir Shop in the Park.
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Being a foreigner (Farang) will make you popular and famous for a few days at the Festival
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Travel as light as possible
PROGRAM -
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DAY 1 RAW FRIDAY - Grand Parade and Rocket Procession (mainly mock rockets for safety reasons). The main street is blocked off and at least 30 stages are set up next to each other on both sides of the road which stretches for about a kilometer. They are populated with bands, DJ's, dancing girls, big sound systems, comedy shows and party people. The place is packed and the show goes on all night.
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DAY 2 SATURDAY - International Rockets join the parade, with dancers, musicians and drinkers
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DAY 3 SUNDAY - Some serious rocket launching today.
Information for this page was sourced from the following websites - Thailand Now, Siam Blades, Travelbeginsat40 and ItsbetterinThailand.