Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

A massive rocket launched during an Isaan Bun Bang Fai festival crashed through the roof of a rice mill warehouse in Maha Sarakham province on Saturday, in a terrifying but injury-free incident.

 

The launch took place at Wat Weluwasri, located near Nong Nam Ban Na Lao in Nong Hai sub-district, Wapi Pathum district. The event was part of a traditional northeastern rocket festival held from 8 to 10 May, with multiple launches taking place daily.

 

On the evening of 10 May, the largest rocket of the event, known as a “Bung Fai Sip Lan” (ten-million rocket), was prepared for launch. The first rocket of this type, sponsored by the Nong Hai Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, was fired successfully.

 

The second rocket, sponsored by Chokcharoen Rice Mill, soared into the sky to cheers from local spectators. However, the celebrations quickly turned to alarm when it was reported that the rocket had crashed into the roof of Chokcharoen Rice Mill’s warehouse, over one kilometre from the launch site near the water’s edge.

 

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, as the rocket struck an unoccupied section of the building. The rice mill, which had sponsored the launch, has yet to file a police report or indicate whether any legal action will be taken. A discussion with the event organisers is expected before a final decision is made.

 

This is not the first serious incident linked to the ten-million rocket. In 2023, another rocket exploded on the launch pad before lift-off, injuring eight people, two of whom required hospitalisation at Wapi Pathum Hospital, while the others received treatment from local medics.

 

The Bun Bang Fai festival remains a vibrant cultural tradition in Thailand’s northeast, but safety concerns continue to mount with each mishap.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-05-12.

 

 

6 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

rocket had crashed into the roof of Chokcharoen Rice Mill’s warehouse, over one kilometre from the launch site 

 

The rice mill, which had sponsored the launch, has yet to file a police report

Ha ha, hilarious, the idiots lost control of the rocket, wipes out sponsors rice warehouse 😂

 

And here I thought it was the Russian capsule about to re-enter the atmosphere, if it hasn't already, that is.

Up up in the air where it lands I do not care !!!!    The same with the Loy Krathong lanterns 

11 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The second rocket, sponsored by Chokcharoen Rice Mill, soared into the sky to cheers from local spectators. However, the celebrations quickly turned to alarm when it was reported that the rocket had crashed into the roof of Chokcharoen Rice Mill’s warehouse, over one kilometre from the launch site near the water’s edge.

 

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, as the rocket struck an unoccupied section of the building. The rice mill, which had sponsored the launch, has yet to file a police report or indicate whether any legal action will be taken. A discussion with the event organisers is expected before a final decision is made.

 

That's karma giving the proverbial finger to all you guys that say karma doesn't exist... 

 

I'd go out and buy a lottery ticket, but I won't arrive until mid-week.

 

On 5/12/2025 at 5:06 AM, Georgealbert said:

The second rocket, sponsored by Chokcharoen Rice Mill, soared into the sky to cheers from local spectators. However, the celebrations quickly turned to alarm when it was reported that the rocket had crashed into the roof of Chokcharoen Rice Mill’s warehouse, over one kilometre from the launch site near the water’s edge.

The irony....

Will go to Yasothon on the coming weekend...have to see it in real 😉

1 hour ago, xn47140 said:

Will go to Yasothon on the coming weekend...have to see it in real 😉

The best and biggest is Phanom Phrai and the next best one with round rockets is in Kutwa in Kalasin. Yasothon is the most famous one and most commercial.  It was the first one I went to 

5 hours ago, xn47140 said:

Will go to Yasothon on the coming weekend...have to see it in real 😉

Check your Personal Accident policy and take a hardhat. 

This video was taken in Roi Et province, a few hundred yards from my house and a few days after I moved here permanently in May 2023.

The rocket doesn't get going until around 18 seconds in to the video - we knew it was going to launch but there wasn't any countdown so I kept rolling because I didn't want to miss it.

I stopped the video when the smoke blew over the top of us.  The rocket, however, was still climbing.  The smoke cleared us quickly and I started filming again as it continued upwards.  That video is 63 seconds long.  At the rate of climb these big rockets have, it must have got to 20,000-25,000 feet.  Extra points are awarded if the rocket lands close to where it was launched from - we did see some drop down into the fields around us, raising a big cheer from the locals.

My vantage point to watch this was well away from the launch area.  These things are built by farmers who, unsurprisingly, are not rocket scientists. What could possibly go wrong?  Accidents do happen but, fortunately, not when I was watching.
 

Oh, alright then, as you're curious here's the second half of the flight... 😉
 

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Hubbing!