Report Kamphaeng Phet's Rocket Festival Sparks Belief in Serpent-Omen Fortune

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

In the midst of steady rains across Thailand, the northeastern community in Kamphaeng Phet province captivated many as they celebrated their ancient rain-seeking tradition, the Boon Bang Fai festival, also known as the rocket festival. Held at the Bueang Samran Reservoir in Mueang Kamphaeng Phet district on June 3, the event drew locals who believe in Phaya Than, a deity thought to send rain necessary for agricultural prosperity.

 

This vibrant festival, conducted during the sixth lunar month, began with a lively procession of over 300 participants adorned in traditional attire, including dancers and performers, along a 2-kilometre route. Residents lined the streets to observe this colourful spectacle, a significant cultural event for the community.

 

The festival's official opening was led by Sunthorn Rattanakorn, chairman of the Kamphaeng Phet Provincial Administrative Organisation, accompanied by local leaders such as Nuntipat Phiromkit and Boonrit Khitkan. The program featured not only traditional performances but also rocket-launching competitions, where participants vied for cash prizes.

 

A highlight of the ceremony was the launch of a large rocket, ignited following the chairman's signal with a smaller rocket. As it soared into the sky and descended, the smoke trail twisted into the shape of a serpent, forming the numbers 6, 9, and 3, according to many attendees' interpretations.

 

This phenomenon was perceived by the gathered crowd as a positive omen from Phaya Than, acknowledging their ceremonial efforts and purportedly promising good fortune. The occurrence left participants expressing gratitude and hopeful that their agricultural endeavours would be blessed with ample rain and prosperity.

 

Such events underscore the deep-rooted cultural traditions and beliefs within Thai communities, blending spiritual heritage with communal festivities and reinforcing the collective spirit through shared experiences and hopes for abundance.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-04

 

 

[impulse]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

forming the numbers 6, 9, and 3, according to many attendees' interpretations.

 

69 and a threesome, or just lottery numbers?

 

[Magictoad]

I love the Rocket festivals and travel all round Issan searching them out. The biggest one is at Phanom Phrai with the largest rockets but the most spectacular is at Kutwa, in Kalasin province where the local people make round rockets with between twenty thousand to fifty thousand people attending. NOT TO BE MISSED IF YOU LIVE IN THAILAND!!

[Magictoad]

With regards to this festival which I haven't been to; The Naga is intrinsic to Thailand  and Thai Buddhism. I love them. My friend took to a place in Udon Thani where there was a Naga footpath about a mile long!

I made this video when I was there