Outdoor Cinemas

[Nongwahyay]

On two of our 2-yearly trips to Isaan from our home in Berlin I experienced what I thought an awful experience, whích the locals, however, relish and get quite excited about............... a huge screen was set up at the edge of the road in the village (Nong Wah Yai, near Nongbualamphu) surrounded by the biggest speakers I have ever seen. By 8 or 9 pm the locals had gathered to watch an all-night showing of films, accompanied by food stalls etc. I stood at least 40 yards back from the speakers and felt as though I was being almost knocked off my feet by the incredible volume being blasted out of the speakers. The sound was totally distorted and at such a level that even at that distance I wouldn´t have been able to understand a word said by anyone next to me. How those sitting in front of the speakers survived the night (it went on the the early hours of the morning) I just do not know!!!! The noise was so loud that even in bed, wearing ear-plugs, at a distance of at least 300 yards, there was no way I could get to sleep.

2 years later, on another visit to the in-laws, we were "fortunate" enough to witness a repeat performance - this time, however, the road through the village was closed off at 8pm and the screen set up spanning the road, right next to our house. One column of speakers was set up in in our front garden, no more than 3 yards from our bedroom!!!! Remembering that the performance goes on till around 3 in the morning, I told my wife that there was no way I was going to spend the night there and she made arrangements for us to spend the night at her brother´s house in the next village. I gave my nephews and nieces ear plugs that I always have with me in Thailand (flor reasons which you readers will understand.....) and wished them the best of luck - as they all had to go to school the next morning.

Have any other readers experienced this "entertainment"?????? The children went to school the next day (no, they didn´t sleep a wink, either...) and the locals went into the fields.......... and a good time was had by all........................

[jdinasia]

man ... that sounds like FUN to me! <no sarcasm ... it really does>

[The Dan Sai Kid]

man ... that sounds like FUN to me! <no sarcasm ... it really does>

I agree. Up-country life can be pretty laid back most of the time -it's great to do something different.

The only thing is I get uncomfortable sitting on a mat for 3 hours

[jdinasia]

i go to temple fairs ... and any odd thing I can find anywhere! am gonna have to ask my landlord about special events here in Kamala! Bound to be some Muslim things that are totally out of my experience that I should try

[toptuan]

I spent three days in a village in central Isaan (Surin Province) which hosted a near-identical event--movies all night in an open field. We all dragged our grass mats out into a muddy rice field, and sat in front of all those skyscraper-sized speakers, while frogs hopped into and out of our laps. The screen was mammoth--akin to the old drive-in movies of the 50's in North America.

We ate tons of snacks, laughed, drank beer, and socialized all night, and watched the movies a tad bit.

Virtually 100% of the village turned out (300-400 people)--a great "bonding" experience for the whole community. I thought it was wonderful fun!

The idea is that you DON'T go back to your hut to try to sleep until it's all over. What a party pooper!

[Nignoy]

On two of our 2-yearly trips to Isaan from our home in Berlin I experienced what I thought an awful experience, whích the locals, however, relish and get quite excited about............... a huge screen was set up at the edge of the road in the village (Nong Wah Yai, near Nongbualamphu) surrounded by the biggest speakers I have ever seen. By 8 or 9 pm the locals had gathered to watch an all-night showing of films, accompanied by food stalls etc. I stood at least 40 yards back from the speakers and felt as though I was being almost knocked off my feet by the incredible volume being blasted out of the speakers. The sound was totally distorted and at such a level that even at that distance I wouldn´t have been able to understand a word said by anyone next to me. How those sitting in front of the speakers survived the night (it went on the the early hours of the morning) I just do not know!!!! The noise was so loud that even in bed, wearing ear-plugs, at a distance of at least 300 yards, there was no way I could get to sleep.

2 years later, on another visit to the in-laws, we were "fortunate" enough to witness a repeat performance - this time, however, the road through the village was closed off at 8pm and the screen set up spanning the road, right next to our house. One column of speakers was set up in in our front garden, no more than 3 yards from our bedroom!!!! Remembering that the performance goes on till around 3 in the morning, I told my wife that there was no way I was going to spend the night there and she made arrangements for us to spend the night at her brother´s house in the next village. I gave my nephews and nieces ear plugs that I always have with me in Thailand (flor reasons which you readers will understand.....) and wished them the best of luck - as they all had to go to school the next morning.

Have any other readers experienced this "entertainment"?????? The children went to school the next day (no, they didn´t sleep a wink, either...) and the locals went into the fields.......... and a good time was had by all........................

we have enjoyed this form of entertainment a few times in a small village near Leong Nok Tha, Yasothon Province, it was quite a shock for my english wife who was experiencing village life for the first time, still all great fun Nignoy

[legendarysurfer]

My wife tells me these Outdoor Cinemas were a lot more prevalent before each house got TV's. Also, the old-style Morlam shows were even more popular. Now they are popular again, but much more expensive and more of the variety of singers with dancing girls than the old style narrative with singing/music. We hosted one of these modern Morlam shows in the summer of 2005 in Nong Soong Pleui, not far from Nong Wah Yai. We did this to honor a neighbor and good friend of the family. Yes, the bonding is great, but you have to watch out for the fights that sometimes breakout amongst the young turks who feel compelled to do such things, later in the night, when alchohol starts to mess the mix.

Edited August 28, 2006 by legendarysurfer

[Guest endure]

I've never seen a village movie but I have seen Chang Peuk in Chiang Mai completely blocked because the big screen outside the Novotel had a Man U match on