Rocket festivals in Issan

[sinbin]

22 hours ago, Gary A said:

There was a lot of betting. That year it was difficult to judge the height because they were all going through and above the clouds. A big part of the judging score is how straight they fly. They ended up timing the falling debris to determine which ones went the highest.

I'm sorry, serious question, but how can they time the fall time if the rockets were through and above the clouds? They wouldn't be able to see the point of decent.

 

Quote

There was a lot of betting

Aahh the real reason why the Rocklet Festival is kept alive. 76 Provinces in Thailand. Traditionally only 6 take part.

[The manic]

And this looks great Too! 

ww.tatnews.org/event/bun-luang-phi-ta-khon-festival-2017/

[Gary A]

2 minutes ago, sinbin said:

I'm sorry, serious question, but how can they time the fall time if the rockets were through and above the clouds? They wouldn't be able to see the point of decent.

 

Aahh the real reason why the Rocklet Festival is kept alive. 76 Provinces in Thailand. Traditionally only 6 take part.

The timer starts when the rocket is launched. If the rocket doesn't go straight up and they can't see the debris come down, there would be a low score anyways.

[The manic]

5 minutes ago, sinbin said:

I'm sorry, serious question, but how can they time the fall time if the rockets were through and above the clouds? They wouldn't be able to see the point of decent.

 

Aahh the real reason why the Rocklet Festival is kept alive. 76 Provinces in Thailand. Traditionally only 6 take part.

Yawn 

[The manic]

4 hours ago, The manic said:

Thailand's Skyrocket Festivals are as below:

 

Yasothon Province

Yasothon's Thai Rocket Festival 2017

May 13th, 2017 : Rocket Parade

May 14th,2017 : Launch Skyrocket 

For more info, please contact TAT Ubon Ratchathani Office. Tel :0 4524 3770 , 0 4525 0714

 

Roi-et Province

Pratum Rat Rocket Festival 2017

June 3rd, 2017 : Rocket Parade

June 4th, 2017 : Launch Skyrocket 

 

Suwannaphum Rocket Festival 2017

June 3rd, 2017 : Rocket Parade

June 4th, 2017 : Launch Skyrocket 

 

Phanom Phrai Rocket Festival 2017

June 9th, 2017 : Rocket Parade

June 10th, 2017 : Launch Skyrocket

 

Boun Phavet Festival 2017

March 3rd-5th, 2017
For more info, please contact TAT Khon Kaen Office. Tel :0 4322 7714 to 5

 

Kalasin Province

Kutwa's Skyrocket Festival 2017

May 20th, 2017 : Rocket Parade

May 21st, 2017 : Launch Skyrocket 

For more info, please contact TAT Khon Kaen Office. Tel :0 4322 7714 to 5

 

Maha Sarakham Province
Phayakkhaphum Phisai Rocket Festival 2017

May 20th, 2017 : Rocket Parade

May 21st, 2017 : Launch Skyrocket 

For more info, please contact TAT Khon Kaen Office. Tel :0 4322 7714 to 5

 

Khon Kaen Province

Kranuan Rocket Festival 2017

May 27th, 2017 : Rocket Parade

May 28th, 2017 : Launch Skyrocke

For more info, please contact TAT Khon Kaen Office. Tel :0 4322 7714 to 5

 

 

Udon Thani Province
Lan's Thai Rocket Festival 2017

May 8th-11th 

For more info, please contact TAT Udon Thani Province Office. Tel :0 4232 5406 to 7

 

If you need more detail of each Skyrocket Festival, please kindly contact directly to TAT local Office or dial TAT Hotline 1672.

Thank you and have a good evening!

 

https://www.tourismthailand.org/home

 

 

Best Regards,
(Mr.) Sitthiporn Puakmanee
Marketing Officer
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pattaya Office
609 Moo. 10 Phra Tamnak Rd. Pattaya City,Chonburi 20150
Tel. +66 (0) 3842 7667 Fax. +66 (0) 3842 9113

E. [email protected], [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time for a break.

 

Quote thim

I believe sisaket will be 27-28

[Rhys]

...these can be fun to watch, but wear your sneakers as you may have to run... Thai culture..fun...

[The manic]

I have just had a great time in Kutwa in Kalasin and last week was in Yasathon. It  was brilliant. Next weekend I plan to go Khan Kaen for the rocket festival which I think is in Kai Nual. Does anybody have any useful information. Thanks. The weekend after I plan to go to Roi et for the rocket festivals. It has two. Does anyone know which is the best one? They fall on the same weekend. Any advice really appreciated but specious and vexational comments are not needed. Thanks again for any positive responses

[The manic]

The Khon Kaen Rock seem to be in Dunsat not just kranuan. 

Edited May 27, 2017 by The manic

[sinbin]

Now that the 'Rocket Festival' is no more in Buriram Province they've come up with a much better alternative. They have inter village competitions. I say 'better' because the day involves everyone, not just the professional rocketeers and serial gamblers. As muddy as the ground was a great day had by all and no one killed or injured.

[Andrew Dwyer]

What is going on in the 2nd photo ?

[sinbin]

16 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

What is going on in the 2nd photo ?

A large vegetable is tied around the waste to dangle freely between the legs. The competitor then has to use it to hit a ping pong ball down the course which is then handed over to the next team mate. The teams are made up from the villages within the Amphur.

Today's alternative to 'rocket firing' is/was a 50km bike ride competition followed by a cooking competition. Prizes given. All far better fun than watching a rocket go up and then come down. The finally tonight is a Katoey beauty competition. Hopefully the rain holds off.

[pee paub]

As opposed to this?

 

 

[sinbin]

32 minutes ago, pee paub said:

As opposed to this?

Far better. the Rocket festival isn't really a Thai event. It's Loas tradition. There is no facility to let women and children take part in the festivities other than the usual parade through the town/village. Thereafter the men take over. 'Boys and their toys', as they say.

 

At least with the banning of the rockets it has opened up the 2 days for it to become a family festival where all  can participate and stay safe. 

With those spinning wheels they only have to have one propulsion rocket misfire and your guess is as good as anyone's where it will end up.

 

Nah, I have concerns about people, and my family, to see that the rockets need to be brought under tight control and an alternative found. What they have done around here as an alternative I have to tip my hat to as they have brought a feel good family/community feeling to the whole event.

Edited May 28, 2017 by sinbin

[pee paub]

15 minutes ago, sinbin said:

Far better. the Rocket festival isn't really a Thai event. It's Loas tradition. There is no facility to let women and children take part in the festivities other than the usual parade through the town/village. Thereafter the men take over. 'Boys and their toys', as they say.

 

At least with the banning of the rockets it has opened up the 2 days for it to become a family festival where all  can participate and stay safe. 

With those spinning wheels they only have to have one propulsion rocket misfire and your guess is as good as anyone's where it will end up.

 

Nah, I have concerns about people, and my family, to see that the rockets need to be brought under tight control and an alternative found. What they have done around here as an alternative I have to tip my hat to as they have brought a feel good family/community feeling to the whole event.

Hope you enjoyed the cooking competition.

[Jai Dee]

2 hours ago, sinbin said:

The finally tonight is a Katoey beauty competition.

Always good for a laugh!

Their exaggerated over-femininity puts a smile on everyone's faces. 

Photos please.

[sinbin]

1 hour ago, pee paub said:

Hope you enjoyed the cooking competition.

Sure did. The missus won a thousand Baht.

22 minutes ago, Jai Dee said:

Photos please.

Might be difficult. Raining cats and dogs at the moment. If it keeps up its likely to get cancelled.

 

Anyway Pee Paub asked me a question 'As opposed to this?' Post ID 72. Take a look at this video of what happens when they go wrong.  Now would you like to be stood watching a cooking competition or standing next to one of these?

 

 

 

[pee paub]

9 minutes ago, sinbin said:

Sure did. The missus won a thousand Baht.

Might be difficult. Raining cats and dogs at the moment. If it keeps up its likely to get cancelled.

 

Anyway Pee Paub asked me a question 'As opposed to this?' Post ID 72. Take a look at this video of what happens when they go wrong.  Now would you like to be stood watching a cooking competition or standing next to one of these?

 

 

 

Of course I wouldn't be standing next to it. Do you see anyone other than the participants anywhere near it? I also would not likely be standing anywhere near a cooking competition, but if that is what excites you, to each his own.. 

[sinbin]

4 hours ago, pee paub said:

I also would not likely be standing anywhere near a cooking competition, but if that is what excites you, to each his own.. 

I did have better things to do but when her indoors is partaking in the competition one really has to be in the audience to show support.

 

4 hours ago, Jai Dee said:

Photos please.

Due to my kids going to school in the morning and the lateness of the contest I couldn't get photo's of the katoey's on stage. So I hope these will do?

[billd766]

4 hours ago, sinbin said:

Sure did. The missus won a thousand Baht.

Might be difficult. Raining cats and dogs at the moment. If it keeps up its likely to get cancelled.

 

Anyway Pee Paub asked me a question 'As opposed to this?' Post ID 72. Take a look at this video of what happens when they go wrong.  Now would you like to be stood watching a cooking competition or standing next to one of these?

 

 

 

 

 

Great video though.

[The manic]

Did anybody notice that on the list I sent there is no mention of Sisiket? Is that because it is named differently - Last year it was  Ras al Salai I think and I stayed at the pensiree resort...near a scrapyard......Anybody got any ideas?

On 5/3/2017 at 5:34 PM, Jai Dee said:

Fantastic!

Thanks The manic.

But where is the reference to Sisaket?

[The manic]

It has been a fantastic rocket season for me. At Kutwa I joined team and went all the way to the launch pad and help load the rockets. Amazing, great fun. The day before the parade was beautiful and heavily orientated to Thai traditional crafts , food, music, basket weaving, and silk weaving etc. It was great. At Kranuan the parades and processions were great fun with people dancing in the streets. But the rockets were a small community event. Apparently Dunsat, 20k away was the place to be two days earlier. Roi et Suwanapoon was amazing with the launch pad area set by an idyllic lake. I was given VIP treatment and sat with the judges. I have seen sun rise and sun set on the grand canyon. I have slept in the shade of the giant Buddhas in Afghanistan that the Taliban destroyed. I watched the lake there freeze and melt lie a Salvador Dali painting. I have ridden horses in the Himalayas and trecked in the Hindu kush. I have seen Pink Floyd payin with the rising sun behind them whilst on Crowley Acid. I have travelled route 66 and driven along the Big Sur. All great experiences but most exhilarating of all....................Kutwa and Yasathon Rocket festivals. The Buriram pathetic substitute is silly plastic, nonsense. As is the floating market in Pattaya. Tourist Junk.   Anyone who wants an insight into the joyous reality of The Thai Rocket Festivals check out the videos I made which are very short 

Or these

 

Edited June 5, 2017 by The manic
missing info

[The manic]

On 5/27/2017 at 8:44 PM, sinbin said:

Now that the 'Rocket Festival' is no more in Buriram Province they've come up with a much better alternative. They have inter village competitions. I say 'better' because the day involves everyone, not just the professional rocketeers and serial gamblers. As muddy as the ground was a great day had by all and no one killed or injured.

Synthetic, plastic nonsense. 

Edited June 5, 2017 by The manic
missing info

[The manic]

Not your business if people gamble. People get injured at many events but we do not ban them. As for professional rocketeers. That is drivel. The local men the community make these rockets with donations from the communities who love them. The Morlam dancers and music players are all part of this splendid ancient Asian tradition. I set up this thread to get genuine information from rocket lovers not for anti Thai, Racists, puritans to use use it as a platform to promote their own dull, fearful life! The negative comments are vexatious and time wasting. Next week I am going to the one of the biggest where the local people donate up to two million baht for the big rockets which are an important part of Thai culture and history. The myths behind the rockets and the rain - the toad kings -the giant serpents- tragic love and reincarnation are part of the warp and weft of Thailand. What a Blast! The plastic tea party at Burriram is infantile and meaningless. Pathetic..

[ThaiHops]

Hey..the Manic...

I am new here, but was at Yaso the last 4 years, and Phanom Phrai this year,  in June...

I am really keen to go back to Phanom Phrai next year (2018) and am after information on possible dates  ?  Is it always the 2nd weekend in June ?

I know a long way off, but if you hear anything, can you please let me know ?

Best Regards...love your videos...

[The manic]

On 5/11/2017 at 9:27 PM, Gary A said:

Yasothon claims to have had the original rocket festival. A small town called Phanom Phrai, south and a little east of Yasothon vigorously disputes that claim. They still have brawls every year, The last time I saw a big rocket festival was in Phanom Phrai. They have a big parade of the rockets heading for the launch site, Some of them are huge, probably about 40 feet long. I had a little Suzuki 4X4. Shortly after the launches finished the sky opened up and the rain came down in buckets. Many pickup trucks were stuck in the mud. I told my girlfriends brother, Arkom to find a long strong rope and we would pull some of them out. He thought I was crazy and that we would get stuck too. Everyone was covered with mud, top to bottom. I have no idea of how many we pulled out. Of course I would take no money but we HAD to have a drink with them after we pulled them out. I got drunk to the point that Arkom had to drive me back to the house. That was probably the most fun I ever had upcountry.

 

That was the first year that they had to ignite the rockets electrically from a small bunker. Before that, it was common for a rocket to blow up and people were injured or killed. No injuries that year and no rockets blew up. Some fizzled and that drew a lot of laughs. Those people do know how to party.

I can confirm Phanom Prai is bigger than Yasathon in Every way. It was brilliant, the food, the dancing the music and of course the Rockets...they six large launch pads and a dozen small ones. Brilliant, fantastical and fantastic joyous fun. To get a sense of of it try this link 

 

Kutwa in Kalasin is brilliant too.

 

Edited December 3, 2017 by The manic
Wrong video

[The manic]

I discovered two more festivals one at Bahn Sat Keow a week after Phanom Prai and about ten l away. There is another mid week between the festivals at Bahn Sat Keow and Phanom Prai at Amphoe Artsamat. Although these are all in Roi et if you check the map you will see Yasothon is pretty near. There is a good bar in Phanom Prai and a small 'resort' also with rooms ..acomodation can be busy during the rocket season which is massive.

Bahn Sat Keow below

The only disappointment was the Kra Nuan event which was very small and local. It only had a temporary launch pad but you can watch the old men teaching the boys how to make the rockets.  I understand the real big boy rockets near Kra nuan are mid week at a place called Dansat. Does anybody have information about Dansat?

Also I hear Sisisket may have a new style of rocket flying horiziontally and based on accuracy and targeting. Does anyone know about this. Thanks for all positive contribution and if the Buriram Bore floods this thread I shall enter a formal complaint to the moderators. This thread is designed to share information about all matters pertaining to Bun Bang Fai Rocket festivals in Issan. I have not finalised my dates but they will be similar to last year except different by about 9 days  but probably the same weekend. I am confirming with the mayor Sawanapoon in Roi Et which has a lovely lakeside launch pad and I am calling my pals in Phanom Prai about the dates around there. However, last week I went to Lopburi for the money feast but it was cancelled at the last minute with no explanation. In my opinion the all the rocket festivals are great but the biggest and best are Kutwa in Kalasin although the procession is fairly quiet the rockets are round!, Yasathon is also a must and Phanom Prai is the 'Royal Ascot' of the rocket festivals.

For more info on Thai festivals www.dijahtalarts.com

[The manic]

A good sensible overview of the Glorious rockets festivals and other festivals and celebrations through out Issan. Very good overview.

 

http://mutmee.com/050040_rocket_festivals.htm

Edited January 12, 2018 by The manic

[The manic]

I now have the Rocket festival for 2018

 

Yasothon Province

Yasothon's Thai Rocket Festival 2017

May 13th, 2017 : Rocket Parade/ May 12, 2018  (07.00-13.00)

May 14th,2017 : Launch Skyrocket / May 13, 2018 (07.00-16.00)

For more info, please contact TAT Ubon Ratchathani Office. Tel :0 4524 3770 , 0 4525 0714

 

Roi-et Province

Pratum Rat Rocket Festival 2017 / June 1-3, 2018

June 3rd, 2017 : Rocket Parade

June 4th, 2017 : Launch Skyrocket 

 

Suwannaphum Rocket Festival 2017

June 3rd, 2017 : Rocket Parade/ June 2, 2018

June 4th, 2017 : Launch Skyrocket/ June 3, 2018

 

Phanom Phrai Rocket Festival 2017……. 2018 29 -30 may **

June 9th, 2017 : Rocket Parade/ May 29, 2018

June 10th, 2017 : Launch Skyrocket/ May 30, 2018

 

Boun Phavet Festival 2017 Laos / No Information

March 3rd-5th, 2017
For more info, please contact TAT Khon Kaen Office. Tel :0 4322 7714 to 5

 

Kalasin Province (Kudwa Municipality)

Kutwa's Skyrocket Festival 2017

May 20th, 2017 : Rocket Parade/ May 19, 2018  (14.00)

May 21st, 2017 : Launch Skyrocket / May 20, 2018 (all day)

For more info, please contact TAT Khon Kaen Office. Tel :0 4322 7714 to 5

 

Maha Sarakham Province
Phayakkhaphum Phisai Rocket Festival 2017

May 20th, 2017 : Rocket Parade/ May 19, 2018

May 21st, 2017 : Launch Skyrocket / May 20, 2018

For more info, please contact TAT Khon Kaen Office. Tel :0 4322 7714 to 5

 

Khon Kaen Province

Kranuan Rocket Festival 2017 My notes and amendments**

This is wrong the main display is probably in Dansat

May 27th, 2017 : Rocket Parade

May 28th, 2017 : Launch Skyrocke

For more info, please contact TAT Khon Kaen Office. Tel :0 4322 7714 to 5

Not Kranuan  probably Dansat ***the schedule is not set yet, around May 26-27, 2018 (4^th weekend of May)***

 

 

Udon Thani Province
Lan's Thai Rocket Festival 2017/ April 27-30, 2018

May 8th-11th 

For more info, please contact TAT Udon Thani Province Office. Tel :0 4232 5406 to 7

 

If you need more detail of each Skyrocket Festival, please kindly contact directly to TAT local Office or dial TAT Hotline 1672.

Thank you and have a good evening!

 

https://www.tourismthailand.org/home

 

 

Best Regards,
(Mr.) Sitthiporn Puakmanee
Marketing Officer
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pattaya Office
609 Moo. 10 Phra Tamnak Rd. Pattaya City,Chonburi 20150
Tel. +66 (0) 3842 7667 Fax. +66 (0) 3842 9113

E. [email protected], [email protected]

 

Try the new Yahoo Mail

My notes and amendments**

 

In Khon Kaen Not Kranuan  probably Dansat

 

Phanom Phrai Rocket Festival …….2018 29 -20 may

 

 Midweek another one near by between Roi et and Phanom Phra in a place called Ampour Samat dated before

 Sat Kheow near Phanom Prai which is the weekend after the main Phanom Phrai celebration.the weekend after 

Ban Sat Keow. The exact date of Bhan Sat Keow is Unspecified but usualy the weekend after Phanom Phrai.  Ampour Samat celebration seem to be after the Phanom Phra Festival mid week but before Ban Sat Keow Rockets

 

 

If anyone wants to ask for any advice and has any questions I am happy to answer and contribute what I know, The Best Three are Phanom Phrai, Yasothon and Kalasin the latter is near Kuchinarai not Kalasin city

I have no information yet for Sisaket

There is another one in Roi Et but I have not been to it Amphur Pathumrat - 1- 3

In Suwanapooni Roi et the festival has an extra couple of days 30th to 3rd May I jave attatched a list

 

Rocket Festivals-Isan.docx

[Katia]

I'm somehow misreading the entry for Udon-- is it that it was May 8-11 last year and going on right now this year?

[The manic]

I started this thread but since started another more relevant one. How do I ask the admin staff to merge the two so the info is more relevant and up to date.