Thailand Rocket Festival in Yasothon - Bun Bang Fai

Friday: Day One - The Party

There is no airport in Yasothon so you fly into Ubon Ratchathani or Udon Thani and take a taxi or bus to Yasothon. Upon arriving you are greeted by massive stages lining the main drag Chaeng Sanit Road; each with a stack of speakers that rival Woodstock. They streets and neat and tidy and the beer delivery trucks are unloading. As soon as the sun begins to fall the stages light up like a Bang Fai. Then the food and beverages start flowing which signals the beginning of the festival. The partying does not stop for anyone and even if you were not invited you are welcomed like family.

Saturday: Day Two - The Parade

The second day is the rocket procession day. Modern-day rockets are mounted on vehicles or traditional carts to be drawn in the parade. The "Bang Fai" rockets come in different sizes. For example, the Bang Fai Kilo is packed with one kilogram of nitrate, while the Bang Fai Meun - 12 kilograms, and the Bang Fai Saen - 120 kilograms of nitrate. The rocket-making technicians play a vital role in deciding the right amount of nitrate to be mixed with the charcoal. With the wrong formula, a rocket could blow up prematurely before it is launched high into the sky. The rocket cylinders are usually made from the bottom half of the bamboo. A colorful afternoon parade is followed by an evening fair. At both, bawdy songs are sung and suggestive dances are performed. Men dressed in outrageous women’s clothing prance through the streets. Almost everyone, including elderly women, gets roaring drunk. It’s a wonder the next morning that anyone can find the launching pad let alone the fuses. It is also a day for the ordination of novices with festive celebrations follows merit-making rituals. Dance, music, song and revelry are integral elements of the processions as the parade of beautifully decorated rockets wind their way through the village on their way to the temple offering an opportunity for the residents and visitors to admire the impressive works of art.

Sunday: Day Three - The Rocket Festival

The rockets are finally launched on the third day in which various rocket contests are held. With the launch of the rockets, predictions are made with regard to the fortunes of the coming harvest. The Rocket Festival in Yasothon Province is spectacular and provides a tremendous opportunity to experience Isan-style festive fun. The Rocket Festival stems from the belief that when this merit-making ceremony is held, gods and spirits will reciprocate with seasonal rain and a bountiful harvest.