Rocket festivals in Thailand
In May in Thailand, you have the opportunity to attend surprising festivals, the rocket festivals especially organised in North-eastern Thailand, also known as Isan, a region where almost all communities have their own rocket festival and Northern Thailand. Off course there are some places where the event is bigger and attracts more people but they all are very festive moments.
Rocket Festivals in Thailand
When I talk about rocket festivals, or Bun Bang Fai festivals (ประเพณีบุญบั้งไฟ), don’t expect to see a big event about space conquest and ships to explore March, the rockets here are homemade black powder rockets.
The rocket festival marks the beginning of the rainy season in Thailand and aims to appease the spirits of the rain. It would ensure people will be blessed with abundant rain for their rice plantations. According to egends, the origins of this ancient tradition goes back to the pre-Buddhist era and the rockets have only been introduced in the 9th century when the powder became known in Southeast Asia.
The celebrations usually last 3-4 days and include music and dance performances, parades in the streets with dancers and musicians and floats on the second day and end on the third day with the launch of the rockets from the morning to the evening.
And of course, there is a rocket competition rewarding the one that went the highest and the furthest.
In this video (in French), I showed you, the Yasothon Rocket Festival 2017. Yasothon helds the most famous Rocket Festival in Thailand.
The main rocket festivals
The biggest Rockets festivals in Thailand take place in Isan. The most famous one, as I said before, is Yasothon Bun Bang Fai Festival. Otherwise, the most know are held in Kalasin, Roi Et, Sisaket, Mahasarakham or Nong Khai. I give you the dates and programs of the 3 events that are for me the most important.
Yasothon Rocket Festival (11 – 13 May 2018)
As said, the Yasothon Rocket Festival is Thailand’s best-known rocket festival.
I was there last year and I can confirm that the last 2 days are the most interesting with the big parade of floats, dancers and musicians on Saturday on Chaeng Sanit Road and rockets launched at Phaya Thaen Park on Sunday (from 8:00 am). There are also entertainment, traditional dances and food stalls near Yasothon’s Giant Toad Museum.
For more information and to have the detailed program, you can contact Ubon Ratchatani TAT office at +66 45 243 770.
Kalasin Rocket Festival (19-20 May 2018)
The festival is not held in the city of Kalasin itself but in the Kuchinarai district about fifteen kilometers from the city.
There will be parade and dances on Saturday (15:30 – 18:00) and Sunday from 8:00 am the rockets launch until 18:00. Kalasin is famous for its huge circular rockets that can go very high in the sky. Really impressive and a little scary I must confess !
Roi Et Rocket Festival (28-30 May 2018)
Here too the festival does not take place in Roi Et city but in the province. There are several events in fact, in Suwannaphum district and Phanom Prai district for instance. Here I give you the information about Phanom Prai’s festival.
- 29 May 2018 at 10 am: Opening Ceremony at 10 am followed by the parade of dancers and musicians.
- 30 May 2018 from 8am onwards, rockets launch in Ban Don Phran and results of the best rocket contest announced at 4pm
Rocket launches will depend on the weather. And be careful, don’t get to close as these homemade rockets can fall faster than expected or explode.
These festivals are an opportunity to discover Isan and the cities and provinces of the 3 main events that I quote in this article. You will find all the information to organize your stay in Roi Et or Yasothon on this website in the section “Cities and Islands” with accommodation or transportation search.
The nearest Rocket Festival from Bangkok
There is also a Rocket Festival held near Lopburi in Central Thailand. It is the nearest Bun Bang Fai Festival from Bangkok and will take place on 12 – 13 May 2018.
Here is the link to the exact location : https://t.co/gSeLLBeI1r
