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Chiang Khuang Lao Rocket Festival
Project gen by hotsia
Lao Rocket Festival, the traditional Lao Rocket Festival, Rocket Festival, Yasothon Rocket Festival http://www.hotsia.com > Chiang Khuang, Phonsavan, Thung Hai Hin, Exciting Chiang Khuang Travel, Explosive City Chiang Khuang, Thung Hai Hin (Plain of), Lao Rocket Festival Tradition, Phonsavan Bus Station, Stay at Night Guesthouse Chiang Khuang, Supporting Exciting AEC Travel. The Lao Rocket Festival is a tradition of the Isan region of Thailand as well as Laos, originating from the folk tale of the Isan region about Phaya Khankak.
The story of Pha Daeng Nang Ai, which in the folk tale mentions that villagers hold the Rocket Festival to worship Phaya Than or the god Wassaka Theppabut. The villagers believe that Phaya Than is responsible for ensuring timely rain according to the seasons and has a great fondness for fire. If a village does not hold the Rocket Festival to worship, the rain will not come on time, potentially causing disasters for the village.
The Rocket Festival well known to Thai people is the Yasothon Rocket Festival, which the Tourism Authority of Thailand promotes heavily. The atmosphere is familiar from TV or personal visits. I wanted to change the scene and experience the Lao Rocket Festival to see how it compares to the Thai one. The stir-fried noodles smell inviting and are truly delicious. The Lao papaya salad looks even more appetizing when you click the large image.
I came across this event while visiting Thung Hai Hin. It is a genuine village-style festival, not officially organized like Yasothon’s. There is no Lao tourism authority involvement or formal ceremonies. Each household makes their village’s rockets and parades them into the event. The largest rocket came from Vientiane, brought by a senior official from the Lao party. Though small, this event has an indescribable charm.
I experienced authentic Lao village life and their Rocket Festival culture. The large rocket, I understand, is called the 'Rocket Saen' and is paraded through city streets for public viewing before being prepared for the event. The rockets are launched in order from small ordinary ones to the largest last. Owners of rockets that fail to launch properly, explode, or fly off course are punished by being thrown into the mud, similar to the Thai Rocket Festival tradition.
Taking photos with beautiful scenes is another activity at Lao temple fairs. On the day I watched the launches, when the president’s rocket from Vientiane failed to launch properly, he was also thrown into the mud. I spoke with many locals who said that top officials in Laos attend the festival, walk the market, and mingle casually like ordinary villagers. So it’s no surprise the president was thrown into the mud.
Throughout the afternoon, villagers gradually come to enjoy the festival and participate in various activities. The event features electronic keyboard music and singers performing. Villagers join in singing and dancing. Something unusual I noticed was the balloon-popping game stall, very popular among visitors. Another rare stall in Thailand is the photo booth with various fabric backdrops; after taking photos, prints are made. Regarding food, I liked the grilled egg stall.
These are eggs with chicks inside, steamed to a fragrant aroma. Eating them dipped in sour sauce alongside Lao beer is incredibly delicious. The neighboring Lao papaya salad stall makes a spicy, flavorful salad that’s very tasty. If you want to eat Lao papaya salad, be sure to say 'Bo ao paeng nua der' (no starch please), otherwise they’ll add a ladleful instead of just a spoonful. Unfortunately, I didn’t stay to see the 'Rocket Saen' launch but I did capture video of the 'Rocket Muang' to share.
The Yasothon Rocket Festival shares many similarities with the Lao Rocket Festival, though some differences exist. One thing is certain: almost everyone in the rocket procession is drunk, just like in Yasothon. This kind of festival is a celebration, and it’s unusual not to be intoxicated. Thai and Lao people, Mr.Hotsia June 2010. Trivia about papaya salad: It’s a neutral term used by central Thais; northern people call it differently. When delicious, they say 'Lam' like 'Lam tae tae'. Isan people say it like Lao, calling it 'Som Tam'.
When delicious, it’s called 'Zaap'. I’m not sure if Lao rockets are the same as Yasothon’s. The final step before launching is igniting the gunpowder. This young Lao man, a key figure in his village, is responsible for preparing the 'Rocket Muang' before launch. Balloon-popping games like this are common at Lao village festivals. Authentic Lao papaya salad looks like this; just seeing the juice makes my mouth water. The carvings decorating Lao rockets. The Lao rocket launch platform. Papaya salad and grilled egg food stalls.
Fried noodles are delicious, papaya salad even more so. Grilled eggs dipped in sauce are a favorite among Lao and Isan people. Launching small rockets. Preparing rockets before launch like a professional. Rocket preparation equipment. Balloon-popping game competing for prizes at the Lao Rocket Festival. Rocket launch platform with people climbing to ignite. Reception staff welcoming guests. Everyone receives a badge to wear and must make merit before entering. Visiting the Rocket Festival. Lao rockets. Music and singers throughout the event. Announcer inviting the president to speak.
Waiting to see this cute rocket. Rocket parade... from one village. Donations collected from merit-making. Reception staff welcoming guests.
