Yasothon Rocket Festival

Firing massive rockets into the sky might not seem the best way to lure the rain gods, but that's how the villagers of Yasothon do it. Things get very noisy at Phaya Thaen Park for the Yasothon Bun Bangfai Rocket Festival.

The festival originated as a ceremony to encourage auspicious circumstances for the rice-planting season. The rockets were thought to "stimulate" the rain clouds and encourage the rain gods to provide a plentiful watering for the newly planted crops.

Today, the climate changes caused by phenomena like El Nino and global warming mean that this beautiful part of north-eastern Thailand has experienced severe droughts for the past few years. Not the types to be discouraged by natural phenomena, the locals have turned the festival into something of a sporting event.

For the duration of the festival, teams launch their massive rockets into the skies in an effort to reach the greatest height. The explosives, contraptions of bamboo and gunpowder hazardous enough to give the average health and safety inspector a coronary, are launched with much toasting and merriment by their creators. Beauty pageants and traditional feasting accompany this literally explosive event.

Bring your crash helmet, and may the best rocket win.

Related Information

Website: Yasothon Rocket Festival Website