The great traditional Thai Rocket Festival

The magnificent traditional Thai rocket parade.

The crowd is entertained with comedy, often bawdy with a smattering of dirty jokes and raucous country music, while the rocket owner competes. It is a genuine display of farming community fun aimed at getting the planting season off to a good start. Accidents are few and far between, but as the beer and rice whisky flows, missiles may stutter, wobble or even do some low flying antics over the tents and entertainment stages.

Rocket festivals are held through-out the region and in neighboring Laos, but Yasothon residents, noted for their sense of humour and three-day parties, attracts the most attention from international visitors. The city embodies Issarn’s ability to rise above the hardships of tilling the land.

Ironically, at any other time of the year, Yasothon is a sleepy northeast town that hardly warrants a second glance. Rarely visited by tourists, it is overshadowed by its neighbor Ubon Ratchathani. Considered the prime tourism gateway to the lower Issarn region, Ubon Ratchathani airport is served by both the national airline, Thai Airways International, and other low-cost airlines. It is possible to hire a car at the airport and drive northwest on Highway 23 to Yasothon.

The town’s hotels are full during this short festival and hotels will double their rates to cash in on the festival’s popularity. There are also hotels in Roiet, 60 km northwest of Yasothon, while some visitors may decide to stay in Ubon and embark on a daytrip returning after sunset.

For more information please contact TAT Ubon Ratchathani Office Tel: 045 243 770-1, 045 250 714 or Yasothon Municipality Office Tel: 045 711 397 Ext.: 112