The rocket festival, known in Thai as ‘Bun Bang Fai,’ is an ancient local festival that has been carried out continuously till modern times. It is popularly celebrated in northeast of Thailand, and is usually held in the second week of May. The celebration is an entreaty to the rain god for plentiful rains during the coming rice planting season.
In the past, The legend has it that once there was a rain god named Vassakan who loved to be worshipped with fire. The townspeople created a rocket or ‘Bang Fai’ to send to heaven, where the god resided. They believed that the god would hear their entreaties and bless them with plentiful rain for rice cultivation. So the celebration is entirely to the god of rain.
The rockets were made from bamboo and although still used in some cases, modern versions are made from plastic or PVC filled with gun powder. They are decorated with Thai designs, usually in the shape of a naga. There is many size of Bang Fai.
The first day of the celebration begins with merry-making, including traditional dances and processions of rocket floats.
On the second day is the actual shooting of the rockets. Early in the morning the rockets are paraded around the town. Each procession consists of clowns, dancers and musicians. The first rocket is fired to predict the amount of rainfall for that growing season. That is, if it goes high up in the sky, there will be plenty of rain and a good crop. The rest are set off to ask for rain.
Boon Bang Fai is the beautiful tradition. It is never forgotten from people there. There is this festival in every year to show their folkway. We should protect and promote this festival to our next generation.