The Thai Adventures of Rob B

I'm not sure whether my wife, Taew, was surprised any more by my enthusiasm for trying to live like a local in our village. I wanted to experience and appreciate how different life was from what I'd known in England. That became very clear when I got involved in the family's annual rice harvest.

When I moved to Thailand in 2021, I made two promises — to integrate with local people and experience real Thai festivals and traditions. My first Bun Bang Fai rocket festival in rural Isan in June 2023 would go a long way towards both.

Most visitors know Songkran for giant water fights and chaos in Thailand's tourist hotspots. My first Songkran living in a rural Isaan village couldn't have been more different, revealing a celebration built around family, tradition, music and community.