The Thai Adventures of Rob B

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

When visitors think of Thailand, beaches and islands often come to mind first. Yet one of the country's greatest treasures lies just 80 kilometres north of Bangkok. Ayutthaya has drawn me back time and again over the years, and every visit has left me with another story to tell.

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 would go a long way towards both.

After enjoying my first Bun Fai rocket festival, it didn’t take long before another opportunity appeared — this time in rural Roi Et, with Auntie Lamyong joining the adventure. I had fun at my first delve into the Isan tradition, and now that I knew what went on, I wanted to have another look. For the uninitiated, click here to read a previous article that explains the background of Thai rocket festivals.