Rob’s Thai Roving Report

One of the best things about moving to Thailand in November 2021 has been the opportunity to continue following football while exploring far more of the country than I ever managed during short holidays. In October 2025, my wife Taew and I headed to Roi Et for a weekend of football, sightseeing and the chance to catch up with friends.

A Sunday with no football planned unexpectedly turned into one of my most enjoyable cycling adventures through the rural Sisaket countryside in early August 2025.

It is surprising just how little is known about the many festivals staged around Thailand, even by expats living there or regular visitors. I'm a prime example. Despite visiting the Land of Smiles nearly 30 times before moving here, I had no idea events such as the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival even existed.

A local rocket festival in rural Sisaket sounded like the perfect Sunday outing. What we didn’t expect was to end the day dancing through village lanes as a young Thai man prepared to enter monkhood.