Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival in the Deep South of Thailand

Around 40 years ago, a number of northeastern residents migrated and settled in Phu Khao Thong subdistrict, Sukhirin district, Narathiwat province. This group of people wanted to keep the traditional practice of Bun Bang Fai alive, so they began to organize this festival here. Sukhirin district of Narathiwat is the only area in the deep South, where the festival is organized each year. 

Bun Bang Fai is a rainmaking rite to worship Phaya Than, believed to be a god of rain. Home-made rockets are fired to encourage the god of rain to unleash rain for the rice-planting season. The rite is believed to bring about abundant rain, good crops, and happiness for all. 

This year, the Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival in Narathiwat is scheduled for 7-9 June at Ban Tomo in Phu Khao Thong subdistrict and is set to be held on a grand scale, with a light and sound show on the history of this event. 

There will be a procession of rockets decorated beautifully. Local people dress in colorful traditional costumes and dance to accompany the procession. 

Everyone is invited to join the rocket festival in this southern border province. Phu Khao Thong subdistrict in Sukhirin district is now promoting community tourism and offers one-day trip and two-day trip programs for visitors wanting to visit various local attractions and appreciate natural beauty there. 

From Su-ngai Kolok district, it takes about one hour and a half to reach Sukhirin district, which is rich in forest areas, with cool weather nearly all year round. This area is sometimes referred to as the "Switzerland of Thailand.”