MY LOY KRATHONG (in 3 parts)

2wheels

Community Manager
Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Location
Chiang Mai
Bikes
ROYAL ENFIELD CLASSIC
Part 1
15th November 2024

The unbearably loud head-banging 'music' coming from my local Temple area was too much for me to handle so I retreated
to quieter and more dignified areas where Loy Krathong was being celebrated more sedately.

thumbnail_2071014.main_image.jpg


A nearby Temple was a nice stop.

0-56.jpg


0-57.jpg


0-54.jpg


Then up to Wat Phratat Doi Saket.

0-21.jpg


0-2.jpg


0-27.jpg


0-22.jpg


Quiet Buddhist chanting was emanating from the 'Buddha's Footprint' dome.

0-49.jpg


0-3.jpg


And the dome area offered a view down to our local 'Ground Zero', Nong Bua Lakes.
I will immerse myself there tonight.

0-51.jpg


Then lanterns were released beside the dome.

0-34.jpg


0-28.jpg


A view back towards Chiang Mai.

0-25.jpg


Then off to look for some domestic decorations.

0-6 2.59.27 PM.jpg


0-8 2.59.36 PM (1).jpg


0-10.jpg


0-11.jpg


0-14.jpg


0-8 2.59.36 PM.jpg


One more quiet Temple visit.

0-19.jpg


0-18.jpg


Then home in time for only 10 more minutes of imposing 'music' until 12-15am.

Let's see what Nong Bua has to offer tonight.
 

Attachments

  • 0-16.jpg
    0-16.jpg
    81.3 KB · Views: 22
Last edited:
Part 2
16th November 2024

As the sun was setting I rode my Classic to Nong Bua lakes to join in the festivities.

0-3.jpg


Bloody hell!
The traffic heading to the lakes was horrendous, even on a motorbike.
Finding a place to park the bike was a real challenge but I eventually did then tried to walk towards the action.
I say 'tried' because the amount of people there was overwhelming. It really was a matter of elbowing ones way through the crowd.
Sad to say it seems that success has led to excess at Nong Bua.
Too many people in a confined area and too loud.

So I determined to grab a few images, have a beer with a friend and retreat.

0-2.jpg


0-4.jpg


0-5.jpg


0-7.jpg


0-6.jpg


0-8.jpg


The 'tunnel of love'.

0-9.jpg


0-10.jpg


This was the 'dining area'.
Not enough tables and chairs and extremely loud announcements making any conversation impossible.

0-14.jpg


I met my friend here, had an expensive beer, then we both retreated.

0-13.jpg


0-17.jpg


An attempt at waste collection but there were not enough bins.

0-12.jpg


So I nudged my way through the pedestrian traffic, out onto the main access road and found my way back
to 'my' roadside bar to enjoy a peaceful, chilled 55 baht beer in remembrance of our late dear friend Auke.
RIP my friend.

0-16.jpg


So, in summary, I can no longer recommend Nong Bua as a Loy Krathong venue.
It is not the pleasant experience it used to be.
I wont be there next year.

Speaking of 'next year' I have been informed that the Nong Bua area is due for a 200 million baht development.
I think the authorities have parklands in mind. That will be nice.
It is unlikely that Loy Krathong will be held there next year due to these major developments.

Part 3 in a few days.
 
WHERE DO LANTERNS GO TO DIE?
19th November 2024

I rode back to the Nong Bua area, in a radius of about 5 kms, to investigate the fate of those once beautiful lanterns.

0-2.jpg


0-3.jpg


0-4.jpg


0-5.jpg


0-8.jpg


At the lakeside I saw frantic cleaning-up work.
The 'tunnel of love' today.

0-6.jpg


0-7.jpg


0-2 (1).jpg


0-9.jpg


0-10.jpg


0-11.jpg


0-12.jpg


0-3 (1).jpg


A novel lampshade.

0-4 (1).jpg


0-6 (1).jpg


0-7 (1).jpg


0-8 (1).jpg


0-20.jpg


0-19.jpg


0-21.jpg


0-22.jpg


0-23.jpg


0-26.jpg


0-25.jpg


0-24.jpg


0-9 (1).jpg


Goal!!

0-28.jpg


I feel sure the debris field will eventually be cleared but I am not sure who has responsibility for what,
so I will inquire.
 
Back
Top Bottom