5th December - The Kings Birthday
With the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej on 13th October 2016 the annual parade was of course cancelled and what happens mext year has not been announced but all being well, the traditional Kings Birthday Parade will continiue for his son, and Thailand's new King - Maha Vajiralongkorn.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej was loved by the vast, vast majority of Thai's, apparently his wife not nearly as much though. On 1st December, Udon Thani has a large parade in, part in celebration of the Thailand king's birthday through the city and a smaller one on the 5th December. The first parade is excellent, full of traditional Thai dress and dancing along the city streets. I am a total sucker for a pretty girl in traditional Thai dress as my images may suggest! I will stop writing as a picture can paint a thousand words.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
There is also a considerable Chinese influence in Udon Thani, and just about every parade that takes place, has a fair proportion of Chinese culture featuring, with the large Chinese Dragons, and crashing of drums and symbols, and the setting off of large fire crackers. You know they are on their way, as you hear them long before you see them.
As a ferang in Udon Thani, it does seem possible to take some liberties, and actually get in among the parade to get far better shots of the proceedings, and if you focus on an individual girl, they will eventually break out in a big beaming smile as they begin to appreciate the attention. I also appreciate it when they do give a big beaming smile, as it often shows them at their very best.