Tha Rae Christmas Star Convoy

Got a late start getting to Tha Rae.  Parking was at a premium, but we got lucky.  The parade route was changed from previous years.  Walked through town thinking the parade was already done.  When we decided to head for a place to eat we were confronted by the parade taking up one lane of westbound traffic on the main highway.

More street vendors than ever, more lights than ever.

Stopped off to get something to eat, where a number of local friends joined us for the evening

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Doppelgänger

One interpretation I am familiar with is that Buddhism is a philosophy, therefore you can be Buddhist and any religion of your choice. Many Thai Catholics also stay true to Buddha teachings and ceremonies. Catholic teachings consider such "dual faiths" problematic Can you be both Catholic and Buddhist? Double belonging Is Buddhism a religion or philosophy?

Tha Rae Star Light Parade 2015

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They are making a list, And checking it twice; Gonna find out ...

Tha Rae Starlight pre-parade inspection? I'm guessing My impression:  They seemed to be inspecting individual floats and going down a checklist.  Wonder if they were giving grades.    Whenever I see 'sisters' my mind does a bit of time travel I spend a number of my preteen years in a Kinderheim (children home)

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Tha Rae Star Light Parade is tonight Dec 23

Tha Rae Star light Parade is tonight Dec 23 A smaller parade is planned for Dec 24

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48 Hours before Santa visits Tha Rae

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Tha Rae is know for it's Catholic community and celebrations and...

Keep in mind most of these scenes were filmed about a year ago.  Since then quite a bit of effort has been made to eradicate the problem. Most likely the trade still continues to some degree underground. In Thailand, tracking the dog trade - by Ross Velton for The New York Times from Ross Velton on Vimeo.

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Correction To Date of Tha Rae Parade

Previous information of the date of the parade seems to be incorrect.  The Tha Rae Parade is scheduled for 6pm on December 23.
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Five days before Tha Rae Christmas

Christmas Stars for as little as 20 Baht can be purchased throughout the town

Many decorations are in place. Of course it will look much nicer at nigh with the lights on

Plenty of preparations are under way at the Cathedral.

The Tha Rae parade starts at dusk (around 6 pm) December 24.  I'll be at a friend's house not far from the cathedral.
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Tha Rae Christmas Star Parade December 24

Starts around dusk

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