Formalin used in preservation of fish, fruit and other food items, keeps fish fresh and fruit attractive. Also used to stop dead bodies from rotting (Formaldehyde). Here it's being applied to squid
The origins of the festival are obscured in history, it is generally agreed that the event has been celebrated since ancient times.
There are three main versions to the Bun Bang Fai legend.
One has it that the rain god Vassakan loved to be worshiped with fire.Villagers shot rockets into heaven in hopes that he would bless them with plenty rain needed for rice cultivation.
A second version is that the rain god Vassakan would be sleeping during this time of the year (hot season) . Villagers would shoot rockets to awaken him to begin the rainy season.
A third version claims the event as being a fertility rite, shooting phallic symbols (rockets) into the sky in hopes of fertilizing the land.
The celebration is held mostly in North Eastern Thailand and Laos and is a mix of spiritual and religious beliefs, with plenty of modern day entertainment.
Dates for the festivities vary throughout the area Some festivals are held as early as April, and as late as July during the dry and hot season. Religious ceremonies, parades and a variety of merit making are part of the celebrations.
Warning:
Misfirings have been known to occur.
Some years ago a the search was on for a man's head which had been blown off by a rocket going horizontal
I've ordered stuff from Bangkok before and quite frequently the delivery truck showed up the next day. Most times in two days.
Ordered a solar charger which can be used for mobile phones and other devices, on April 29.
It's May 8 today and my purchase has still not been delivered. Made a call to the delivery service and was informed the item should be delivered before May 11.
Granted we had a five day holiday, but according to traces, the thing has been sitting here in town for three days
2015-04-29 Your item(s) is being packed and ready for shipment 2015-05-01 Your order has been shipped 2015-05-02 Arrived at Hub 2015-05-04 Arrived at destination 2015-05-06 Out for delivery 2015-05-07 Out for delivery
Even without the holidays the delivery time seems unrealistic
OPINION: There's been hints in the media for some time.
Many Thais have been looking to invest outside of Thailand.
It's the aftershock from the minimum wage increase a few years back. Some as much as 50%. Sure they deserved it, but prices went up and the net gain was close to zero