The public relations campaign for the upcoming holidays 21 Dec to 10 Jan. Three weeks, hence the title 777. Drunk driving is most likely the most serious cause of holiday road carnage. After that it's speeding.
Enforcement of traffic rules, or the lack of it probably ranks high on this list. Times are changing, slowly.
First warning I received during my first year in Sakon Nakhon was as I entered a restaurant and the owner informed me the police had told him that I should slow down. Fourteen years ago there weren't that many cars on the road.
The increase of cars came quite suddenly when the government offered 'discounts' for first time buyers. Now thousands of previous motorcycle drivers became car drivers overnight with little or no training.
The parade gets underway quite early in the morning. Once the parade hits the main road part of the parade may head in different directions. The dragons and lions enter CHinese Businesses and wish them a prosperous year ahead.
Watch out for fireworks
How elaborate the celebration will be this year, is yet to be seen. I've only seen the dragon fight high in the sky twice in the years I have been here
I've always enjoyed visiting the temple days before and watch them practice their routines
The parade is December 11, with nightly activities an the temple. Make sure you check out all the artifacts on display
Ask ten people and you get ten different answers. My latest source is an employee at the Tha Rae church. Fair grounds and sales begin at 4 pm. The motorized star parade on December 23 begins at 6 pm.
There is a walking parade with handheld stars on Dec 24
I recommend you park a few blocks from the church and walk in. Otherwise you may get blocked in. I've been going to Tha Rae days before the parade and photograph people busy decorating houses and floats. I'll be doing that this year also and it there are any changes I will post it days before the event
