Loy Krathong 2013

[hhfarang]

I think we'll just float kratongs down the constantly running streams of water on either Soi 88 or upper Soi 94 this year and stay out of the fray.

[Big Boy]

However, I don't know why, but it seems 'buy a krathong' is order of the day for us in Hua Hin.

Well, just to make me out as a liar, my 8 year old granddaughter has turned up with this home (school) made baby today:

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Not bad for 8 years old.

Are there any more home made krathongs you guys would like to share?

[Big Boy]

Well, what can I say? The Hua Hin Parade was as lovely as ever.

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Full set of photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 718&type=1 .

We then went to Khao Tao It was very colourful, but never again

We set out for Khao Tao just before 7, and we parked (a long way from the festivities) just before 9. En Route I saw some of the worst driving that I have ever seen. The road to Khao Tao is 2 way, with a motorcycle lane as well. Impatient Thais (probably a few idiot Farangs also) soon filled the motorcycle lane with stationary cars. This forced the motorcyclists (who of course won't queue) into lane 3 with oncoming traffic.

Then it happened First it was a 'Bangkok Mini Bus'. He put his hazard lights on and drove at speed against oncoming traffic, forcing sensible drivers off the road. He didn't die, so many others followed. This forced the motorcycles into the opposite motorcycle lane. Absolute mayhem then ensued as traffic coming in the opposite direction had nowhere to go.

When we got to Khao Tao police had to direct 4 lanes of traffic onto a narrow country road. What goes around, comes around. The police were giving priority to vehicles on the proper road, and we passed many of the idiots that Mrs BB had been screaming at as they passed us on both sides.

Khao Tao is a lovely venue, and we enjoyed ourselves while we were there, but it is totally unsuitable for this type of overly supported event without first installing adequate supporting infrastructure.

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Watch out for more photos here and on our facebook page tomorrow https://www.facebook.com/huahinforum .

[dtaai-maai]

Yes, we were mixed up in that mayhem too, fortunately heading into HH from the south, not north to Kao Tao. At 8.30 the traffic was solid, 2 and sometimes 3 lanes queued from KT back to Banyan, and very slow from there back to the flyover. At least 2 tail-enders added to the chaos as nobody would move their cars until the insurance man arrived...
I guessed it would be at least 10 and probably 11 pm before they got anywhere near the action in KT.

People always seem to assume that there's a way around hold-ups like this, that it should delay everybody else but not them, so the traffic heading north into town was virtually forced off the road.
If it hadn't been so dangerous, it might have been funny.

Loy, Loy Kratong... another evening to stay home!

Having said that, as we got near home we crossed the klong 10kms north of HH, which is good and full now, and there were quite a few people having a peaceful little kratong-floating session in the true spirit of the day.

[MrPlum]

Poor picture but here you are. 3 different designs which took the ladies 3 days to complete...

Almost decided on Kao Tao but sounds like we were right to go to 19 Rai instead.

[Big Boy]

Photo looks good to me. I bet they got a lot more satisfaction building that than just buying one.

So, what was on at 19 Rai? I said I would go there next year, but was told all Hua Hin celebrations had been moved to Khoa Tao. This is obviously wrong, unless you were all alone last night . Where did you float your boat at 19 Rai? Or did you have to wander up to Queens Park?

[hhfarang]

We had a very relaxed, comfortable evening at home with a good movie, an excellent take away meal from Khorat Kitchen, and a good bottle of Chardonnay. Best Loy Kratong ever!

[sand_dancer]

A good mixture of Thai and Farang down on the beach by the Hilton......

All good..... Until I lit a floating lantern..... And promptly nearly got carted away to the jail.....

A hasty retreat was beaten......

And the remaining lanterns and a few Leo's were had at home.....

[MrPlum]

So, what was on at 19 Rai? I said I would go there next year, but was told all Hua Hin celebrations had been moved to Khoa Tao. This is obviously wrong, unless you were all alone last night . Where did you float your boat at 19 Rai? Or did you have to wander up to Queens Park?

Yes, 19 Rai means the park. Quiet a few people about but not the big celebrations of previous years. Also went to the Hilton about 10pm, by the Chinese Temple. Very quiet.

Without the stalls, fair and parade, we would probably have had a nicer time launching them into our community swimming pool.

Tesco were selling the lanterns for 65thb, so we bought a few and let them go. Nice watching them float away.

[richard]

I must admit I'm a bit 'humbug' about all festivals now. Maybe I've seen too many and getting old and grumpier. The events are fine but the hassle of getting there and the throngs of people get on my proverbial mamories . So I did an HHF and stayed home with a glass of red (or two) and watched a movie. I did spend a pleasant lunchtime at Romantic watching the preparations and relied on your photos to experience the jolly's.

[Big Boy]

getting old and grumpier.

I'm sure nobody's noticed

[hhfarang]

Don't worry Richard, we've lived long enough and put up with enough crap to deserve to be grumpy if we want to!

[richard]

BB, grumpy I may be but I have to smile a bit when people phoning me today say 'why didn't you tell us about traffic to Khoa Tao'

[Big Boy]

Those people should have looked at the forum yesterday - there were warnings.

I'm British and quite happily queue in traffic jams. However, that was not driving last night, it was attempted suicide/murder. Anybody who drives at speed into oncoming traffic with nowhere to escape must have have one hell of an amulet around their neck for protection.

I've conditioned myself to laugh at Thai driving antics, but there was some serious X rated horror going on last night, and I will never be part of it again.

We saw accidents as did DM - it would be interesting to hear the death toll.

[richard]

Glad I missed it then