Provincial Fair 2015 on Tungsi Mueang

Post by **waanjai** » December 1, 2015, 10:21 pm

Grand Opening today

: incl. 1 farang

: Thai Teenies in shorts

Post by **waanjai** » December 3, 2015, 1:07 am

More from this yearly and culturally important festival in the city of Udon. Not much participation by the farang population though. Also called Ghetto-people because of their low level of interest, assimilation and integration.

Post by **stereolab** » December 3, 2015, 8:01 am

I was there on opening night, and saw another farang, with an extremely extended family. Locals were certainly enjoying themselves.

Post by **malc123** » December 3, 2015, 10:36 am

I was there also for four hours, paid 50baht to park the car.

malc123

Post by **Barney** » December 3, 2015, 1:22 pm

Oh no,
Not only are there lots of peasants out there, but now, I find out there are, according to what it would appear thai's describe farangs people as, "ghetto people". I'll have to check with my GF this weekend if this is the deep seated common description of us farang.
Wow hope the peasant's and Ghetto people don't breed, what would those half breeds be called by the elite Thai's and their hi so friends with high level's of interest, assimilation and integration.

Post by **parrot** » December 3, 2015, 2:06 pm

If you haven't seen the dragon parade....where the dragon climbs up a tall pole.....it's worth getting stuck in traffic or bearing the heat to see. A Thai friend tells me the dragon will be dancing around town most all the day on Dec 5 in honor of father's day. And fireworks at Nongprajak in the evening on the 5th as well.

Traffic is sure to be a nightmare over the long weekend.......so grin and bear it or avoid it. I'll guess that it's every children's dream (those who live in the countryside) to go to the fair.....and of those, every boy won't be happy unless he goes home toting a semi-automatic toy gun. My wife grew up in the fair grounds....stayed in town with a relative and sold balloons during the fair. To this day, she has to go every year......sort of a return to Mecca for her.

I remember well my days stationed in NKP.....when the Security Police patrolled the town at night. If your shirt was not tucked in, or unbuttoned, or you weren't wearing socks with your sandals, or you were riding two in a samlor.......they'd report you to your commander. I haven't seen one of those patrols in Udon.......Cover your chest and your groin and act decently and no one is going to complain. Wear a necktie and act like a slob and you'll be an outcast. Happy father's day.

Post by **waanjai** » December 3, 2015, 8:11 pm

provincial fair 44 years ago: 1971

What can be seen on the picture was already and continued to be a tradition. A tradition that i.a. formed the expectations towards farang visitors of Esan. Those who did not fit, soon became among Thais the farang khi nok (bird----- farang, ฝรั่งขี้นก) whereas those assimilating gained the proverbial “sons-in-law of Udon” (Luuk Koei, ไข่ลูกเขย ) nick.

: or did I see her somewhere else?

Post by **waanjai** » December 5, 2015, 12:38 am

December 05 - Father's Day - Things you forgot? You got kids?

And the Dragon will be dancing again:

Post by **waanjai** » December 5, 2015, 8:50 pm

The contribution by the Thai-Chinese from Udon to Fathers Day was announced in their first parade on Dec.01:

Shortly after Udon received her city rights from a younger brother named prajak of the reigning kind at that time - therefore: nong prajak or prince prajak - Udon got the first Chinese refugees or economic migrants in early 20th C. These were mainly small business people fleeing from the prospects of Mao Tse-tung 's communist takeover.

They were allowed to settle in Udon - although in a Ghetto, later on called little China Town. Other than the main bulk of farangs in the last 2 generations these Chinese assimilated very soon and fast. Took soon over most of the emerging shops in Udon - easily to be recognized thru the red lanterns they all exhibit during Chinese New Year, became successful and integrated while maintaning marriages amongst them.

But most important, the Chinese left their Ghettos and participated in the cultural life of the Udon Thani society. Again, in sharp contrast to the Ghetto-farangs since 1970.

More to their contribution to Father's Day - Dec. 05. The Golden Dragon.

The guy on the pole is no camera-man. It's the fighter.

Post by **Jello** » December 5, 2015, 11:17 pm

Nice pictures Waanjai! Thanks for sharing. =D>
Took the kids to the fairgrounds today, had a great time. Lots of people there, had to park a few blocks away.

Post by **waanjai** » December 6, 2015, 1:21 am

Later in the evening on Tungsi Mueang

https://video.fbkk6-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hvi ... e=56632D76

And then the concert of Pongsit Khampee.

Post by **waanjai** » December 6, 2015, 8:50 pm

They even found a decently dressed Farang for their series on Father's Day. =D>

Post by **waanjai** » December 7, 2015, 11:01 pm

The Lions will dance tomorrow at 20:00 on Tungsi Mueang. On the green poles. Be there at 19:00 hours.

And about 22:00: the big Carabao Concert

Post by **waanjai** » December 9, 2015, 9:20 pm

The Golden Dragon on December 8, 2015 on Tungsi Mueang:

: Fireworks first

: Awaiting people

to be contd

Post by **waanjai** » December 9, 2015, 9:27 pm

Participation by - hence: Ghetto Farangs - was meagre. Drinking.

to be contd.

Post by **waanjai** » December 9, 2015, 9:34 pm

"How to live in Udon and remain culture-free?"

Post by **Barney** » December 11, 2015, 1:58 pm

Have been to the fair twice now, apparently my Thai family missed something the first time.
I am glad I did go back because I did miss something that really made me think how crazy the thais can be, go and see the motor bikes and car inside what I can only call the WALL OF DEATH. I've seen the bikes in cages before but this was unbelievable in the danger aspect. These young blokes must have no concept of risk assessment associated with employment. Safety gear was T-Shirt, jeans, running shoe and .......that's it.
They power up the bikes and off they go flat out around the wall scaring the bejesus out of the crowd and me who are looking down as they pass within inches of the top of the wall. No hands, changing shirts mid ride, blindfolded etc etc

Then the boss guy gets in his car and drives it around the wall and also to the top. Got to be a 1 ton vehicle. Now this wall is a rickety old thing with loose boards and all that was probably, but maybe not, suitably engineered when it was fabricated years ago, for motor bikes only. As a dangerous show it puts the cobras way down the pecking order of fear factor. If your at the fair go have a look.

Post by **parrot** » December 11, 2015, 3:28 pm

You can view a variety of Wall of Death, Thailand, videos at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eCLqAI ... K8R3uxpPT8 (no insurance premium necessary!!).

In the video, is that a Buddhist shrine on the table? If so, that explains everything. Many moons ago, my wife and I were getting ready to go to Bangkok from NKP by bus. We stopped by the local temple to chat with a monk beforehand. While there, a man came in, did his thing with a candle and incense and bowing a few times......then we met him again on the bus as the bus driver. He drove like a maniac........we were in a crowded bus in the front most seat. Shear terror. Going over one mountain pass late at night, he turned off his lights as he told my wife the village was infested with communist guerrillas who robbed buses passing by. Then later, on the same mountain pass, he struck a water buffalo....but refused to stop. If I ever needed a good shot of high potency drugs, that was the night.
I'm sure the bus driver....probably like the stunt drivers at the fair......put their faith in Buddha to get them through another day.

Post by **waanjai** » December 11, 2015, 8:12 pm

And don't forget the girls

Wall of Death on Dec. 01:

Post by **Khaen** » December 12, 2015, 2:44 pm

For all single males/malts: Beauty Contest on Tungsi Mueang - Today 18:00

Have a chance. Come decently dressed.