I’m at Khundan Prakanchon Dam in Nakhon Nayok Province for the International Hot Air Balloon and Adventure Sports Festival. It is happening over the long holiday weekend for the King’s birthday; 2nd – 6th December 2010.
This is now the fourth time that the Balloon Festival has taken place but the first time it has included other adventure sports. It is also the first time that it has taken place in Nakhon Nayok. Previously it was in Nakhon Ratchasima twice and then last year it was held in Ayutthaya.
During the opening ceremony this afternoon, Ms. Pensuda Priaram, the deputy governor of the TAT, said that this festival will “highlight Nakhon Nayok as an ideal tourist destination where everyone can enjoy the rich natural and cultural heritage while partaking of the fun and excitement of the many outdoor activities the province offers”.
The festival goes on for five days until Monday 6th December 2010. Every day there will be balloon flights at 6 a.m., balloon tethering at 5 p.m. and then balloon glow and fireworks at 6:30 p.m. They aren’t selling tickets for the balloon rides but there will be a lucky dip for the tethered flights.
There are about 20 hot air balloons taking part in this festival from eight countries around the world. These are Austria, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States and Thailand.
This afternoon I watched them as they prepared their balloons for tethered flight. It was quite windy so only three balloons went up today. It was interesting how they prepared the balloons. They started by using two high powered fans to blow air into the balloons and then they used a gas powered flame to blow hot air into the balloon.
The pictures here were all taken on my iPhone. I also took some pictures on my DSLR which I will post later when I get back on www.thai-blogs.com and www.thaifestivalblogs.com. I’m hoping to be able to go on a balloon flight early tomorrow morning which will be my first time. I’m pretty excited about that. Hopefully it won’t be too windy.
- Posted from my iPhone
better than KFC and McDonalds lol but the name...