Ubon Candle Festival

We are going this year we leave on the 26th of July from Udon and return on July 28th

We are staying at the Hotel below, It's 2,800 for two days. If anyone wants to ride there with us let me know. There are other places cheaper I'm sure but you need to book early

PATHUMRAT HOTEL

377 chayangkura rd
Ubonrachathani
34000 THAILAND
Tel: ( 045 ) 241-501 - 11
Fax: ( 045 ) 241-504
Email: rsvn@pathumrathotel.com

โรงแรมปทุมรัตน์
377 ถนน ชยางกูร อุบลราชธานี
34000 ประเทศไทย
Tel : ( 045 ) 241-501 - 11
Fax: ( 045 ) 241-504
Email : rsvn@pathumrathotel.com

Ray. Don't know if you know but the 26th when you go , is Cowpansa , start of Buddhist lent. It is a public holiday. The actual candle parade with the floats etc is on the 27th. Just thought I would let you know as various web sites inc TOT show the parade as 16th. I have checked this with the Amphoe there .Have a good trip. Maybe see you around there as I am taking the family over for the whole week . Not on a bike Though .

Yes, I want to ride up and then rest for the festival the next day, rest in the evening and come back. Assuming of course I'm going on the bike. I can handle rain but this heat is murder. We have missed with it no hotel three years in a row. So we got busy this year and got the rooms.

I will continue on with the search for rooms if I can find something a little less expensive we may change hotels

For those who are not familiar with it this is what it's about. Not table candles

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubon_Ratch ... e_Festival

Yes, Ray, it's definitely not about table candles. A most awesome event that I would highly recommend. We spent a few days there last year. Actually it goes on from June 30 to July 31, with something going on every day, culminating with the parade on the 27th. I would recommend you plan on staying up late on the 27th. Last year they had a parade in the afternoon, a sort of a dress rehearsal. Then they had a night parade with an endless procession of elaborate floats (dozens of them), dancing girls, bands, etc. The day before you can wander the adjoining streets where they are marshaling the floats. We wandered into a Wat where the monks were still finishing their float. Lots of photo opportunities in an unhurried situation, rather than trying to snap them when they go by in the parade. A few pictures attached.

Can't advise you on hotels as we stay with the in laws who live in Amnat Charoen. If you really get pressed for hotels, you might try Amnat Charoen, which is only about an hour's easy drive away. The Fai Kid and the LJ Emerald are recommended by the locals.

I should be able to get a definite schedule of events in a couple of weeks. Will post if and when.

YA I think maybe you are right based on the photos, a little later will do. We decided to stay at the Hotel with the pool. Not the norm for us anything with aircon and a Western toilet normally does the trick. Cause we are back on the bike the next day exploring anyway. But, we have had a overnight trip since December. Injuried my back on the ride pushing things to far. All healed now. So I think we have earned a bit of three star treatment this time

The hotel in downtown so I can escape the heat as needed. Someone mentioned a Van service by the TAT office where they take you to different places making the candles so we will probably do that. We are going up the day before the parade. So we should have enough time for a bit of exploring. If it's not to hot I will take the bike that heat really drain you on a long ride. Maybe end up being the pickup don't know yet.

As promised I have located a detailed schedule of events for the Ubon Candle Festival:

http://memock.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/ubon-candle-festival.pdf

Be advised that This is Thailand, so the events may not exactly keep to the schedule. The schedule is hard to read, at least on my computer, but if you right click on the page, then on "marquee zoom" you will get the ability to enlarge it so it's readable. Also if you print out the page it is quite legible.

It appears that on the 27th there is a morning procession at 8:30 AM, then one in the evening at 7 PM. Last year as I remember the morning started around noon and the evening around 9 PM. But well worth it to see, especially the night procession. It seemed like there were many more floats and dancing girls in the night procession. One of the premier things to see in all of Thailand, IMHO.

And for those less culturally inclined, I did note a large bevy of delicious eye candy wandering around all day and at the procession. Not that I took notice, mind you.

Just a further reminder for those that want to see the Ubon candle festival .Its this coming weekend with the big parade on Tuesday 27th. If you want a drink, remember 26th is also a dry day for Buddhist Lent .
Just a taster .

Little easier to read for my tired old eyes Apparently two parade nights

Theme: ENJOY THE WONDERFUL WAX CANDLE PROCESSION
JULY 24 – 31
July 26
19.00 Night Procession
Enjoy the magnificent candle procession as it proceeds along the city streets and Thung Sri Mueang park
July 27
08.00 – 12.00 Candle Procession through the city streets
July 28 Photo opportunity
The winner of the contest will be making a special appearance. Fans and visitors to the event are invited to personally meet and congratulate the winner and cherish the memorable moment by taking photos with the winner.
July 31
19.00 Closing ceremony

Well just back from an amazing week in Ubon. Lots of photos but as there doesn't seem to be a section for members photo's any more just don't know where to post them. Travel and transport doesn't seem to be appropriate and they are not Udon relevant so I will attempt to put them in the Issan region heading .Mods feel free to move them if you think fit.