There will be a street parade. The starting point is a short distance from the park. The parade will enter the park through the main gate. We got ready and rode to the Sukhotai Historical Park at about 3pm. Put our bikes near Café Amazon and park our butts in there.
Gracious Lady (see vid)
Punctually at 4pm, the sound of a marching band approaches. Our window seat at the café allows us perfect vantage. Not satisfied with that, KCK and I went out on the street so that we can get a few close-up shots. Weather was good and there were not many people. Still early. The band led a colourful entourage of about 20 different troupes into the Park through the gate about 30m away. The street was narrow and there were no barriers to separate the parade from the spectators. You could easily walk in the parade among the performers. The costumes they wore and the routines performed were pure Thai style. Very traditional. There were elephants and princesses & fire-breathers too. The elephants left huge chunks of turd here and there along the route. Maybe that’s why they were strategically placed near the end of the parade. As we followed the parade to the Gate, another procession joined in from a different direction. This procession was huge! It was standing-by waiting for the lead group. There must be close to a hundred troupes in all involving a couple thousand people! They represent the many facets of the Thais, from agriculture, spiritual beliefs, daily life, cock-fighting, to the historical, entertainment, and their uniqueness in today’s world. As it was barrier-free, locals and tourists alike mingle within the procession, but respectfully so. The parade paused occasionally for many of the troupes to perform their routines at the open space in front of the Gate. The colours and costumes were a sight to behold, and the accompanying Traditional Thai melody filled the air. It’s a photography-buff’s dream. We stood around the same spot for nearly two hours as the parade passed us. It was a grand parade. By the people, for the people. The spectators were also much involved because no barriers or police prevented anyone from dancing or interacting with the performers if they so wish.
In the meantime, Indie K is meeting two Singaporeans who just arrived at Sukhotai without pre-booking their accommodation. They couldn’t get any and, in the end, I believe they had to ride to stay at Phitsanulok, about 100km ESE from here.
As night fell and the temperature cooled, more and more revellers appeared. It was more crowded then the night before. The spotlights came on, roaming the night sky while on the ground, stalls’ lightings, flaming torches, bright krathongs and lanterns provided the ambience to match the merry mood of the people. Across the squarish pond, the live show was being played out. It was a ticketed event. We could see the glow of the lighting effects from where we stood, hear the clamouring, the fireworks and the occasional trumpeting of the elephants. We all had our hand at firing up the krathongs. Many of the krathongs got gobbled up by the big fish (see vid) in the pool within seconds of leaving the owners’ hands at the platforms. Hahaha.
We roamed the Park as the night wore on. Until we got hungry and fed ourselves. Thoroughly satisfied, we rode back to the hotel. We chilled at the hotel lobby and had a couple. Three Japanese dudes came in late to check-in. And Indie K exhibited proficiency in Japanese and assisted them somewhat till the manager came. I retired soon after while Mr. GPS went about town charting/updating his internal map, as is his habit wherever he went.
Loy Krathong 2566. It was a good day. Dream realised.
Tomorrow, we ride to Chiang Mai.
jaywalker, on 27/11/23, at Sukhotai, Thailand.
2 wheels and an engine 