VIJITR 5 light festival, Aug. 17-25 - Photo Report

[Big Boy]

I drove through on the way home from the footie last night - it looked quite good. Will hopefully get there later tonight for a proper look.

[Big Boy]

I'd promised myself a visit to see the lights, and last night was the day. Mrs BB decided she wanted to come as well, so that was going to be a challenge with the wheelchair amongst the crowds and Hua Hin's many wheelchair obstacles. The plan was to get a Grab to the station, and to work my way down to Father Teds, where I'd reward myself with a well earned Guinness, before getting a Grab home again. We had a plan.

First part of the plan failed because it was so busy, the taxi couldn't drop us at the station, and we had to drive past to find a parking space.

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Not a problem I thought, Mrs BB was on wheels. Pavements around the station resemble the surface of the moon. Still no problem, I used the road during the busiest period of traffic ever there. When we reached the station I thought it would be great to use the disabled ramps. Wrong!!! Some clown in their wisdom had positioned a seat made from railways sleepers right across the ramp.

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Mrs BB had to walk around the bench, and despite the bench being empty during the photo, by the time Mrs BB had dismounted, a family had decided to use the bench, and didn't want to move. I had to get the wheelchair through, and they did move when they saw the wheelchair coming at them about 4' in the air. Not a good start.

The lights were quite impressive, and it was obvious a lot of work/planning had gone into this event,

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I was busy clicking away, when the first show was announced. The old WWII steam engine was the centrepiece. I was at the other end of the station, so it was a mad dash back to see the show where the old engine was brought back to life.

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The next show followed immediately, using the old station walls as a cinema screen. There were a lot of people watching, but they all sat down on the ground as instructed to make sure everybody could see.

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The film show didn't do a lot for me, but the sound system was very impressive.

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We then made our way across the tracks, and under the new station. When the rail bridge was first put in place, I did raise doubts about its wheelchair friendliness. We got across, but it took a lot of strength to get over the gaps where the actual rail lines were. We continued taking photos, and were able to get up close to the old engine,

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We then moved outside the station, and played with the traffic whilst snapping a few photos outside.

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Having battled with the traffic, we then wandered down to Phon King Phet Park. The pavements en-route were certainly a challenge, and I was very grateful when 3 Thai ladies came running to my wife's rescue when the wheelchair was tilting at at a very acute angle. Did I need their help? I'm not sure, but better to be safe than totally capsizing. The park wasn't as crowded as the station, and looked very tidy with its many lights.

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I didn't even attempt the pavements from the park down to the Tessebahn corner. It was easier to use the road. We managed to cross Petchkasem Road, but not with the help of the crossing lights. We must have stood there at least 10 minutes, but a green pedestrian light did not appear. Once across the road, I turned back and zoomed in on the last photo of the night in front of the Golden Mall. The exhibition there had been billed in the publicity, but when I saw it, I could not be bothered to get closer for a better photo.

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When we got to Father Teds, I was lathered. My first Guinness barely touched the sides. It had been hard work taking the wheelchair onto Hua Hin's streets properly for the first time. Hua Hin is most definitely not wheelchair friendly (and this was the tourist centre).

In the OP, it was suggested this was going to be Hua Hin's version of the Nasatta Light Festival. I can assure everybody, it doesn't come close. However, my son who was also with us thought it was very impressed. I guess, when you've seen the best, the rest are second best. I enjoyed it - well done Hua Hin.

[buksida]

Still looks quite impressive, will try and get down there during the week when its not as busy.

[Big Boy]

It may be worth going for the later show - starts about 21:30, I think, but would be worth checking. The old locomotive show is quite impressive.

[hhinner]

It may be worth going for the later show - starts about 21:30, I think, but would be worth checking. The old locomotive show is quite impressive.

According to this article in Hua Hin Today some of the performances are only at weekends, though, I assume, the static light shows will be every night.

[Big Boy]

Yes, that is correct. I think it was 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25 Aug.

Of course, no shows, might mean less people.

[buksida]

I'll take the fewer people option!

[hhinner]

I'll take the fewer people option!

Same here.

[Big Boy]

I was actually very surprised at the number of people there yesterday, although they did disperse very quickly once the shows were over.

It was great seeing them bring the steam engine back to life, which I thought was worthwhile, but wasn't too impressed with the second show

[hhinner]

I'll take the fewer people option!

Same here.

We went for a look this evening.
1. Gold Mall - meh
2. Pone King Petch park - nice but deserted.
3. Station - absolutely packed. Had the film projection show on the station wall.

As we walked past the tessaban we noticed that a sign said the car park was open for those going to see the lights. Wish I'd known earlier. Couldn't find any street parking, couldn't park in the temple. Parked in the car park just the other side of Chomsin (bit of a walk).

There seemed to be a rock concert/event going on behind the station (in the golf club?).