Everything's Coming Up.... Orchids!

The first weekend of February always heralds the approaching end of our 'cool season' with the annual Flower Festival, which includes the ubiquitous beauty contest, a fabulous display of award-winning orchids and bonsai, and of course, a terrific parade. Thais know how to throw a parade: marching bands in sometimes-kooky theme attire


alternate with ornate, flower-filled floats bearing beautiful ladies, and/or celebrating the King







and are interspersed with handsome couples in historic costume,


sword dancers, Lan Na gong and drum groups, hilltribes in their respective ethnic outfits (Hmong shown here),

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and phalanxes of traditionally-attired Thais representing villages or companies or other entities. The Fashionistas were also out in force, with some curious interpretations of Western fashions, notwithstanding ironic t-shirts.




The favorite fashion accessory was the colorful Thai umbrella.



Watching the parade-watchers was also good sport.