The Yasothon Bun Bang Fai rocket festival in Thailand is a memorable and noisy day for all those who experience it.
The festival, based in the village's Phaya Thaen Park, has its origins in the attempts of locals to stimulate the rain clouds and help encourage the rain gods to provide plenty of precipitation for the rice growing season.
This need for rain has become especially desperate in this particular part of north-eastern Thailand after a number of droughts in recent years.
Today, the ceremonies have turned in to a competition as teams launch the bamboo, gunpowder propelled rockets skywards in a bid to reach the greatest height and take home the first prize.
There will also be a large feast to enjoy as well as beauty pageants to gaze upon.
