Summary:
When the Lord Buddha was in his bodhisatta incarnation as King of the Toads Phaya Khang Khak and married to Udon Khuruthawip, his sermons drew
everyone, creatures and sky-dwellers alike, away from Phaya Thaen, King of the Sky. Angry Phaya Thaen withheld life-giving rains from the earth for
seven years, seven months and seven days. Acting against the advice of the Toad King, Phaya Naga, Phayanak King of the Naga (and personification of
the Mekong) declared war on Phaya Thaen -- and lost. Persuaded to assume command, King Toad enlisted the aid of termites to build mounds reaching to
the heavens; venomous scorpions and centipedes to attack Phaya Thaen's feet; and hornets for air support. Aerial warfare against Phaya Thaen in his
own element had proved futile; but even the Sky must come down to the ground: on the ground the war was won, and Phaya Thaen sued for peace. Naga
Rockets fired in the air at the end of the hot, dry season are not to threaten Phaya Thaen, but only serve to remind him of his treaty obligations
made to Lord Bodhisatta Phaya Khang Khok, King of the Toads, down on the ground. For his part Phaya Nak was rewarded by being given the duty of Honor
Guard at most Thai and Lao temples.
After the harvest of the resulting crops, man-sized kites with a strung bow are staked out in winter monsoon winds to signal Phaya Thaen that he has
sent enough rain.
This English version from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_Festival)
No. of Pages: 200 No. of Fascicles: 1 Script: Tham Isan