He visits this store to keep abreast of what his friends are up to. During his last visit Katz was able to see the annual Rocket Festival in Phanom Phrai. Although he was intrigued by the rockets, Katz' visit was motivated by his desire to see the floats, sculptures and costumes that are paraded around the day before the launches. One float not likely to be seen in the United States and not likely to be seen in Thailand except in this context featured two revelers dressed in 15-foot costumes of people engaged in sex. These marched behind traditional Thai music groups and before the Thai dancers.
Some people drink beer, but the preferred drink is whiskey and soda with ice.
At the Buddhist Temple Wat Ba north of the provincial capital of Korat, more eccentric Thai sculpture was displayed. Referred to by some Thais as Wat Disney, Wat Ba exhibits cement sculptures depicting scenes from a Buddhist conception of the underworld, along with scenes from the realm of man. The Sawaan or heaven is under construction. The scenes from the underworld contain images of what might happen to you if you use heroin, drink too much liquor, are not respectful of your elders, or abuse your positions of power. Insertion of small change into devices attached to the sculptures brings forth screams and movement of the sculptures.