Super heroes take to sky in Thailand's int'l kite festival

HUA HIN, Thailand, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Giant fancy kites in shapes of super heroes from 14 countries worldwide took to sky at the Thailand International Kite Festival in southern Thailand's seaside resort Hua Hin on Sunday.

The summer sky above the coastal city has been filled with color as giant kites in the forms of cartoon characters namely superman, transformers and batman and kites in geometric forms soar. All kinds of kites ride the sea breezes, including big kites, little kites, stunt kites, high tech kites and the battling displays of international kites.

Shows of unique Thai kites dancing in the sky, accompanied by Thai classical music Pi Phat ensemble have been the highlight of the event in which flying teams from four countries jointly show off their high-speed flying skills to improvise an air ballet of kites.

The tourism authority of Thailand has invited 20 kite flying teams from various countries, including Switzerland, Germany, France and China. Held during March 23 to March 25, the event attracts thousands of kite enthusiasts from all over the world to the famous seaside destination on the gulf of Thailand.

"We are looking for the best kite fliers in the world, and we know the best ones are in China, namely the two-line teams and the big-kite teams." said the festival's co-organizer, Ron Spaulding.

"It's a family kite festival. I'm inviting people with their families to the event, as it's a place to leave good memories," said Ron, adding that the festival is a golden opportunity for family gathering as Thai students have summer vocation in March.

"The festival runs in a very friendly atmosphere and it has so many countries represented, that's what makes it different. It's like a cultural exchange running for nearly 20 years so all became a family," said Simon, a kite flier from New Zealand who has been a fan of the festival for more than three years.

The festival returns to Hua Hin this year, a town about a three-hour drive from Bangkok.

Once a quiet fishing village, Hua Hin grew into a fashionable escape for residents of Bangkok after the 1920s, when the Thai royal family built summer palaces here. Hua Hin Beach, popular for kitesurfing and other water sports, is the main stretch of sand, lined with high-end hotels and seafood shacks. Enditem