The Cha-Am International Kite Festival has been happening at the end of windy season, around 26 km North of Hua-Hin, Thailand. In 2025, the 12th edition was held on the weekend from 21 to 23 March.

As a kite-surfer, I was very curious on what was it all about. I was very happy when my friend Patrick Jacobs invited me, and he was even kind enough to lend me some of his photo lenses –  Sigma Art 105 mm f/1.4 and the old Nikon 14-24 mm f/2.8. 

I’m not reviewing the Sigma lArt ens, as it was just a lazy Sunday afternoon. My goal was just to bring some colourful memories of the event. However I must say I was impressed with the relation price /quality of the Sigma Art . Being a portrait lens, it also excels on landscape. Autofocus is fast and precise enough on Nikon D850. Sharpness is outstanding without being analytic. Bokeh and transitions are smooth; I noticed no visible geometrical, chromatic aberrations or fringing. Colours are a bit washed out and it slightly tends to the reds, but it’s easily corrected with software.

Enough with technical stuff, the festival itself was fun and interesting – a good way to mingle with the locals and take part on their way of life and traditions. Sure there were many kites, from big whales to small insects, with cartoon characters and monsters in between. 11 countries  (USA, Colombia, France, Switzerland, Germany, UK, Netherlands, Australia, Japan, China, and Thailand) took part in the kite festival – bringing their imaginative kites and competing in synchronised kite flying. 

There was also a DIY Kite Workshop, where people could create their own kites. a huge kite market, with kites and accessories. Also there was an area where everyone could fly their own.

For the many families who spent the whole afternoon at the festival, a Food & Beverages zone was also installed. There was a stage for live music, but we didn’t attend any concert. Apart from the kite related activities, the beach kept its usual ones, like jet-skiing and horse-riding. 

To the moment I’m writing this post, I’m still amazed how the kites can fly, keep stable and display these elaborate shapes — all wind powered. It’s a show of ingenuity and expertise with an enchanting aesthetic result.