A violent tropical storm swept through Udon Thani last night, sending its iconic-yet-cursed giant rubber duckie once more into the air to the screams of terrified residents.
The latest in a series of unfortunate incidents to befall the town mascot, the storm which hit last night was severe enough to prevent flights from landing at the regional airport but allow the duck to take off, sending it, smile and all, careening through the air to terrify the town once again.
“It’s coming, it’s coming, ahhhhhh!” residents can be heard screaming in a video posted online in a local events group. The video shows the duck swaying violently in the water as the sound of ripping wind is heard. Soon the synthetic waterfowl breaks loose from its moorings and sails toward onlookers, who can be heard squealing at the top of their lungs.
The duck then soars across Tesa Street to come to rest on the roof of a massage parlor. Fortunately, apart from some scares, there were no reports of injury or damage.
As it has every time the duck as been punctured, sent flying or tattooed by vandals, Udon Thani moved to rebuild. After the storm subsided, officials collected the partially deflated duck from the roof.
It was the latest in a long series of freaky incidents involving the giant rubber duck and her little rubber ducklings, which have been a tourist highlight and major selfie stop for six years.
Once upon a time, Udon Thani’s governor wanted something nice to boost the pride and fortune of his people. So, in 2013 he borrowed a giant, rubber duck from “a friend” to set afloat in a picturesque lake in the middle of town. It was a hit with everyone.
What could possibly go wrong?
Hell of yes: Giant Rubber Duck floats Udon Thani pride
“For four wonderful months, Udon Thanites bathed in the glow of yellow pride thanks to their beloved Giant Rubber Duck. Spirits were lifted; anything seemed possible,” we wrote in early 2014.
That’s when, in the ides of March, the duck first took flight on fierce winds to terrify the town. It laid waste to the town center before it was brought down that horrible day.
ไปถ่ายภาพเป็ดยักษ์อุดร นางเปลี่ยนไปเยอะเลย#เรื่องจริงมันเศร้าเรื่องเล่ามันตลก pic.twitter.com/rMIdtH75wn
— 🐒 • Monkey°T•👣 (@_iMonkeyT9) March 19, 2014
Once they’d licked their wounds, Udon Thanites got to work restoring their beloved mascot. Soon it was back, better than ever. If people saw any scars or stretch-marks, those were easily explained by the addition of two ducklings floating alongside – each larger than a wolf.
Yet fresh tragedy soon struck the duck and that northern paradise anew. Another storm tore through town and, when the skies cleared, residents found the ducklings floating sadly beside their fallen guardian, orphaned.
The ducks were restored and lived relatively uneventful lives until two years ago when a man took it onto himself to give them some magical tattoos. The town was not amused.
Related Giant Rubber Duck Stories:
Man who gave Udon ducks yantra tattoos sends his aunt and uncle to apologize
Ducky Crush Saga: Tragic storm orphans giant duck babies
Dirty Duck Dynasty: All of Udon turns out to burnish their pride
Rubber monster back from the dead, now with two little babies
Yet a duck! Rubber monster rampage leaves a deflated Udon Thani in mourning
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