BANGKOK, Nov 19 (TNA) – Final preparations are being put in
place across Thailand ahead of the upcoming Loy Krathong Festival which will be
celebrated on Thursday.
In one of Thailand’s most celebrated cultural festivals,
people will release floats called Krathong into waterways to pay respect to the
river goddess and symbolically let go of bad lucks.
Krathongs made of natural materials have been on high
demands as people are more aware of negative impacts of waste to the
environment. 
A group of wickerwork craftsmen in Trang province, southern
Thailand, is busy making krathongs from dried nipa leaves.
They have received purchase orders from buyers near and far.
Loy Krathong Festival is also associated with other cultural
celebration depending on history and custom of localities.
For people in the northernmost province of Chiang Rai, Loy
Krathong is held together with Yee Peng Festival, which also known as Lantern Festival.
Lantern makers in Mae Chan district are in the middle of
their busiest time of the year, trying to meet demand for colorful Yee Peng
lanterns.
In addition to conventional Lanna-styled lanterns, some of
contemporary-themed such as the Wild Boars football team and cartoon characters
are available.
One-of-a-kind Loy Krathong celebration will be held in Tak
province. Picturesque event will feature
thousands of illuminated krathongs floating down the Mae Ping River in Loy
Krathong Sai.
This year the Festival was officially commenced on Sunday
featuring cultural shows, ancient sports and food fair.
Tak Governor Charoenrit Sa-nguansap released eight krathongs
granted by the members of the Royal Family into the river.
Other essential Loy
Krathong activities on the full moon day of the 12th month of traditional Thai
calendar include processions of floats from local communities and Nang
Nopphamat beauty queen contests.(TNA)
