Thailand’s Loy Krathong Festival Honors the Late King with Unprecedented Grandeur

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department

The annual “Loy Krathong” festival has always been one of Southeast Asia’s most important celebrations and a globally recognized tourist event, attracting large numbers of visitors every year. Although the recent passing of the Thai king has plunged the nation into mourning for King Bhumibol, the Thai government, considering public livelihood, has decided to reopen tourism, entertainment, and other industries, and the “2016 Loy Krathong Festival (Loi Krathong)” will proceed as scheduled.

The Loy Krathong Festival is centered around four major cities: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, and Tak. In honor of the king’s passing, it will be held in a solemn and grand manner. In Chiang Mai, the festival will feature a display of candles forming the message “I Love My King.” The Ministry of Culture’s Cultural Promotion Department and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration are organizing the Loy Krathong-themed events, inviting the public to participate. During the event, an 89-second moment of silence will be observed, followed by a collective singing of the royal anthem “Sansoen Phra Barami” in tribute to the late king.

Furthermore, Tak Province will organize the “9,999 Loy Krathong Lanterns in Tribute to King Bhumibol” event along the Ping River, where coconut-shell lanterns, glowing brilliantly, will be lined up in a row on the river. Travelers planning to visit Thailand are recommended to witness this annual celebration, where they can savor traditional cuisine while enjoying cultural rituals and performances.