Chiang Mai Loy Krathong Festival (Part 2)::A Spectacular Performance in Front of a World Heritage Site

Even after 700 years, the tradition of releasing lanterns and sky lanterns across Thailand has not diminished—in fact, it has become even more vibrant and colorful. The origins of the tradition are best preserved in Sukhothai, where every full moon, families light oil lamps and release sky and water lanterns in front of their homes. In larger cities like Chiang Mai and Bangkok, celebrations are also widespread on this day. Depending on the location, there are various parades during the day and night, especially Chiang Mai’s float parade, which is not only grand and lively but also features eye-catching lantern-like installations that are truly captivating. Moreover, naturally cheerful Thai people, who love picnicking on a daily basis, gather in parks, grassy fields, or by riversides across the country to enjoy festive meals with family and friends.
 

Besides the traditional releasing of lanterns, over a decade ago, the Thai government, in honor of a visit by the Japanese royal family, commissioned a large-scale theatrical performance supervised by the current Princess (now Second Princess). This grand landscape show, performed in front of the Great Buddha of Sukhothai—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—has since become one of the highlights of the annual Loy Krathong Festival. The Sukhothai World Heritage Site is open to the public at night only during this time of year. At dusk, people gather here for picnics, and as night falls, stage lights and music suddenly pierce the otherwise quiet evening. A spectacular landscape performance combining the World Heritage site, lighting effects, dazzling fireworks, and historical legends officially begins. The performers in the show are locals and students from Sukhothai, who passionately perform dances and songs in front of ancient Buddha statues that have existed since the founding of Thailand, telling stories of the nation’s history and cultural traditions to all visiting guests. Perhaps because the performance takes place before the Buddha, and due to Thailand’s world-renowned reverence for Buddhism, the atmosphere is filled with a deep sense of history, culture, and devotion.