Balloon festival starts in Hat Yai

SONGKHLA, April 29 (TNA) -- In an attempt to further boost tourism business in the southern district of Hat Yai of Songkhla province, near the Thai-Malaysian border, tourism authorities on Friday launch a three-day International Balloon Festival for the second time in the shopping paradise district. Huge and colourful balloons from 12 countries will be displayed during the festival which will be officially opened Friday night at the Jiranakorn Stadium, one of the landmarks in Hat Yai. The opening ceremony will be made along with exciting light and sound. The glamorous balloons participating in the event are dispatched from South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, India, the Philippines, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Belgium and Thailand. Organised jointly by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Hat Yai municipality, the 2nd International Balloon Festival is certain to draw people from nearby provinces and foreign tourists to watch. Visitors can watch the balloons between 4pm - 8.30pm until Sunday at the stadium. (TNA)