TAT to organize Thailand's Loy Krathong festival Nov 15-17

BANGKOK, October 30 (TNA) - The state-run Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will organize its Loy Krathong festival from November 15-17 to promote Thai cultures, while entertainment will not be a highlight. TAT Deputy Governor Vilaiwan Twichasri, who oversees tourism products, told reporters on Wednesday that TAT's Loy Krathong or floating decorations festival from November 15-17 will take place at the Asiatique shopping center along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. Vilaiwan said, however, this year's Loy Krathong will be adjusted to respond to the ongoing mourning period for Thailand' late Supreme Patriarch as instructed by the government. According to the TAT deputy governor, activities of this year's Loy Krathong festival will be focused on Thai cultures and traditions, cultural shows, an exhibition on the Loy Krathong traditions of all Thai regions and a show of 10 illuminated boats which will come from the Rama VIII Bridge to the Asiatique shopping center in the capital. The TAT deputy governor confirmed that there will not be any music in the boat show. Besides, there will be fireworks but their noises will be limited. The TAT deputy governor acknowledged that TAT has invited staffs of 30 foreign embassies in Thailand to join this year's Loy Krathong festival, with those of 25 embassies having accepted the invitation. Last year, TAT's Loy Krathong festival attracted a total of about 600,000 international visitors to Thailand, with Bangkok alone attracting some 200,000 visitors. The number of international visitors to Thailand during this year's Loy Krathong festival is expected to rise by 10 per cent year-on-year, as TAT extends the period of the Loy Krathong festival to three days to promote Loy Krathong as a Thai international tourism product to attract international tourists. (TNA)