Thailand's lively Loy Krathong Festival 2014

BANGKOK, November 4 (TNA) - People in several areas in Thailand, including Bangkok, are actively organizing activities for this year's Loy Krathong Festival, which officially falls on November 6. In Bangkok, people are welcome to their krathong floats with fragrant candles at the Yannawa Temple, where religious ceremonies are also organized, including those for people to worship Buddha relics, from November 4-6. In Chiang Mai Province in the Thai North, urban areas are beautifully decorated with Lanna-styled lanterns and more than 80 per cent of local hotel rooms have been reserved; while local Buddhists, particularly the elderly, make merits, including giving alms to monks, worshipping the Buddha image, listening to sermons and attending prayers at temples. Tourism authorities expect that over 500 million baht should be changed hands during this year's Loy Krathong Festival in the globally-renowned northern Thai resort province. In nearby Chiang Rai Province, authorities have canceled 12 night flights at Chiang Rai Airport, from 6pm, during November 5-7 to avoid adverse impacts of sky lanterns. In Sukothai Province in the Lower Thai North, known as the origin of Thailand's Loy Kratong Festival, several areas are now crowded with tourists to enjoy the annual festivity, including the provincial historical park, where light and sound shows and the ancient Thai trading atmosphere, dating back more than 700 years ago, are organized, while krathongs of all members of the Royal Thai Family will be floated on November 6. In Si Sa Ket Province in the Thai Northeast, sky lanterns and alcohol sales are banned at festive venues. In Bueng Kan Province, also in the Thai Northeast, local officials were clearing out weeds and cleaning up waterways, as part of provincial preparations for this year's Loy Kratong Festival on November 6. In Chantaburi Province in the Thai East, Cambodian migrant workers are actively leaving the province to join the Loy Krathong Festival in their home country from November 5-7. In Songkhla Province in the Thai South, local police are setting up another security checkpoint near Samila Beach in Muang District to prevent violence and dangers from the misuse of fireworks. (TNA)