Loy Krathong spices up Thai tourism

BANGKOK, November 25 (TNA) - At least 10,000 tourists Sunday crossed the Thai-Cambodian border into Thailand to celebrate the annual Loy Krathong festival, which falls on Wednesday November 28 this year. Pol. Lt. Col. Somsak Jiamkorakot, chief immigration officer at the Thai border province of Sa Kaeo, said celebrating in Cambodia was unlikely due to the death of former king Norodom Sihanouk in October. Updated reports said tourists had to spend more than three hours at the Thai immigration checkpoint in Baan Khlong Luek, Aranyaprathet district, due to a large number of visitors. Loy Krathong festival is widely held throughout Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand. Highlights include the floating of banana leaves in the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar, or November, to pay respect to the spirit of the waters. (TNA)