Sukhothai cancels annual Loy Krathong celebration

SUKHOTHAI, THAILAND, October 18 (TNA) - Thailand's lower northern Sukhothai Province has canceled its main Loy Kranthong festivity next month, as the whole nation is in a one-year mourning period for late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away last Thursday. Sukhothai Governor Piti Kaewsalabsi announced on Tuesday that his province's renowned candle light festivity, normally held during the annual Loy Krathong Festival, will be canceled although it was earlier set to be organized during November 10-14 from 6pm to midnight. The governor explained that the organizing committee has agreed to cancel all festive activities during the ongoing mourning period for the late beloved and revered Thai monarch. The governor said, however, that people can go to float their Krathongs, small lotus-shaped rafts mostly made from banana leaves and decorated with flowers, joss sticks and candles, at the Sukhothai Historic Park as previous years. According to the governor, the Sukhothai Historic Park has been asked to exempt its entrance fees for international tourists who will float their Krathongs, traditionally belived to also float out their troubles and to pay tribute to the Goddess Ganga, at a lagoon inside the historic park in order to conserve the traditonal Thai culture. Late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyaej, the world's longest-reigned Thai monarch, passed away peacefully at Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital on October 13 at the age of 89. (TNA)