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A Thai family prepare to release a water lantern to Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, Oct. 31, 2009. The Thailand's traditional Loi Krathong Festival or the Water Festival came on Saturday with tens of housands Thai people released water lanterns for peace and luck. (Xinhua/Shi Xianzhen) |
BANGKOK, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- The traditional "Loi Krathong Festival" opened here on Saturday night with thousands of Thai people and foreigners joining the event.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Minister of Tourism and Sports Chumpol Silapa-archa, and Taya Teepsuwan, Deputy Governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) jointly started the opening ceremony held at Suan Luang Rama 8 Bridge.
The festival held by the Tourism Authorities of Thailand and the BMA, will last from Saturday until Nov. 2.
"Loi Krathong" is held on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In the western calendar this usually falls in November.
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A water lantern lady performs at the opening ceremony of the traditional Loi Krathong Festival or the Water Festival in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, Oct. 31, 2009. Tens of housands Thai people released water lanterns for peace and luck on the day. (Xinhua/Shi Xianzhen) |
"Loi" means "to float". "Krathong" is a raft about a hand span in diameter traditionally made from a section of banana tree trunk(although modern-day versions use specially made bread 'flowers' and may use styrofoam), decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles, incense sticks and so on.
During the night of the full moon, many people will release a small raft like this on a river. Governmental offices, corporations and other organizations also build much bigger and more elaborate rafts, and these are often judged in contests. In addition, fireworks and beauty contests take place during the festival.
The tradition based on a Hindu tradition of thanking water goddess for the waters as well as offering apologies for misusing it, dates back to the existence of the Sukhothai Kingdom, some 700years ago. It is part of Thailand's cultural heritage that portrays the Thai people's way of life, particularly their affinity to water and other agricultural activities. It marks the end of the rainy reason and the rice harvest.
The festival is celebrated nationwide in Thailand, especially where there are rivers, canals or sources of water, with different unique characteristics.
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Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (R) prepares to release a water lantern at the opening ceremony of the traditional Loi Krathong Festival or the Water Festival in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, Oct. 31, 2009. Tens of housands Thai people released water lanterns for peace and luck on the day. (Xinhua/Shi Xianzhen) |
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A couple of dancers perform at the opening ceremony of the traditional Loi Krathong Festival or the Water Festival in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, Oct. 31, 2009. Tens of housands Thai people released water lanterns for peace and luck on the day. (Xinhua/Shi Xianzhen)
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Dancers perform at the opening ceremony of the traditional Loi Krathong Festival or the Water Festival in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, Oct. 31, 2009. Tens of housands Thai people released water lanterns for peace and luck on the day. (Xinhua/Shi Xianzhen)
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A Thai woman releases a water lantern to Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, Oct. 31, 2009. The Thailand's traditional Loi Krathong Festival or the Water Festival came on Saturday with tens of housands Thai people released water lanterns for peace and luck. (Xinhua/Shi Xianzhen) |