The PM officially opened the ceremony at the canal at 19:00 and said he hoped for happiness for all Thais at this auspicious time of the year. Afterwards, he said he had prayed for national reconciliation and posterity for Thailand as he launched his krathong.
The origins of the Loy Krathong Festival lie in an ancient belief that people had to say sorry to river deities for dirtying their water over the previous 12 months. Loy Krathong is celebrated all over Thailand, but in Chiang Mai and Sukhothai it tends to be more colourful and last longer.
Chiang Mai has another evening to go. Visitors can take in a fireworks display, traditional Lanna folk and dance performances, and a parade through the old city quarter tonight. The hub of the happenings is on the square in front of the city municipality’s offices.
Thai PM floats boat for Loy Krathong Festival
News in Asia
Yesterday evening, the Thai prime-minister launched a model boat out on to a canal in front of Parliament to mark the annual Loy Krathong Festival. General Prayut Chan-o-cha led members of the cabinet and their partners in launching colourful krathong watercraft into the Phadung Krungkasem Canal.