Tourists release a cartoon lantern.
Staff reporters
Pattaya’s decision to consolidate its usual two official Loy Krathong
celebrations into one proved a success as tourists and locals turned up at Lan
Pho Public Park for a krathong competition, Miss Noppamas pageant for young
girls, a country music concert from the P Saderd Band, booths selling food and
drinks, and vendors selling locally made products.
Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome kicked off the event, pointing out that the
Nov. 6 festival was just the start of a full calendar of high-season events,
such as, “The 100 Years Old Naklua Market that will be held on November 29;
Pattaya International Fireworks Festival November 28 - 29; the countdown
festival from December 25 to midnight of December 31; and the New Year 2015.”
Itthiphol also spoke about how the Loy Krathong Festival gives foreign guests a
chance to see Thai traditional dress, “As it is the only occasion that people
widely dress in Thai traditional costumes.” He finished with, “So today let us
jointly float our krathongs to apologize the Goddess of Water.”
Loy Krathong this year was as vibrant as previous years. People came out to
Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach, local temples and at Lan Pho Public Park in Naklua
to launch their floats of flowers and incense. Most were made of natural
materials, in accordance with the government’s policy to conserve the
environment.
Most tourists and Thais were aware of the environmental problems posed by
plastic krathongs, but some still used foam floats.
Roads were congested and beaches were crowded with people, especially at Lan
Pho, where an estimated 10,000 turned out for the concert by P Saderd, who is
best known for hit “Jee Hoi.”
Pattaya’s krathong contest awarded prizes for both the most-beautiful krathongs
in three categories: public, elementary and high school students. A second
contest awarded prizes for the most-creative krathong. All krathongs had to be
made from natural materials.
The sun sets behind a giant krathong on Beach Road
Pattaya.
A foreign “super” couple lets go of a lantern for
good luck.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and members of the Pattaya
City Council join people in floating their krathongs at Lan Pho Public Park.
A Nong Noppamas contestant floats a krathong with
her mother after the contest.
Thousands of krathongs were floated during the
evening.
Staff at entertainment venues on Walking Street were
having a vibrant time.
A family makes a wish before floating their krathong
into the sea at Pattaya Beach Soi 4.
Tourists stroll along, looking at beautiful
krathongs on Walking Street.
A lovely family prepares to loy their krathong.
Foreign teenage girls float lanterns together.
This Nong Noppamas contestant is very patriotic.
Three generations dress traditionally for the event.
The little winner of the Pattaya Nong Noppamas
contest.
Amari Pattaya General Manager Brendan Daly (center)
presents awards to Nong Noppamas contestants, including winner Nilobol Yusawat
(5th left) from the Kitchen Department. Manaschanok Thabthone (4th left) from
the Front Office Department finished runner-up, whilst Anusara Songkarin (4th
right) from the Food & Beverage Department (Mantra Restaurant & Bar) was awarded
second runner up.
Student teams celebrate winning the krathong
contest.
A boy poses before floating his krathong.
Boon Kanjanawararam Temple’s Loy Krathong event
features Thai folk dance music.
Children look for money from inside the krathongs.
Chaimongkol Temple in South Pattaya hosted a grand
Loy Krathong festival.
There is always a morning after - staff from the
office of Public Health and Environment clean leftover materials used in making
krathongs.
