The Lao and Thai governments will jointly organize an
event to mark the end of the Buddhist Lent next month, with the ‘Great
Serpent’s Fire’ phenomenon to be its highlight, according to Minister to
the Prime Minister’s Office Somsak Thepsutin.
Somsak, who oversees the Tourism Authority of Thailand
(TAT), said that given the TAT’s Thailand Grand Festival campaign, the
monthly theme in October is the Magnificent Mekong River. "October is
the time when the Bang Fai Phraya Nak event - fire balls emerging from the
Mekong River - can be observed from the riversides of Laos and Thailand. The
spectacular phenomenon can normally be observed on October 21," he
stated.
Before the Bang Fai Phraya Nak event, TAT will organize a
prelude event, called the Sattabucha Nakahaengkong, between October 15 and
21 to pay respect to the sacred serpent in the Mekong River.
Activities during the 7-day event include a display of
Buddha image, Phra Uppakut, a procession of the Great Serpent, flags, flower
kratongs (illuminated floats) launched on the Full Moon or Loy Kratong
Festival, a Light and Sound presentation, and the Buang Suang ceremony to
pay homage to the Great Serpent in the Mekong River.
Somsak said, "We’ve asked Vientiane to keep the
border open for 24 hours on the night of the grand celebration on October
21, but no conclusion has been reached. A blackout may be arranged at the
celebration to expose the natural beauty of the fire balls in the middle of
the Mekong River," he added.
TAT will also launch a mountain bike competition in the
China-Thailand-Laos route on October 8th.
A caravan trip will be arranged between October 25 and
29, starting from Thailand’s northeastern province of Udon Thani to
Tungfoylom, which is a new tourist attraction in Laos, funded and developed
by TAT. (TNA)
