Nang
Noppamas dancers perform beautifully at the Amari Orchid Resort.
Waterways in Sattahip are filled with people celebrating Loy Krathong.
Staff reporters
The air in Pattaya was filled with romance on Sunday
night, November 21, as couples from throughout the world floated their
krathongs to celebrate the age old tradition of Loy Krathong, one of the
most colorful and romantic celebrations in Thailand.
Local beaches were packed with residents, guests and
tourists who collectively painted the seas with their flowers, candles and
incense. It was truly one of the busiest and most enjoyable events that
Pattaya has seen in quite some time.
Hundreds
of tourists choose
Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens to enjoy Loy Krathong.
But the fun wasn’t just limited to the beaches, as
hotels, entertainment venues, tourist attractions, schools and just about
anywhere that people tend to gather held special Loy Krathong events.
One popular venue for the celebrations was the
Redemptorist Center where stalls were set up by the students and teachers
selling krathongs made of biodegradable natural substances.
The theme of the celebrations at the center was, “Little
krathongs uniting relationships and dreams as one.” The children who are
under the care of the Father Ray Foundation performed a myriad of cultural
activities including beautiful Thai dances and singing folk songs.
Guests
at the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort light their khomloys and prepare to
send them skyward, taking away bad luck for the coming year.
Contests were held to choose the most beautiful krathong
and prizes were also given for the best dressed children.
Hotels around town also organized fun filled Loy Krathong
festivities. Guests joined in to release hundreds of ‘khomloy’ hot air
balloons into the sky. This ceremony originated in the north of Thailand and
the belief is that by performing this act, one lets go of all the back luck
from oneself.
Celebrating traditional Loy Krathong at the Redemptorist Center.
Major hotels in Pattaya had their teams of international
and Thai chefs prepare the finest of cuisine and guests were thrilled by the
world class entertainment that visitors from around the world have become
accustomed to. The packed venues were a welcome indication that the coming
high tourist season will be one of the best and busiest ever.
Children float their ‘bread’ krathongs.
Meanwhile, more than a thousand Russian tourists thronged
the Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens where under the light of the full moon of
the 12th month of the Thai calendar, they floated their krathongs in the
vast clear ponds in the grounds of the popular tourist destination and
enjoyed cultural shows performed by world renowned Thai cultural performers.
It was not only fun and games during Loy Krathong as
revered Buddhist monk Phra Acharn Boonsong Upasamo from Wat Songmettawanaram
temple in Bang Saray led his devoted disciples to the Nong Nooch Gardens
where staff and visitors sat together under the bright moonlit night and
listened to the preaching of the Buddhist priest who spoke of mercy and
love.
Later everyone joined in merit making by releasing
animals and fish back into their natural habitat as a sign of repentance and
praying for forgiveness from Mother Ganges.
Tanaree
(Nong Nui) Fungpinyopab prepares
to float her krathong at the Redemptorist Center.
A loving
couple prepares to loy their krathong at the Montien Hotel.
The art
of traditional krathong making
on display at the Sheraton Pattaya Resort.
Beautiful Noppamas contestants display their krathong
at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort.
International School of Chonburi students release their krathongs
in the school’s play pool.
Guests
gather to float their krathongs at the Dusit Thani Pattaya Hotel.
Releasing khomloys at the Diana Garden Resort.
Staff
and guests gather by the pool
to loy their krathongs at the Hard Rock Hotel.
