NAKHON PHANOM, Thailand – Thousands of tourists are flocking to Thailand’s northeastern Nakhon Phanom province for the annual Illuminated Boat Procession Festival, a centuries-old Buddhist tradition marking the end of the rainy season retreat, Oct 17.
The festival, which runs from October 8-18, features elaborately decorated boats illuminated with thousands of lights floating down the Mekong River. The highlight of the event will occur on Thursday, coinciding with the full moon day marking the end of Buddhist Lent.
This year’s festival showcases 12 large fire boats, one from each district, competing for top honors. Some boats measure up to 80 meters long and 35 meters high, adorned with over 30,000 lights each.
The main attraction is a traditional fire boat crafted by skilled artisans, requiring over 50 people to light. This boat, shaped like the revered Phra That Phanom stupa, creates a stunning display as it drifts along the Mekong at night.
New additions this year include eight boats representing birth-day stupas from different districts, blending traditional designs with modern light and sound technology.
Tonight, the festival also features a drone light show with 500 drones, 5,000 floating lanterns, and fireworks along a 4-kilometer stretch of the Mekong River.
Daytime activities include boat races and visits to the giant Naga statue, a popular local landmark.
Tourism officials report that over 405,000 visitors have attended the festival in its first nine days, generating an estimated 261 million baht ($7.8 million) in local revenue. (TNA)
