Loy Krathong 2548

[Jai Dee]

SURATTANI PROVINCE WILL ORGANIZE LOY KRATONG IN 3 LOCATIONS IN MUANG DISTRICT

Surattani Province will organize the Loy Kratong festival in 3 locations in Muang district, to uphold the tradition and promote tourism in the province.

Mayor of Surattani’s Muang district Mrs. Somboon Suwannabut (สมบูรณ์ สุวรรณบุตร) said that the Muang municipality organizes Loy Kratong festival every year, to uphold the country’s traditional and cultural event as well as promote the province’s tourism industry. She said that this year, the event will be orgaznied in three cornors of the town, along the Ta Pee (ตาปี) river, at Wat Thatong (วัดท่าทอง), and Khun Ta Lae (ขุนทะเล) pond.

Meanwhile, Supanburi governor Songpol Timasart (ทรงพล ทิมาศาสตร์) asks the people who will come out to celebrate Loy Kratong tonight that they use natural substances as materials for their lanterns. He added that fireworks are banned this year, because in the past they have caused many injuries. He also said that the people should exercise more caution when traveling, to prevent possible accidents.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

PRICE OF ORCHIDS HAVE INCREASED DRAMATICALLY DURING LOY KRATHONG FESTIVITIES

People this year still give importance to preserving the environment, by using krathongs (กระทง) made from natural materials, as they prepare to float their krathongs tonight.

The shopping atmosphere at Pakkhlongtalard (ปากคลองตลาด), the country's largest wholesales market for roses, flowers, and similiar items, is not as vibrant as the same period last year. Orchid flowers at the market were on sale at 50 baht a kilogram, 40 baht higher than the normal price. Other flowers used for making krathongs have also had price increases. However banana leaves were sold at lower-than-normal price as there was an upward surge in supply. People has also shown interest in krathongs made from bread and vegetables, as these were not highly priced and were promoted as environment friendly.

Authorities are urging people to help preserve the environment and save a massive amount of money that would have to be used in clearing the waterways, by using krathongs made from natural materials.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

CITY OFFICIALS TO PATROL CITY TO PREVENT THE USE OF FIREWORKS TONIGHT

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will allocate officials to monitor firework lighting in the Loy Kratong festival tonight.

Bagnkok governor Apirak Kosayothin (อภิรักษ์ โกษะโยธิน) said that the BMA has organized various activities in parks across the city to celebrate the Loy Kratong festival. He said that the event will focus on preserving traditional culture and conserving environment, adding that the people must use lanterns made by natural materials only. Mr. Apirak added that the BMA has set up a commission, along with city inspectors and officials from the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, to inspect production and distribution sites of fireworks since the beginning of this month. He said that officials will patrol the event venues tonight to make sure that no fireworks are lit tonight, as the fireworks could cause harm to the people.

Mr. Apirak said that the BTS and the subways will increase its operating hours to meet the demands of people during the festival. He added that the BMA will also campaign with the “Drink, don’t Drive” Foundation in encouraging people to use public transportation if they are going to have alcohol, so that possible accidents can be prevented.

The BMA will clean-up the areas around the city immediately after the celebrations. It expects to finish cleaning the city by 9AM tomorrow.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

KHON KAEN PROVINCE FORBIDS USE OF FIREWORK AND STREET PARTIES DURING LOY KRATONG

Khonkaen (ขอนแก่น) governor Jet Tanawat (เจตน์ ธนวัฒน์) has forbidden the use of firework and brawls during the festival in the province tonight.

Mr. Jet revealed that this year, the Khonkaen provincial administration will observe the tradition by organizing two events at Sri Tan (ศรีฐาน) pond in Khon Kaen university and Pak Tung (ปากถุง) pond in Nam Pong (น้ำพอง) district. He said there will also be performances on the legend of Nam Pong river at Pak Tung pond.

Mr. Jet invites the people to celebrate the event but he asks that they do not play fireworks as they can cause dangers to other people. He added that teenagers that come to the events are forbidden from fighting, adding that officials will be stationed at the venues to prevent any incidents.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

LOY KRATONG FESTIVAL IS EXPECTED TO GENERATE MORE THAN 10 MILLION BAHT IN REVENUE IN TAK PROVINCE

Tak Chamber of Commerce president Suchart Triratwattana (สุชาติ ตรีรัตน์วัฒนา) expects that this year’s Loy Kratong festival will generate more than 10 million baht in revenue for the province, while the Myanmese living across Mae Sot (แม่สอด) district have begun celebrating the tradition in Meoi (เมย) River since last night.

Mr. Suchart said that the province expects many Thai and foreign tourists to come to the festivities tonight, as the province will organize the festival to foster good relations between Thailand and Myanmar in Mae Sot (แม่สอด) district. He said that this year, the atmosphere is more lively than the past, as there are more tourists in the city than the past years by 20%. He said that hotels and restaurants are earning more money during this time.

Mr. Suchart said that the joint Loy Kratong festival between Thailand and Myanmar in Mae Sot has begun since yesterday and will continue tonight.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 November 2005

[Jai Dee]

Loy Krathong online here.

Thanks to Bambi for the link.