Loy Krathong celebrations postponed

[webfact]

Loy Krathong celebrations postponed



BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand has announced that it will postpone its annual celebrations for the Loy Krathong festival in honor of the late Supreme Patriarch.

The news comes following an announcement from Thawatchai Arunyik, TAT deputy governor for domestic marketing, who said that festivities will be suspended as the country is in mourning.

The festival was due to take place on November 17th, however, the government recently announced an extension to the mourning period to November 23rd.

It is planned that the Loy Krathong festivities, which are normally organized in Bangkok and throughout all other major destinations in Thailand, will be discussed once the mourning period is finished.


-- 2013-10-28

[Tatsujin]

Wonder if TAT can tell us how many tourists come to see Loy Kratong and are pissed that so many things are affected?

[pnustedt]

A bit like postponing Christmas in the UK if the Archbishop of Canterbury died in December

[ginjag]

Wonder if TAT can tell us how many tourists come to see Loy Kratong and are pissed that so many things are affected?

A load of drunks could run TAT better, and at a fraction of it's billions it receives. The plug will soon have to be pulled on this body or the whole job lot will sink. Tourist figures are c#ap entry figures are correct. get real you overpaid click, Help the tourist not keep looking for the impossible.

[pgrahmm]

That's a big black eye for tourism for those that planned ahead and are locked in to flights, hotels, arrangements......businesses.......

Edited October 28, 2013 by pgrahmm

[harrry]

Not a good move as far as the tourists who come here at that time paying a premium because of the higher airfares as it is a special time and do not recieve what they consider they paid for. They also talk to their friends. TAT may be trying to live up to its other names...Thailand Anti Tourism,.

[laurentbkk]

I understand about the mourning and this is actually quite ok with all due respects...but what about all those who booked and paid for air ticket and hotels to see the celebration of Loy kratong ???? will they get a refund ? Maybe TAT should think first about this as the impact on the Thailand image will be ...damage.

[coma]

The news comes following an announcement from Thawatchai Arunyik, TAT deputy governor for domestic marketing, who said that festivities will be suspended as the country is in mourning.

Really ??

[soi41]

A bit like postponing Christmas in the UK if the Archbishop of Canterbury died in December

Spot on!!

Loy Krathong is in honour of Buddha (I know there are many legends) and because of the dead of the Patriarch of Thai buddhism, people are told not to honour Buddha, to show their respect???

And since when is TAT in charge of religious affairs in Thailand?

Dear TAT keep bringing in 5 m tall Chinese tourists, and if you have sparetime, please issue another prognosis:

Allways good for a laugh!!

[Guest]

I'm assuming they're referring to officially organised events. I'm also guessing that the regular Loy Krathong with ordinary people doing their thing riverside etc will go ahead on 17th.

[fab4]

Wonder if TAT can tell us how many tourists come to see Loy Kratong and are pissed that so many things are affected?

I'm with you on that. The dates for Loy Krathong are normally published quite late in the day anyway - this will only add to the confusion.

Far be it from me to question the decision but apparently the Loy Krathong festival is based on a Brahman festival and was adapted by the Thais to honour the Buddhas cremated relic/s once they had adopted Buddhism.Held at the same time in the North the Yi Ping Festival is a time to make merit.

Surely both ceremonies are suitable occasions to be held during the mourning period?

[pnustedt]

The dates for Loy Krathong are normally published quite late in the day anyway - this will only add to the confusion.

Loy Krathong is honoured on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. It is not a "published date". Perhaps they can move the full moon?

[Thormaturge]

The dates for Loy Krathong are normally published quite late in the day anyway - this will only add to the confusion.

Loy Krathong is honoured on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. It is not a "published date". Perhaps they can move the full moon?

Exactly.

There will now be two Loy Krathongs this year. The real one on the full moon and an official one sometime later. A bit like the Queen's birthday in the UK.

[noitom]

The dates for Loy Krathong are normally published quite late in the day anyway - this will only add to the confusion.

Loy Krathong is honoured on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. It is not a "published date". Perhaps they can move the full moon?

Thai can and will move the full moon.

[Thormaturge]

Or just maybe, given the entire purpose of Loy Krathong anyway, this could have been made a very special event to honour the passing of the Supreme Patriarch.

[disagree]

Or just maybe, given the entire purpose of Loy Krathong anyway, this could have been made a very special event to honour the passing of the Supreme Patriarch.

Or maybe, just maybe, respect how the Thais run their own religion and stop complaining about how it's inconvenient for you. As it's the least of their worries.

[alant]

TAT may like to explain this when they attend the promo event in London, "oh sorry we have just cancelled one of our biggest festivals, never mind"..

[daoyai]

It is only symbolic, just like the 30 day no music, no nightlife , no drinking.... symbolicly the land is in mourning, but life continues unchanged, same with a lunar calander observence, it has symbolicly been changed, reality remains unchanged.

[h90]

A bit like postponing Christmas in the UK if the Archbishop of Canterbury died in December

Well the pope could postpone Christmas, because he is direct connected with god and can't do wrong.

[GentlemanJim]

Or just maybe, given the entire purpose of Loy Krathong anyway, this could have been made a very special event to honour the passing of the Supreme Patriarch.

Or maybe, just maybe, respect how the Thais run their own religion and stop complaining about how it's inconvenient for you. As it's the least of their worries.

What do you mean 'respect how the Thai's run their religion'? You mean the Dep Governor of the TAT? This is his take on it and frankly my Thai family think it's a stupid idea. Find an anger management program

[chooka]

Since when has the Tourism Authority been in charge of cultural events and annual festivals? It is a little like the Australian Tourism Commission saying we will postpone the Melbourne Cup or Easter.

Just how much power and what size stick do TAT wield in Thailand, geez they are even setting up their own private court and judicial system in the airport.

So what is the tourism authority going to do for those tourists that booked their holidays 12 months ago specifically to witness Loy Krathong or are tourists not really party of the tourism authorities agenda.

Edited October 28, 2013 by chooka

[Mosha]

The article says TAT have cancelled it's celebrations, Since when does TAT control Thai festivals?

Edited October 28, 2013 by Mosha

[rkidlad]

Or just maybe, given the entire purpose of Loy Krathong anyway, this could have been made a very special event to honour the passing of the Supreme Patriarch.

Or maybe, just maybe, respect how the Thais run their own religion and stop complaining about how it's inconvenient for you. As it's the least of their worries.

Yea, it's not 'the Thais' running anything. It's a small group of cretins making poor decisions that 'they' deem fit. They're not taking 'the Thais' feelings into account one bit. Government knows best.

[americaninbangkok]

Or maybe, just maybe, respect how the Thais run their own religion and stop complaining about how it's inconvenient for you. As it's the least of their worries.

You're just being disagreeable, right? There is no outcry by Thais about "running their own religion"... this just more stupidity by TAT.

[DocN]

Or just maybe, given the entire purpose of Loy Krathong anyway, this could have been made a very special event to honour the passing of the Supreme Patriarch.

Or maybe, just maybe, respect how the Thais run their own religion and stop complaining about how it's inconvenient for you. As it's the least of their worries.

Yeah, right!

I will do so, as soon as Thais respect their own religion!

...aaaaawwww, look...flying pigs!

[PJcm]

As for me personally if there are less fire crackers and explosions this year,

it will be a god send to tranquility.

[slipperylobster]

Keep in mind...this is not our country and not our customs/religion. Thailand does not need to pander to your vacation schedule. Obviously, a great man died, in their eyes, and they need to do something extraordinary to mark his passing. It is admirable but also a bit "quaint". The world needs more "traditions" and cultural flare. I wish the selfish posters here would just ..<deleted>..if you know what an acronym is.

[mickjn]

And so it should be a fitting gesture for a great man.Lady Pla has had tears rolling down her cheeks as big as horse turds

[Crossy]

A post using profanities has been removed along with quotes of it, please remember this is a family oriented forum.

If you can't post without using profanities, please do not post at all.

[fab4]

The dates for Loy Krathong are normally published quite late in the day anyway - this will only add to the confusion.

Loy Krathong is honoured on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. It is not a "published date". Perhaps they can move the full moon?

Thank you Sherlock. I am aware of the the way the date is arrived at. I am talking about the "official" date on which the festival is held on which is "published" on TAT web sites. For example, the official date for Loy Krathong this year is 17th November 2013 (however if you look at the special "Loikrathong" link they provide it turns out to be for 2012 dates) http://www.tatnews.org/eventscalendar/41-event/43-loi-krathong-festival

Unlike you, the average tourist who does not live in Thailand does not have an encyclopedic knowledge of the Thai Lunar Calendar and has to wait until the "official" date is published on the TAT websites. This date is published quite late in the day.