Loy Kratong Comes Early for Chinese Tourists in Chiang Mai
By Khaosod English


Chinese tourists in Chiang Mai celebrate a mock Loy Kratong festival five months early, 25 June 2015.

CHIANG MAI — A travel company for Chinese tourists in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai is celebrating Loy Kratong - the Thai floating lantern festival - five months early this year.

The company held a mock Loy Kratong festival for around 30 Chinese tourists on the bank of Ping River near Pa Daed Bridge yesterday evening, attracting curious attention from some Chiang Mai residents in the area, as Loy Kratong is normally held on a full moon in November. The tourists left the area on a bus after the ceremony was over.

Photos of the incident also went viral on social media, with some commentators praising the company for teaching Thai culture to the tourists, and others expressing concern that the river will be polluted by kratong (floating lanterns made of banana leafs) if too many Chinese tourists follow the example.

Wallop Namwongprom, a member of the Cultural Committee of Chiang Mai Province, said he has seen photos of the Loy Kratong festival and believes it is a "gimmick" by the tour company to draw tourists.

"Releasing hot air lanterns is forbidden, so the company may have resorted to only floating the kratong, so that tourists can engage in Thai traditions and take photos," Wallop said.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1435308136

-- Khaosod English 2015-06-26

others expressing concern that the river will be polluted by kratong (floating lanterns made of banana leafs) if too many Chinese tourists follow the example.

Because only Thais are allowed to pollute the river (and the skies for that matter).

A one night celebration will now be held daily.

Wait until they start celebrating songkran at Tapae Gate daily

...'gimmick'....

...they seem to know that word well.....