Heavy Hat Yai hotel bookings for Loy Krathong festival

SONGKHLA: -- Hotel bookings in Hat Yai district here have picked up for next month's Loy Krathong festival which falls on November 5 as numbers of Malaysian tourists plan to visit the district, Somchart Pimtanapoonpol, president of Hat Yai-Songkhla Hotels Association said on Saturday.

Tourism in Hat Yai declined significantly after six bombs exploded at entertainment venues on September 16, killing five persons, including a Canadian school teacher, and wounding about 70 others.

But the tourism business in Hat Yai, known as a paradise for both shopping and night-oriented entertainment for tourists, has begun to improve with hotel bookings, mainly by Malaysian tourists who plan to attend the festival, which is held annually, Mr. Somchart said.

On Loy Krathong night, people traditionally float their krathongs, or 'floating prayers'-- offerings of flowers, candles and incense, on streams and rivers to show gratitude to the Goddess of Water and ask her for forgiveness for improper use of the river and water resources during the preceding year.

Meanwhile, Anant Prueksanusak, deputy mayor of Sadao district, said his district bordering Malaysia would celebrate Loy Krathong on November 4 and 5.

Several events including a beauty contest, student exhibitions and movies will be held during the celebrations, he said.

--TNA 2006-10-14

Heavy Hat Yai hotel bookings for Loy Krathong festival

SONGKHLA: -- Hotel bookings in Hat Yai district here have picked up for next month's Loy Krathong festival which falls on November 5 as numbers of Malaysian tourists plan to visit the district, Somchart Pimtanapoonpol, president of Hat Yai-Songkhla Hotels Association said on Saturday.

Gotta get that message out that everything's back to normal a mere four weeks after the multiple bombings. Spin, spin, spin...