Quiet celebrations for Loy Krathong, Christmas and New Years

The nation quietly celebrated the Loy Krathong festival Monday night without the usual fireworks and entertainment and government leaders want Christmas and New Years to be the same.

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Loy Krathong sets muted tone for year

Post Reporters

The government has said Christmas and New Year festivities can be organised but any entertainment activities should be toned down.

The suggestion came after the nation quietly celebrated the Loy Krathong festival Monday night without the usual fireworks and entertainment since the nation is still in mourning a full month after His Majesty the King's passing.

Many Loy Krathong sites went ahead with the annual festival but dedicated the tradition of floating a krathong on waterways, to remembering His Majesty the late King.

Traditional and cultural activities recommended by the National Culture Committee to be observed during the Loy Krathong day festival included Buddhist-style merit-making, dhamma practice and listening to prayers, said Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn.

He was speaking after chairing a committee meeting Monday.

Well-behaved children at Phadung Krung Kasem. THANARAK KHUNTON

The committee recommended not staging the Nang Nopphamat beauty contest and other fanfare events such as fireworks and concerts, he said.

For the coming Christmas and New Year festivals, Gen Tanasak said they can be held but organisers have been asked to keep entertainment activities respectful. "I believe every Thai has discretion and knows how to act appropriately during this time of mourning," he said.

In response to the committee's recommendations, Wanthani Watthana, a Bangkok deputy clerk, said no formal Loy Krathong celebration was organised in areas around the Grand Palace this year.

People floated their krathongs quietly at nearby piers such as Tha Phrachan, Tha Chang, Tha Maharat or Tha Tian, said Ms Wanthani.

Loy Krathong celebration sites closest to the palace were situated underneath Rama VIII Bridge, Santi Chai Prakan Park and Phra Athit Road, which also decided to skip entertainment activities and instead adopted a theme that reflected mourning, she said.

A total of 28 public parks in the capital were open until midnight Monday to allow people to go and float their krathongs.

A ceremony for King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the ancient city of Sukhothai.PHUBES FAAYTHE

In Sukhothai, one of the country's best-known sites for celebrating Loy Krathong, people floated their krathong solemnly to remember the late King.

No entertainment activities were held like in past years.

Chiang Mai, which is renowned for its Lanna-style Loy Krathong festival, known as Yi Peng, to turn the festival into an event to remember His Majesty as well.

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