The Loy Krathong festival will be celebrated across the country tonight, with people from all walks of life flocking to watercourses to float their “krathong”.
Their Majesties the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family started the celebrations in Sukhothai province, by presenting a flame and a lantern to be used in the lighting of krathong candles, which will be floated on a pond in front of the Muang district municipal office.
Acting Sukhothai Provincial Governor Nopparit Sirikosol will lead officials and members of the public at the event.
Meanwhile, the Chao Phraya River, canals and several public parks have been designated for Loy Krathong celebrations, as the Bangkok Municipal Administration urges revellers to refrain from using krathongs made of bread or Styrofoam to protect the environment.
Numerous temples are also open to the public for the celebrations. A highlight of Loy Krathong is the bathing in sacred water, at around midnight tonight at Suthat Temple, during which monks pour sacred water on revellers at a chapel in the temple.
Police have been deployed to provide security at official celebration sites and have prohibited the use of fireworks of any kind. Marine police and Marine Department officials will be on patrol along the Chao Phraya River.
In Phuket province, municipal officials have imposed a ban on the floating of krathongs in the sea, for the safety of dugongs. An artificial pond, about six metres wide and 60m, long has been built in front of Patong Beach on which revellers can float their krathongs.
A campaign was also launched days ahead of the Loy Krathong celebrations today, to encourage people not to float krathongs in the sea.
At Tha Chatchai, in Mai Khao sub-district, residents have decided not to float krathongs this evening, but to release fish into the sea instead.
About 600 plastic bags containing fish fry have been prepared for revellers for release.
Emergency services hotline numbers are 191, 1669 for emergency medical help, 1196 for accidents in rivers or canals and 199 for the firefighting service.
