Loi Krathong Festival

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Schedule : 19 November 2002

Venue : Chao Phraya River, Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Center, Amphoe Bang Sai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Origin :
The Loi Krathong Festival is a lively tradition that is held simultaneously nationwide on the 15th full-moon night of November.
The festival is an annual event that Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province holds to generate an atmosphere of Ayutthaya in its glory days. Many cultural performances impress tourists who visit.

Activities :
- Miss Nopphamat pageant and a procession of ancient Miss Nopphamats from the 4 regions.
- Thai food contest, sales of handicrafts and products and a replica floating market.
- Fireworks and floating lanterns.
- Traditional and international long boat races.

Nearby Tourist Spots :
- Bang Pa-in Palace (Bang Pa-in)
	has many interesting buildings like Aisawan Thiphayaat Throne Hall, Warophat Phiman Throne Hall and Utthayan Phumisathian Throne Hall.
- Wat Niwet Thammaprawat (Bang Pa-in)
	was built by the command of King Rama V to resemble a Western church in 1878. The building has a Gothic style and is decorated with lovely stained glass.
- Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya)
	is a temple that was built prior to the Ayutthaya period. Luang Pho To or Phra Chao Phanan Choeng Buddha image is the main image of this temple.
- Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya)
	has a pagoda that King Naresuan the Great renovated to mark his victory in a battle on elephant back.
- Ayutthaya Historical Study Center (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya)
	is a research institute and museum about the Ayutthaya Empire. There is a miniature of the old capital. New technology has been used to display exhibits to enable visitors to easily understand the way of life of Ayutthaya people in the past.
- Chao Sam Phraya National Museum (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya)
	is the first museum in Thailand to incorporate a new style of display in that there are not too many exhibits and colored lights are used to generate interest.
- Chan Kasem Palace or Na Palace (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya)
	is on the bank of Pa Sak River in the northeastern corner of the island city. Built in 1569, it is now the Chan Kasem National Museum.

For more information, contact :
- Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Center.
	Tel. (035) 366090, fax (035) 366091
- TAT Central Region Office: Area 6 (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya).
	Tel. (035) 246076-7, fax (035) 246078