Combining the best

Whenever many fun jamborees are being planned, the list of distinguished guests often includes four-legged hairy participants who are likely to enliven the event and put happy smiles on countless faces, dog lovers in particular.

The latest two festivals - Halloween and Loy Kratong - that took place last month were no exception. The atmosphere associated with them sprinkled a shower of happiness over all the attendees at the Joint Halloween-Loy Kratong Carousal for Dogs, the first of its kind.

The highlights of the celebration were "scrumptious yet spooky" gimmicks that surely tugged at the heart strings of the hairy fair-goers and their owners. A ghost house was set up at the centre of the party venue for dogs and their guardians to experience a spine-chilling ambience. At night, the entire zone turned more eerie with the screening of two famous ghost movies - Nang Nak (the animated version) and See Praeng (Four Crossroads). And before the party ended, all the canine guests dined at a delightful buffet, as did their owners.

According to Somwang Kulsucharitsup, the deputy managing director of International Pet Food Co Ltd, the idea of celebrating the two festivals simultaneously was part of the company's campaign to enable dogs and their owners to enjoy happy times together in a special place open to four-legged guests.

"Our company's slogan is 'Treating Dogs as Humans'. Nowadays, most people who keep dogs consider them as their friends and members of their family. So, we wanted to offer a channel where dog lovers could take part in activities together with their pet," Mr Somwang said.

Previously, the company had held many activities to pamper both dogs and their keepers, including "Pa Nong Mah Pai Do Nang" (Take Your Dog to a Movie) and "Pa Nong Mah Ma Tang Ngarn" (Take Your Dog to Get Married), both of which attracted the attention of the media.

When the time to commemorate Halloween and Loy Kratong arrived, Mr Somwang and a lot of other dog enthusiasts did not miss the opportunity to initiate another canine campaign.

But why combine the two different festivities together? "Halloween is a western tradition that has been adopted by many Thais. But we wanted to promote our culture, too.

"I thought that the two events could be harmoniously blended together, and the result was gratifying and fabulous, if I may say so myself," said Mr Somwang.

Unsurprisingly, that evening dogs dressed up as Nang Noppamat and "ghosts" could be seen wandering and sauntering side by side everywhere on the merrymaking site.

And, of course, the venue chosen for the celebration outing was none other than Crystal Park, the shopping centre where dogs are always welcomed as special guests.

Mayuree Eiamsakulrat, the executive director of Crystal Park, said all the zones in the park are open to dogs and their owners.

"Nowadays, dogs are not viewed as mere animals. They are looked upon as friends and members of the family. This being the case, our policy is to manage our park as the rendezvous point of all dog devotees," said Ms Mayuree.

A big "thank you" goes to Pringprow Mongprachachon, director of PAT Pet World, who is always behind any unusual and memorable canine campaigns. Ms Pringprow contributed a lot to the success of that evening's function.

"Personally, I'm a dog lover. So I want to provide the good things in life to all dogs. We want to see dog owners share happy moments and quality time with their beloved pet," said Ms Pringprow.

For sure, all the festival-goers really had a good time. Both Sarayut Linwic and his dog looked scary yet lovely in their Halloween garments. "The event was marvellous. I enjoyed it tremendously. For me, dressing up a dog to be a ghost was so challenging and enjoyable. My once-lovely dog was transformed into a scary canine, but a cute, scary one," he said.

Some of the ghastly costumes that night must have frightened a number of the dogs there, said Mr Sarayut.

"In truth, a Thai ghost is more frightening than a western one. It can scare anyone and any dog who sees it. Even those who wear a Thai ghost costume are likely to shiver at the thought of being inside it. My pet and I were delighted to dress up as Thai ghosts. I like to think that we helped to preserve this part of Thai culture," he said.

Apart from having the opportunity to enjoy a western festivity like Halloween, all the dogs and their misters and mistresses that night were also invited as VIP guests to join in celebrating the traditional Thai festival of Loy Kratong.

Suchada Vaiyanat, one of the women at the party chosen as a Nang Noppamat (the name of the most beautiful woman at any Loy Kratong function), was overwhelmed and thrilled by the rare chance of being able to celebrate Loy Kratong with her darling pet.

"I was so happy to be at the festivity with my Shi Tzu. Normally, I have to carry a kratong at a Loy Kratong get-together, but this time I got to hold my dog instead. I dressed up my dog in a traditional Thai costume in keeping with the spirit of the festival," she said.

Nicha Thattharasoemphong, another Nang Noppamat, experienced the same happiness as Ms Suchada and has many fond memories of the event.

"What impressed me most was that it was the first event that allowed dogs to play a significant part in celebrating Loy Kratong. That fact alone gave a sense of great joy and incredible bliss," she said.

An owner of several species of dogs, Ms Nicha decided to take her chihuahua to the full-moon-night party.

"I settled on my chihuahua because she is so light. If I took a heavier dog, it would not float, but sink," she added, laughing.

Relate Search: Halloween and Loy Kratong, Joint Halloween-Loy Kratong Carousal for Dogs