The Mekong River will shine as part of the annual Illuminated Boat Procession Festival in Nakhon Phanom, from today until Oct 18, marking the end of Buddhist Lent.
Generations have carried on the Lai Rue custom, and local craftsmen have developed methods to produce a procession of ostentatious boats adorned with thousands of lights, symbolising the glory and brightness of life. According to local beliefs, boats have been used to worship the Lord Buddha's footprints and the Chulamanee pagoda in heaven, as well as to show dedication to the goddess of water.
Visitors can view a procession of 12 splendid illuminated boats from 12 districts on Oct 17. As part of the celebration, this year the Tourism Authority of Thailand will showcase eight boats with a light and sound show every night. They are inspired by eight holy stupas which house Buddha's relics and symbolise birthdays. There will also be a variety of charming cultural performances by students and local artists at Phanom Naga Park.
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Sakon Nakhon pays homage to Lord Buddha
To pay homage to the Lord Buddha, Sakon Nakhon province will organise the Wax Castle Festival and Long Boat Race between Saturday and Oct 17 to highlight top-notch craftsmanship and rich cultural heritage.
The traditional longboat competition will take place on the Nong Han Reservoir on Saturday and Sunday to kick off the celebration. On Oct 16, a procession of the best beeswax castles will march to Wat Phra That Choeng Chum in accordance with Buddhist precepts. Both tourists and local worshippers can participate in a variety of religious rituals, cultural performances, food markets and beauty pageants during the day.
Wat Phra That Choeng Chum is believed to have been built in the 11th century by Phaya Suwannaphingkhan to conceal the footsteps of four Buddhas. Originally built in the Khmer style, the stupa was replaced in the 15th century by a 24m-high Lan Xang-style building.
Until the end of the month, all wax castles will be on display at Wat Phra That Choeng Chum and temples in various communities.
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Six Senses Samui celebrates 20th anniversary
Six Senses Samui is celebrating its 20th anniversary by providing guests staying for three nights in November with savings of 20% on lodging, services and activities around the resort. The discount will be used on food and drinks at all of the resort's restaurants and bars, selected spa treatments, Samui Airport transfer, private wellness sessions and Thai cookery classes.
The resort also provides a range of complimentary activities including DIY lemongrass straws, a sustainability walk around Farm on the Hill, or a herbal inhaler workshop at Alchemy Bar.
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Silavadee Pool Spa Resort receives ISO certification
Silavadee Pool Spa Resort on Koh Samui recently received ISO 22000:2024 certification, the international standard for food safety control and management covering all stages from sourcing, production and storage to food service.
The resort has adopted these principles to do its best to upgrade the quality of food service to meet international standards. In addition to the food safety standards, sustainability is also a key focus, as well as supporting communities on Koh Samui.
The resort has a good relationship with business partners and communities to obtain ingredients that meet standards and protect the environment at the same time. This has led to its farm-to-table concept in creating various dishes to emphasise that the resort prioritises both safety and environmental impact.
