Illuminated Boat Procession (local customs)

Illuminated Boat Procession is in fact the same ceremony as the Loy Krathong festival in other regions of Thailand. It is organised annually to mark the end of Buddhist Lent in Nakhon Phanom as a world famous festival.

The festival has its roots in the legend of Phra Dhatu Phanom, known as the tale of Urangka Dhatu. The story has Numthanathee River, abode of the magical 5 - headed Naga snake. The Naga invited the Buddha to visit his underwater world. Upon his return, the Naga asked the Buddha to leave his footprint on the river bank. To this day, the Buddha's Footprint is and important place of pilgrimage and worship. The people in Nakhon Phanom the organised the illuminated boat festival on the end of Lent every year.

Location : Nakhon Phanom