Illuminated Boat Procession. (Thailand Local Custom)

Illuminated Boat Procession (Local Custom) at Nakhon Phanom.

Illuminated Boat Procession (Local Custom) at Nakhon Phanom

Illuminated Boat on The Mae Khong River

          "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 it that the Lord Buddha travelled to the banks of the 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 an important place of pilgrimage and worship. The people in Nakhon Phanom then organised the illuminated boat festival on the end of Lent every year.

Colorful Celebrations at Phra Dhatu Phanom

       In 1983, the Nakhon Phanom municipal committee reintroduced the Illuminated Boat Procession. They persuaded government agencies, businessmen and citizens to submit the lit boats for a competition.

       Four years later, the Governor organised the Phra Dhatu Phanom festival on the occasion of the end of Lent. The governor at that time, presided over the ceremony, which enjoyed excellent attendance.

       At that function, dances performed by descendents from many tribes in the Nakhon Phanom area were unveiled, such as the Kotaburana dance handed down from the ancient Sri Kotaburana Empire (use only actresses). Other dances were displayed by native tribes, including the Poo Tai of Renoo Nakhon District, with gestures inspired by animals; the Yor tribe in their colorful costumes; the Saek and their lively "Saek Ten Sak" (The Bamboo Dance); and the Soh in their "Tung Bung" set the exciting grand finale.

        That first festival featured over 100 talented performers, which spread the renown of the ceremony into the popular attraction it has become today.