Thailand to promote Loi Kratong to Middle East
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Dubai, 13 Oct 09 (TravMedia.com): The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced the annual Loi Krathong Sai Festival, which takes place annually throughout Thailand, as one of four major cultural festivals to be specifically promoted to residents of Gulf and Middle Eastern countries. The promotions are part of a comprehensive “7 Wonders of Thailand” campaign which will include highlighting the four major festivals of Loi Krathong (November), Songkran (April), Thailand Grand Sale (June- August) and the Chiang Mai Flower Festival (February).Additionally, music festivals such as the Hua Hin Jazz Festival (June) and the Pattaya International Music Festival (March) are also to be promoted within the Middle East as major Thai attractions.
The Loi Krathong Sai Festival, which is set to take place from 1st- 2nd November 2009 with the first full moon of November throughout Thailand, is held in the evenings and centers around elaborately candle-lit flower and banana leaf offerings into Thailand’s many ponds, rivers, lakes, the ocean and the sky symbolizing the drifting away of ill fortune. The festival, also known as Thai Valentine’s Day, has proven extremely popular with foreign visitors over the years, especially among honeymooners and couples, due to the “romantic” ambience of the festivities, and as a private symbol of “commitment” between couples that no “ill fortune” will come between them.
To coincide with the celebrations, the Tourism Authority of Thailand will conduct a “Thailand Through the Lense” competition, whereby visitors are encouraged to capture the special images of the Loi Krathong Festival and sendthem to the Tourism Authority of Thailand for the chance to win fabulous prizes.
Says Mr. Pramoth Supyen, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Dubai and Middle East Office; “The Loi Krathong Festival is an old annual event dearly loved by all Thais and to be enjoyed by couples and families alike. Its beauty and magical atmosphere is something we especially would like to share with our Middle Eastern friends who have recently been visiting Thailand in increasing numbers. By promoting this festival through a specially dedicated website, we would like to provide those who are yet to visit Thailand a further incentive to visit us with their partner or family. For those who have visited us before but not experienced the Loi Krathong Sai Festival, we encourage them to visit again as this festival is sure to provide all with truly memorable and heart-felt experiences to last a lifetime. No one can witness this magical event and not bemoved by it, hence its popularity with couples.”
The festival name originates from “Loi” meaning “to float” and “Krathong” which is the name of a small raft about a hand-span in diameter traditionally madefrom a section of banana tree trunk decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense sticks. During the festival thousands of people, especially couples converge at rivers, lakes and ponds under the moonlight to float the small lotus-shaped offerings.
Even though the main days of the festival are 1st- 2nd November, the festivities spill into the rest of the month and include other activities such as processions, concerts, cultural performances, craft fairs, spectacular fireworks displays, light and sound presentations, marine sport competitions and traditional beauty queen pageants. As a major festival held throughout the kingdom, the Loi Krathong Festival has been officially designated as the 7th Wonder of the 7 Amazing Wonders of Thailand. Different regions in the North, South, Central, East and North East each observe the festivities in their own unique ways, providing localized twists, such as in Chiang Mai in the North, which is renowned for its candle-lit offerings that are actually launched and float up into the night sky. Details of all the major events, festival practices, images, specially created theme song video and even the opportunity to create one’s own on-line “krathong” can be accessed at the specially designated Loi Krathong Sai Festival website for visitors at: www.loikrathong.net
Says Mr. Pramoth Supyen; “For a taste of the romance of the festival I encourage all to access the Loi Krathong Sai Festival website. With just one look at the website I’m sure most will be captivated. But the real magic can only be felt by visiting Thailand and actually experiencing it with those dear to you.”
The Middle East continues to become an increasingly important source market for Thailand inbound tourism. Through the extra marketing efforts of Thailand’s festivals, value for money experiences and varied attractions within the Middle East, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is targeting an increase in the number of individuals, groups and families from the region to visit Thailand in 2009 compared to 2008.
Thailand continues to provide quality experiences for travelers from around the world and was recently judged in 2008 by the Country Branding Index (CBI), which examines how countries are branded and ranked according to key criteria, as Number 1 in the world for “Value for Money”, Number 3 for both “Authenticity”and “Friendly Locals”, and Number 4 for “Nightlife” and “Shopping”.
The Loy Krathong Festival also known as Thai Valentine’sDay, is celebrated as a private symbol of “commitment” between couples that no”ill fortune” will come between them.
For further details regarding the Loi Krathong Festival contact:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Dubai & Middle East
Office2102 Al Attar Tower, Sheikh Zayed RoadP.O. Box 450019, Dubai,U.A.E
Tel: +971 4 324 0184 Fax: +971 4 325 0187
Email: tatdubai@tat.or.th
URL: www.TourismThailand-Middleast.org www.TourismThailand.org # # #
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