Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome
announces the start of this year’s Loy Krathong festivities at Bali Hai, as
high ranking police officials along with TAT staff and city councilors cheer
him on.
Staff reporters
Tradition triumphed over rain as Pattaya celebrated Loy Krathong
with beauty contests, children’s shows and floating lanterns.
Top city, police and tourism officials led Pattaya’s official holiday
celebration at Bali Hai Pier Nov. 28, which featured a child pageant,
cultural shows and musical performances.
In the “Nang Noppamas” contest, 7-year-old Waralak Uthaensut won the
10,000-baht first-place prize for her performance of “Phra Baramee Maha
Bhumibol” (Virtuous King Bhumibol). Lolana Chanarat, 7, performed a
slow-motion walk with “Phaendin Thong Siam Naeramit” (Magical Land of Siam),
winning 7,000 baht for second place while Nongnaphas Phiengphitak, 7, took
third.
The Yukolthum performing artists entertained by putting on a colorful show
about the ancient history of Loy Krathong, known in the Sukhothai era as
“Jomprieng”. Olives and Zeal provided the musical soundtrack.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome
ceremonially floats the first krathong at Bali Hai to officially kick off
this year’s Loy Krathong celebrations.
Despite afternoon and evening rain, the celebrations
spread out across the city, with Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh presiding
over a “Theppabut Thepthida Duanpen” (Full Moon Boy and Girl Angel) contest
at Royal Garden Plaza. Jarasrawee Thiemrat from Chonburi Kindergarten School
and Jardina Frank, 9, from Satitudomsuksa School in Pattaya each won 6,000
first-place prizes.
Later at the mall, the Lions Club of Pattaya-Taksin organized a blood drive,
which collected 31,500 cc. of blood by 8 p.m.
Area hotels, such as the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort, put on parties
for their guests. General Manager Andre Brulhart served as master of
ceremonies at Centara’s Miss Noppamas pageant for women. The contest was
followed by the lighting of floating lamps and release of krathongs.
Krathongs floated on and above the water all around Pattaya, with vendors
offering boats of flowers and incense for as little as 50 baht. Women
dressed in traditional Thai costumes and couples waded out into the water to
send their romantic wishes afloat.
The Pattaya Floating Market also proved a popular dispatch point for
krathongs. The amusement attraction organized its own beauty pageant, with
Saeleen Luthero, 21, winning first prize on the floating stage. Panthita
Khomsamrit, 16, and Anchalee Wilkatch, 16, were runners up.
Waralak Uthaensut, 7, who won
the Nang Noppamas contest at Bali Hai with her performance of Phra Baramee
Maha Bhumibol (Virtuous King Bhumibol), receives her prizes from Mayor
Itthiphol Kunplome.
Tourists prepare to release
their khomloys for the first time.
Pattaya Floating Market Nang
Noppamas contestants (L to R) 1st runner-up Panthita Khomsamrit, 16, winner
Saeleen Luthero, 21, and 2nd runner up Anchalee Wilkatch, 16, prepare to loy
their krathongs.
Tourists at Nong Nooch
Tropical Gardens float their krathongs.
Tourists light the candles and
make their wish.
Lovely lasses create a
picture perfect postcard of their Loy Krathong experience at Bali Hai in
South Pattaya.
Dozens of khomloys are
released into the night sky.
This scene from Loy Krathong
last week is typical along Pattaya Beach on all major holidays - smoke fills
the air from unregistered fireworks being shot off, up and down the beach,
with the area sometimes resembling a war zone.
Many khomloys are lit at Nong
Nooch Tropical Gardens, ready for release.
A smile as bright as the local
fireworks.
The Udom Bay Chonburi
Yukolthum Performing Arts team gives a moving performance of an ancient Loy
Krathong celebration, known in the Sukhothai era as “Jomprieng”.
The Olive Girls get hearts
racing with their performance at Bali Hai.
Winner of the Theppabut
Thepthida Duanpen (Full Moon Angel, girl) contest Jardina Frank, 9, from
Satitudomsuksa School, Pattaya, receives the spoils of victory from Lions
Club of Pattaya Taksin President Pacharanon Canachotphokin (2nd right) and
Pattaya city council member Banjong Banthunprayukt (3rd right) along with
members of the Lions Club at Royal Garden Plaza.
A grandmother with her family
behind her prays before releasing her krathong.
Winner of the Theppabut
Thepthida Duanpen (Full Moon Angel, boy) contest Jarasrawee Thiemrat, from
Chonburi Kindergarten, receives his prizes from Pattaya city council member
Banjong Banthunprayukt at Royal Garden Plaza.
Revelers prepare to release
their Khomloy on Pattaya Beach.
Pattaya students donate blood
as part of the Loy Krathong celebrations at Royal Garden Plaza.
Andre Brulhart (2nd right),
General Manager of Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, awards the
winners of resort’s Nang Noppamas contest.
The Loy Krathong celebrations
at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya feature a magical Thai dance.
The beach cleaners will have
their work cut out for them come morning.