PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya City held its grand annual Loy Krathong celebration under the theme “The Flow of Eternal Loyalty” at Lan Pho Public Park in Naklua. The event was presided over by Deputy Mayor Wuthisak Rermkijakarn, joined by Pattaya City Council members, officials, and a large crowd of residents and visitors who gathered to celebrate one of Thailand’s most cherished traditions.
Loy Krathong, celebrated on the full moon of the 12th lunar month, is a time-honored Thai festival where people float decorative baskets on water to pay respects to the Goddess of the River, Phra Mae Khongkha, and to symbolically let go of misfortune and sorrow for good luck and renewal.
This year’s celebration was dedicated to honoring and remembering the boundless grace of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, featuring a minute of silence, a royal documentary screening, and a special exhibition titled “Her Majesty Queen Mother”, along with a condolence signing area for the public.
In an effort to protect the environment, Pattaya City promoted the campaign “Don’t Float Krathongs in the Sea”, setting up a 9×12-meter artificial pond within the event grounds for visitors to float their krathongs instead. The initiative aimed to reduce marine waste and preserve the city’s scenic beaches.
The evening was filled with beauty, reverence, and cultural charm as participants dressed in traditional Thai attire and mourning colors to express their respect for the late Queen Mother. The highlight of the night featured a live performance by popular Thai country singer Tai Orathai, who moved audiences with heartfelt renditions of royal compositions and songs celebrating maternal love and loyalty.
Pattaya City reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the Loy Krathong tradition while integrating values of environmental consciousness and royal devotion — ensuring that the river of faith and love for the monarchy continues to flow eternally.
To maintain cleanliness after the festivities, the Pattaya Natural Resources and Environment Office deployed eight boats to collect krathongs from the sea between 7 PM and 10 PM, covering three main areas to keep Pattaya’s waters clean and welcoming for visitors.
