Mr.Smith Palawatvichai, Sukhothai's Vice Governor disclosed “As a former capital city of Siam, Sukhothai is an important province where ancient history and culture of Thailand were made. The province was the original place where the first Loi Kratong event was conducted since 13th century while the annual Loi Kratong and Candle Festival was consecutively held in Sukhothai for more than 36 years. It is an important tradition conducted to preserve traditional art & cultural scene of the province while at the same time reflect the golden years of rich civilization and traditional way of life in Sukhothai Kingdom to tourists and Thais in general. More importantly, as this year is the year of happiness and wealth, the province, therefore, celebrates with a traditional firework which will be lighted continuously for more than 1 and a half hour in order to impress Thai and foreign tourists that come visit a place where the morning light of happiness is shining.”
Apart from the traditional firework, more highlighted activities during the Loi Kratong and Candle Festival 2012 include a showcase of 10 sets of candles and kratongs bestowed by His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the royal family. These kratongs will be floated first at the opening of the festival. A series of Thai traditional performances included the one with a script verified by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn herself are to conduct near Wat Mahathat inside Sukhothai Historical Park.
The script that has been verified by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is called “The Prosperity of the Sukhothai Kingdom”. It is a story about when Pho Khun Ram Khamhaeng, former King of the Phra Ruang Dynasty, won the battle with Governor of Chod province and brought prosperity to the city of Sukhothai that it has become the first capital city of Thailand.
The organizer has carefully created a great sound and lighting system with international standard of special effects allowing the performance to be as realistic as it can be. The lighting especially is very special as it comes from a series of fireworks lighted throughout the show. This is not to mention that there will be a Nang Noppamas competition in honour of the original Nang Noppamas which was the first concubine of the King who has done many good deeds that the King has appointed her as “Tao Sri Chulalak”. In the past, she has written a book about principles of how to become a good concubine as well as a good lady-in-waiting. The book contained stories of Thai traditions like how to make kratong in a shape of lotus to be used for members of the royal family during Loi Kratong festival. The tradition of making kratong is what continues to be doing until today while the Nang Noppamas competition is a tradition carried on to pay respect to the merit that Tao Sri Chulalak has been done in her lifetime. And any girl who receives the title of Nang Noppamas is receiving the highest honour just like Tao Sri Chulalak has received.
“Loi Kratong and Candle Festival is a traditional event in Sukhothai which has been conducted annually in order to attract tourists across the country as well as foreigners to come witness and celebrate the originality of Thai traditional culture. Though it has been conducted every year, we want to spice things up a bit each time we do it. So to speak, as we have a series of interesting activities for tourists to join this year, we believe the festival will become a vivid and memorable event for them in years to come,” said Sukhothai's Vice Governor.
Office of the Sukhothai Province
www.sukhothai.go.th
Tel. 0 5561 1196 Fax. 0 5561 1196
For ticket reservation, please contact:
Internal Audit Department, Sukhothai Provincial Hall, 2nd floor
Tel. 0 5561 0530
Or Khun Katesuwan: 081 886 2955