
Illuminated Boat Procession, Thailand
October 28, 2023

“Lai Ruea Fai” marks the end of Buddhist Lent, as the 12 districts of Nakhon Phanom decorate boats with flowers, incense, hand-carved candles, and lanterns and launch them on the Mekong River in the evening. Some boats are actually burned; villagers and tourists sometimes place hair or nails on the boats to be burned, as a reminder of the impermanence of life, destined to end. On most years, Lai Ruea Fai is also accompanied by long-tail boating races, merchant caravans, and a worship dance at the Phra That Phanom stupa. (Thailand Now)
Source: Suriya99 / Photo: Shutterstock.com