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Under the mesmerizing glow of the full moon, the bewitching festival of Loy Krathong springs to life, igniting the waterways of Thailand with reverence and beauty each year. The night sky of the 12th lunar month—this year on November 27th—watches as thousands of krathongs, intricately-decorated floating offerings, are delicately placed onto the shimmering surfaces of rivers and lakes. It’s a spectacle of light and tradition, as Thai people honor Phra Mae Khongkh, the Goddess of Water, expressing their gratitude and seeking forgiveness for any transgressions against her crystalline realms.
The ancient city of Sukhothai, a tapestry of historical splendor, has been at the heart of these celebrations since November 18th. The festivities have unfolded in the embracing arms of the Sukhothai Historical Park, where history whispers from the ruins and revelry dances in Muang district.
In a moment of royal grace, the Prime Minister, alongside his wife, set afloat a krathong blessed by His Majesty the King. In the reflective quietude that follows, they are then enveloped by an enchanting light and sound spectacle. Standing beside them, deputy prime minister Somsak Thepsutin—a son of Sukhothai soil—beams with hometown pride as he welcomes the esteemed party.
The visit takes a pragmatic turn as they venture on to witness the birth of resilience—a dam taking shape at the Yom River bridge in Si Samrong district. This steel and concrete colossus stands as a guardian against the fury of floods, a testament to the province’s forward-thinking measures. The group listens intently as the ripples of Sukhothai Public Park play host to the latest briefings on the water situation by local prophets of precipitation.
Amidst these earnest duties, a moment of camaraderie unfurls as Srettha is met with the athletic heroes of Sukhothai FC. The footballers honor their visitor not with a krathong but with a token of shared dreams—a jersey emblazoned with his name and the auspicious number 30, symbolizing his influential journey as the nation’s 30th prime minister.
Thus, as the Loy Krathong festival blends the past with the present, Sukhothai becomes a stage where official duties serenade folklore, and water’s edge becomes the canvas for a nation’s perennial dance with nature and heritage. Indeed, just as the krathongs carry away follies and woes to the forgiving heart of the waters, so does Sukhothai reflect the enduring cycle of contemplation and celebration—a festive spirit that ebbs and flows with the timeless current of Thai culture.
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