Nakhon Phanom:Nakhon Phanom is bustling with tourists eagerly awaiting the spectacular "illuminated boat show" before the end of Buddhist Lent, as part of the traditional illuminated boat procession held from October 16-27. The highlight, the grand illuminated boat competition, takes place on the full moon night of the 11th lunar month.
According to Thai News Agency, the atmosphere at the Nakhon Phanom Floating Lantern Festival, held from October 16th to 27th, 2026, is vibrant. The highlight will be the grand floating lantern competition, featuring 12 lanterns from all 12 districts on the full moon night of the 11th lunar month (October 26th). These large lanterns will measure approximately 60-80 meters in length and 30-40 meters in height, adorned with nearly 20,000 lanterns.
In the period leading up to the end of Buddhist Lent, Thai and Lao people and tourists alike don't miss the nightly illuminated boat procession. Various universities and the Nakhon Phanom Provincial Administration collaborate to create and showcase these illuminated boats, taking turns to parade each night as a way to attract locals and tourists.
The illuminated boat parade of Nakhon Phanom University has already taken place on two nights, October 16th and 18th, 2026, and will be held again on October 20th, 22nd, 24th, 26th, and 27th, 2026. The event also features booths showcasing the lifestyle of the boat makers and artists, a collaborative effort between students and the community.
Crafting lanterns from discarded coffee cans using local ingenuity, these are filled with various fuel mixtures to create vibrant colors. The lanterns are strung together on intricately designed steel structures to create stunning illuminated boats, rivaling the Songkran festival on the night of the end of Buddhist Lent. The event costs over 300,000 baht per day and emphasizes the power of faith and belief, transforming this into a grand tourism attraction.
Professor Emeritus Dr. Thawatchai Supadit, President of Nakhon Phanom University, stated that the university has a long history of creating illuminated boats. The university conceived the idea of reviving the tradition, recognizing its importance to the lifestyle and culture of the people along the Mekong River. The Nakhon Phanom University display illuminated boat is approximately 60 meters long and 18 meters high, decorated with around 7,900 lantern cans reflecting the unique identity of Nakhon Phanom University and Province. It will float as part of the festival, which runs for seven days, with the main float on October 26, 2026.