Bangkok: The grand Ubon Ratchathani Candle Procession Festival, marking its 125th anniversary, is being held at Thung Sri Mueang. Today's event commenced with the royal candle floats, royal rain-bathing cloths, and the presentation of royal trophies in the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Float Competition.
According to Thai News Agency, the festival features a performance by students from Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University and Ubon Ratchathani University, who showcased dance movements. The celebration continued with a parade of winning candle floats from last year's competition in the large-scale carving category, followed by the procession of candle floats competing in this year's contest. The contest includes three categories: carving, printed, and traditional, with subcategories for large, medium, and small sizes.
This year, 46 candle floats are part of the procession. Each float is accompanied by singing and dancing, with Northeastern Thai folk music, and features large candles with intricate designs. The candle wax reflects sunlight, appearing vibrant. Surrounding the candles are figures from Buddhism, including dancing goddesses and mythical creatures, depicting stories from the Jataka tales. This display highlights the collaborative effort of artisans and community members, continuing a tradition passed down through generations.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has recognized the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival as one of the three Signature Thailand Events, aiming to attract tourists globally.