Bangkok, 29.10.2013 – State organisations and the private sector may proceed with annual Loi Krathong celebrations, which fall on November 17 despite the nation being in mourning for the Supreme Patriarch.

Prime Minister’s Office secretary-general Tongthong Chandransu said the government has not imposed a ban on festive activities following the passing of the Supreme Patriarch on October 24.

State and private agencies can organise Loi Krathong celebrations as they see fit, he said.

Earlier, the Tourism Authority of Thailand postponed its annual Loi Krathong celebrations after the government extended the official mourning period to November 23.

Loi Krathong is the most charming of Thai festivals and goes back over 700 years to the Sukhothai period. In the North called Yi Peng, a procession of beautiful maidens and floats parades through the city of Chiang Mai to the Mae Ping River to venerate the water goddess.  AT/Reinhard Hohler