LAMHUN: The only procession of its kind in the world, the Kae Luang Procession Tradition in Ban Hong District, Lamphun Province, is celebrated as a unique Buddhist offering during the Loi Krathong festival. This tradition, distinct from other celebrations, involves villagers from every community in Ban Hong District collaborating to create “Kae Luang” using natural materials like bamboo, logs, cloth, banana leaves, and paper.

According to Thai News Agency, the Kae Luang creations are adorned with flowers and lanterns, varying in size from a few centimeters to over three meters in height. These are then paraded to the Ban Hong District Office, forming a procession no less than three kilometers long. Monks from various temples lead the procession, which is accompanied by drum circles, gongs, cymbals, traditional dances, and a series of vibrant parades. The festival officially begins with an opening ceremony conducted by local government agencies. Following this, villagers return to their communities with their
Kae Luang, which are then offered to monks at local temples during the festival.

In Chiang Mai, a significant number of dancers, including participants as young as four and as old as eighty, along with foreign residents, rehearse the candle dance as a tribute to the city. This dance, involving over 700 performers, is part of the annual Yi Peng festival. Participants will perform at the Three Kings Monument and light traditional offerings at key city intersections according to the Lanna way of life.

Meanwhile, the Chiang Mai Municipality is actively preparing for the Yee Peng festival by decorating the Mae Kha Canal with lanterns shaped like fish and flowers, as well as floating krathongs. This decoration aims to enhance the festival’s appeal to tourists and provide an authentic Lanna cultural experience.