Thailand Lantern Festival held despite mourning period

Millions of Thais attended Monday night the annual Lantern Festival at the end of the period of mourning decreed after the death of King, AFP writes. Yi Peng or Yee Peng (local name) is part of the festival of lights in Northern Thailand to show respect to Buddha. Its date usually coincides with Loi Krathong which all of Thailand celebrates using floating lights on water.

Although the mourning period ended on Monday, numerous concerts and festivals scheduled after that date were canceled in Thailand - a country where mourning imposed after the death of King Bhumibol, on October 13, it is treated seriously by the military junta owning the power. However, the Buddhist feast "Loy Krathong" or "Lantern Festival", very popular throughout the kingdom, was not canceled this year offering the opportunity to launch Thai candles on water or to lift lanterns. In Northern Thailand Yi Peng, which is celebrated alongside Loi Krathong, is different in that lights are placed into sky lanterns which float up into the air. Loi Krathong still happens in Chiang Mai but the actual Loi Krathong floating lanterns on water event happens the day/night after Yi Peng.

Still this year there is an important restriction, as explained by Colonel Krissana Pattanacharoen, deputy head of the National Police: firecrackers are banned and violators face a penalty of three years in prison. The lantern tradition is extremely popular in the north, in the city of Chiang Mai, so the annual event attracts thousands of tourists in the village. This year is no exception: according to Thai Tourism Authority, the number of tourists was "not low", despite restrictions imposed.