Nakhon Phanom Illuminated Boat Procession

The illuminated boat procession or ‘Lai Ruea Fai’ event is a tradition related to the legend about the end of Buddhist Lent which has it that the Lord Buddha spent the entire period of Buddhist Lent in Heaven and returned to Earth at the end. To pay respect and welcome the Lord Buddha, Ruea Fai or fire boats decorated with flowers, incense sticks, candles, and lanterns are launched on the Mekong River in the evening. It is also believed that this ceremony will bring sadness and bad things in life away with the river. There will be the boats which are impressively constructed and decorated along the Khong River.