Tourism
in Thailand's northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani hit a record high
during the lead-up to Buddhist Lent, as a result of an influx of tourists
intending to see the Candle Festival.
Khao Phansaa or Buddhist Lent officially begins Tuesday 11.7.2006, but
Thailand's faithful--and many tourists--converge on the city 630 km
east-north-east of the Thai capital of
Bangkok for the province's
candle festival, the greatest of its kind in the predominantly Buddhist
kingdom.
Annually held to mark the beginning of Buddhist Lent during which
Buddhist monks 'retreat' to their temples for three months, the Candle
Festival features a procession of ornately-carved traditional beeswax
candles of various shapes and sizes.
Four thousand rooms at hotels, resorts and guest houses across the
province were fully booked, both foreigners and Thais, who mainly travel
with their families.
More buses were scheduled to carry Buddhist tourists from neighbouring
Laos who crossed the border
to witness the crafted candles and play a role in varied religious and
cultural events related to the Buddhist heritage shared by both countries.
According to Thai tourist officials, Ubon's tourism during Buddhist lent
this year is more lively than last year because the government have
scheduled four consecutive public holidays, and special activities in which
tourists are 'guided' to visit the province's seven communities of candle
manufacturing craftsmen. |