Community invited to traditional Thai festival "Loy Krathong"

Traditional Thai dancing and a demonstration of Thai boxing will mark the celebration of the Loy Krathong Festival at the main University of Queensland lake at St Lucia on Friday, September 17.

"The festival of the floating candles has been one of the most popular and delightful annual festivals in Thailand for some 700 years ago," said UQ Thai Students' Association vice-president Manit Kungsadalpipob.

This year's festival, hosted by the Thai Students' Association of Queensland, will feature Thai classical music performances, light and sound show, Thai costume contests, traditional foods and Thai beer, and lucky draws with the biggest prize, a return air ticket Brisbane-Bangkok.

A highlight of the evening will be the demonstration of Krathong - candles encased in banana-leaf boats which are set afloat on the lake.

Mr Kungsadalpipob said members of the public were welcome at this joyful festival and encouraged to have the Krathongs set afloat on the lake.

He said Loy Krathong had its origins in the idea of Thanksgiving to "Mae Khong Kha" the water spirit for her bounty in providing water and Thai people believe that as their Krathongs float away, the water washes away their sins of the past year.

The celebrations will run from 5pm to 11pm in the lake area on College Road.

Media: Further information Manit Kungsadalpipob telephone 3876 1445.