On 8 November 2014 Ambassador Nopadol Gunavibool and his wife along with officers from the Embassy joined the Loy Krathong Festival at Zaal Zuhdove in Koekelare, organized by the Thai-Flemish Friendship Association Koekelare. The fun-filled evening was well-attended by Thais and Belgians who came together to celebrate the Loy Krathong Festival.
The program included a competition for the best decorated “krathong” (small basket or boat), a Miss Loy Krathong competition and tombola lucky draw. Mr. Luc Bossy, Chairman, Mr. Jean-Pierre Herman and Mr. Wouter Gijs, board members of the Thai-Flemish Friendship Association warmly welcomed Ambassador Nopadol Gunavibool and officers from the Embassy. Mrs. Chulamanee Chartsuwan, Minister, presented the prizes to the winners of the best decorated krathong before Ambassador Nopadol and his wife joined the floating of krathongs at the pond.
Loy Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar which usually falls in November. The Loy Krathong Festival is a chance to give thanks to the Water Goddess at the end of the main rice harvest season, and also a time to symbolically “float away” the anger and grudges you have. A wish is often made before the krathong is floated into a river or pond.
