Held in celebration of the end of Buddhist Lent and Buddha’s return to earth, the yearly Lai Ruea Fai festival, or illuminated boat procession, is one of the most famous celebrations in northeast Thailand held in the city of Nakhon Phanom. Highlights include decorated boats filled with thousands of lit candles, flowers, incense and paper lanterns that get set alight and launched down the Mekong River at night. Other fun activities of Lai Ruea Fai include scrumptious food stalls, fireworks, religious offerings, dancing and cultural performances. The atmosphere of this festival is one of great delight and excitement and well worth a visit during any holiday to Thailand.
